1 in 5 worker deaths caused by vehicle collisions
Safe Work Manitoba's new Safe Driving at Work Plan aims to help employers make driving safer for their workers.
The plan was created to address the number of work-related fatalities caused by vehicle collisions in Manitoba. From 2014-18, one in five work-related deaths reported to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba were caused by vehicle collisions, and the number of Manitobans killed each year while driving for work has been climbing steadily over that period of time, Safe Work Manitoba said.
"No employer wants to see one of their workers injured or killed," said Jamie Hall, chief operating officer of Safe Work Manitoba. "We know that employers have a unique influence on their workers' actions on the road, and can help their workers manage risks if they must drive for work.”
The Safe Driving at Work Plan will be carried out in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and the province's industry-based safety programs. The plan will offer tools and services to Manitoba employers, including consultations, a half-day workshop and a comprehensive online toolkit, to help them create and implement safe driving programs that fit the needs of their workers, job tasks and workplaces. This support will be offered free of charge.
Safe Work Manitoba will collaborate with Manitoba Public Insurance on public education and awareness efforts, including two new work-related driving scenarios for the DRIVR-X virtual reality experience. The two organizations will also work together to expand data collection about work-related driving incidents, injuries and fatalities. The additional data will help SafeWork Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance and other safety partners identify and respond to trends, measure improvements and improve communication with Manitoba employers and the public about work-related driving hazards and recommendations for safe driving at work, Safe Work Manitoba said.
"Driving for work should never result in tragedy, or serious injury,” said Ben Graham, CEO and president, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Reducing work-related collisions is a shared responsibility on a number of levels ─ the employee, their employer and likeminded road safety partners.”
