Winter Driving Safety: A Presentation for Employers, Supervisors and

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Winter Driving Safety A Presentation for
Employers, Supervisors and Drivers / Workers
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Driving in winter

• Background information
• Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of
  work-related deaths
• Vehicle collision rates in B.C. significantly
  increase between October and December
• Winter roads in can be challenging even for
  experienced drivers
• B.C. winter driving season October 1st - April
  30th

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Everyone is responsible for safety

• Motor vehicles are workplaces
• Make sure you know your health and safety
  responsibilities, including
• - Employers establish, deliver and maintain an
  OHS program that addresses driving risks
• - Supervisors instruct drivers in safe work
  procedures
• - Drivers be safe on the roads follow all laws
  and workplace safety rules report unsafe
  conditions

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Shift into Winter

• Prepare your vehicle
• Make sure it is up to the challenge of winter
  weather
• Prepare yourself
• Driving in winter puts you at greater risk of
  being in a crash
• Drive for the conditions
• Thinking about it now could save you from
  problems later

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Prepare your vehicle / company vehicles

• Install four matched winter tires (look for the
  mountain and snowflake logo)
• Get a tune-up
• Install new winter-wiper blades
• Clear snow from all vehicle surfaces
• Carry a charged cell phone
• Keep the gas tank topped up
• Pack a winter survival kit

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Prepare your vehicle tire chains

• Use chains if you do not have winter tires
• Safely install chains before reaching an
  uphill grade.
• Look for signage for directions on chains
• A set of four studded tires can be used
  throughout the winter season

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Prepare yourself

• Learn winter driving skills
• Check road / weather conditions
• Plan route ahead of time
• Leave lots of time
• Be alert, rested and wear comfortable clothing
• Take someone with you
• Follow working alone procedures where applicable
• Dont panic if you get stranded

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Drive for the conditions

• Before driving, consider ways in which to
  eliminate/ reduce /manage road risk
• Determine if winter travel is absolutely
  necessary
• Explore alternatives to travel (phone, e-mail,
  tele/ video-conferencing, public transportation)

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Drive for the conditions

• Drop speed to match conditions
• Maintain a safe following distance
• Watch for black ice
• Accelerate and brake slowly
• Know how to handle a skid
• Dont use cruise control
• Be cautious around other vehicles

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Checklist
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Tip sheets
Three tips sheets are available at worksafebc.com
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Review

• Vehicle collisions increase during winter
• Manage road risk at the workplace
• Prepare your vehicle (or fleet)
• Prepare yourself (or your drivers)
• Take changing conditions into account when
  planning a work trip
• Slow down and drive for the conditions

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For more information

• www.worksafebc.com
• www.drivebc.ca
• www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
• www.icbc.com
• www.tc.gc.ca
• www.bcaatsf.ca

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Questions?