SAFE Work Manitoba’s new SAFE Driving at Work Plan, created to address the growing number of work-related fatalities caused by vehicle collisions in Manitoba, aims to help employers make driving safer for their workers.
From 2014-2018, one in five work-related deaths reported to WCB Manitoba were caused by vehicle collisions, and the number of Manitobans killed each year while driving for work has climbed steadily over that period of time. This upward trend is counter to a continuing decline in work-related injuries overall.
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 free-of-charge tools and services to employers, including consultations, a half-day workshop and a comprehensive online toolkit, to help them create and implement safe driving programs to fit the needs of their workers, job tasks and workplaces.
“No employer wants to see one of their workers injured or killed,” says Jamie Hall, COO 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. As well, our partnership with the province’s industry-based safety programs will help support the delivery of safe driving tools and training for their employer members.”
SAFE Work Manitoba will collaborate with Manitoba Public Insurance on two new work-related driving scenarios for the DRIVR-X virtual reality experience. The two will also work together to expand data collection about work-related driving incidents, injuries and fatalities.
The additional data will help all partners identify and respond to trends, measure improvements, and improve communication with employers and the public about work-related hazards and recommendations for safe driving at work.
“Driving for work should never result in tragedy, or serious injury,” adds Ben Graham, CEO & President of Manitoba Public Insurance. “Reducing work-related collisions is a shared responsibility on a number of levels ─ the employee, their employer and like-minded road safety partners.”
For more on the SAFE Driving at Work Plan, visit safemanitoba.com/safedrivingatwork.
