Background Image
Previous Page  31 / 40 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 31 / 40 Next Page
Page Background

PCCA Journal|4

th

Quarter 2010

31

B

ecause motor vehicle crashes

are a leading cause of worker

fatalities, Secretary of Labor

Hilda L. Solis in September

announced a partnership between

the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration and the U.S. Depart-

ment of Transportation to combat

distracted driving.

“It is imperative that employers

eliminate financial and other incen-

tives that encourage workers to text

while driving,” Solis said. “It is well

recognized that texting while driving

dramatically increases the risk of a

motor vehicle injury or fatality.”

Prohibiting texting while driving

is the subject of an executive order

signed by President Obama last

year for federal employees and the

subject of rulemaking by the Depart-

ment of Transportation. OSHA is

launching a multi-pronged initiative

that includes:

An education campaign for em-

ployers, launched during “Drive

Safely Work Week” in early

October, will call on employers

to prevent occupationally related

distracted driving, with a special

focus on prohibiting texting while

driving.

An open letter to employers to be

posted on OSHA’s website during

“Drive Safely Work Week.” The

website also will showcase model

employer policies and encourage

employer and labor associations to

communicate OSHA’s message.

Alliances with the National Safety

Council and other key organiza-

tions as outreach to employers,

especially small employers, aimed

at combating distracted driving

and prohibit texting while driving.

Special emphasis on reaching

younger workers by coordinat-

ing with other Labor Department

agencies as well as alliance part-

ners and stakeholders.

Investigate and issue citations and

penalties where necessary to end

the practice when OSHA receives a

credible complaint that an employ-

er requires texting while driving.

“We call upon all employers to

prohibit any work policy or practice

that requires or encourages workers

to text while driving,” said OSHA’s

Dr. David Michaels. “The Occupa-

tional Safety and Health Act is clear;

employers must provide a workplace

free of recognized hazards.”

Essential Tools for Underground Tasks

GMP CONTINUOUS

DUCT RODDERS

Rods available in a full range of sizes and lengths

Carriers made of tubular steel alloy

Clean and locate ducts, thread lines, or pull

cables more efficiently

Male threaded end fitting and

tapered head on leading end

+1.215.357.5500 • GMPtools.com MADE IN U S A

Societyof Cable

Telecommunication

Engineers

Controlled Force Fiber Pulling

THE GMP SIDEWINDER

PULL &ASSISTWINCH

Durable 32" capstan provides controlled pull force

Independent rope take up drum

Adjustable tension pull setting

Powerful 13 hp gasoline engine

Complies with D.O.T. Standards

Robust steel chassis

+1.215.357.5500 • GMPtools.com MADE IN U S A Societyof Cable Telecommunication Engineers

OSHA Launches Initiative to Discourage Texting While Driving on the Job