Event will be held on April 10th with ability to attend virtually
In a bid to tackle the alarming statistic that driving is the primary cause of work-related deaths in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Safety Council (NSC) are set to host a panel discussion. This event, titled "Roadway Safety is Workplace Safety: The Need to Eliminate Distracted Driving," is scheduled for April 10, coinciding with Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Canadian health and safety leaders may find the panel discussion relevant, as distracted driving is just as much of a hazard on this side of the border.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 40% of job-related fatalities in the country occur on American roads annually. Distracted driving, a significant contributor to these incidents, claims thousands of lives and causes numerous severe injuries each year.
The panel aims to bring together key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of roadway safety, emphasizing the pivotal role employers play in mitigating risks. Scheduled participants include U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Douglas L. Parker, and president and CEO of the National Safety Council, Lorraine Martin, alongside Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Sophie Shulman, member Michael Graham of the National Transportation Safety Board, and a representative from the private sector.
Lorraine Martin, expressing the significance of the event, says, "roadway safety is an integral component of workplace safety, and employers can make a difference in keeping those who drive to, from, and for work, as well as those who share the road with them, as safe as possible." She further highlighted the collaborative effort between NSC, OSHA, and the Department of Labor to address these critical issues and save lives.
"OSHA wants to make sure that employers know their responsibility to have policies in place for safe driving practices, including work practices and procedures that do not contribute to distracted driving," says Doug Parker.
The event, slated for April 10 at 2:30 p.m. ET, will be held at the United States Department of Labor and is open to the public. Interested individuals can register to attend either in person or virtually.
