The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has partnered with the National Safety Council and the Road to Zero Coalition to help prevent incidents and save lives by reducing fatal worker injuries related to motor vehicle incidents, which are the country’s leading cause of workplace deaths.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 36.8% of the 5,283 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2023 were related to transportation, highlighting the urgent need for action.
By encouraging a culture of safety and preventive measures to safeguard workers on the country’s roads, this collaborative effort seeks to lessen and avoid these tragedies.
Ultimately, OSHA wants employers to make safety a core principle by integrating safe driving and transportation practices into their businesses’ safety and health management systems.
“Unlike other workplaces, the roadway is not a closed environment. Preventing work-related roadway incidents requires a combination of traffic safety principles and sound safety management practices,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “By collaborating with the National Safety Council and the Road to Zero Coalition, we can promote safe driving policies to prevent needless tragedies.”
“The most dangerous thing a person can do on the job is get in a vehicle,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO, and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition. “That’s what makes this partnership so critical. By joining Road to Zero, OSHA strengthens our ability to protect workers both on and off the job. Together, we can create safer roads for everyone – whether they are driving for work or sharing the roads with those who do.”
OSHA’s Motor Vehicle Safety webpage offers guidance for employers on developing written policies and procedures for workplace vehicle safety. These include vehicle maintenance, seat belt use, and preventing distracted, drowsy, and impaired driving. The webpage also emphasizes the importance of involving drivers in creating and refining safety programs, as their firsthand knowledge can help identify and address potential hazards.
