One of the top three causes of workplace fatalities in 2013 was worksite transportation—in other words, overturning vehicles, being struck by a vehicle in motion, or incidents resulting from travel. A full sixty percent of these worksite transportation fatalities resulted from roadway incidents (as opposed to travel by airplane or some other form of transportation).

It may sound like a startling statistic, but it’s not as outrageous as it might at first appear. After all, in 2012, nearly 2.5 million people were injured in car accidents in the United States.

Driving is an activity with inherent danger, and on the worksite, where there may be many people and other vehicles, uneven terrain, and obstacles, it can be particularly dangerous.

Fortunately, the same straightforward driving safety tips we all should follow on the road hold true for staff who drive vehicles on a construction worksite.

• Wear your seat belt whenever operating a vehicle.
• Ensure you are rested and alert when driving.
• Drive defensively.
• Never text while driving.
• Try not to speak on the phone while driving—but if you must, use a hands-free device.

Construction companies should consider developing policies to help employees stay safe behind the wheel and on the road. For instance, a distracted driver policy and a restricted use policy can help ensure that only the appropriate workers use construction vehicles—and that when they do, they are focused on safe driving.

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