Safety & Health - Driver Safety
PPG values incorporating safety into every aspect of the workplace, and the commitment extends beyond the walls of our facilities to the highways our employees travel. Driver safety is integral to our operations. Beyond providing technical service, making the sale, and delivering the product, PPG is committed to managing the risks associated with operating a motor vehicle.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, operating a motor vehicle is one of the highest risk workplace activities. Initiated in July 2004, the PPG Driver Safety Process addresses the driving risks associated with a fleet of technical service, sales, and delivery associates. This process was developed as a result of a multidisciplinary, multi-business effort.
Key elements of PPG’s Driver Safety process include:
- Management Commitment
- Employee Involvement
- Written Policies and Procedures
- Identification of High Risk Drivers
- Disciplinary Action Process
- Crash Reporting and Investigation
- Vehicle Selection, Maintenance and Inspection
- Rewards and Recognition Process
- Driver Training and Communication
- Regulatory Compliance
- Metrics
Recent PPG’s Driver Safety Highlights:
PPG Supports United Nations Global Road Safety Week
April 23-29, 2007
For the first time ever, the UN sponsored an awareness program to promote Road Safety. The goal of UN Global Road Safety Week was to increase awareness and communication on this topic to all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Globally, more than 3,000 people are killed in vehicle crashes every day. More than 20 million people are injured annually.1 They are our parents, children, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
There are a few simple, but powerful things that you can do to stay safe and promote Road Safety2:
- Wear a seat belt every time you are a driver or a passenger. Your risk of ejection, injury, or death is reduced by 40-50% each time you buckle up.
- NEVER consume alcohol and drive.
- Pedestrians and cyclists should wear light colored or reflective clothing to increase visibility.
- Wear a helmet when riding your motorcycle. Proper helmet use decreases the risk of death by 40% and the risk of serious head injury by almost 70%.
- Slow down. A 5% decrease in average speed can result in a 30% decrease in fatal crashes.
Lastly, talk to your family and friends. Encourage them to adopt safe driving habits. Insist that your passengers buckle up before you start your car.
More information about UN Global Road Safety Week, including statistics, activities, and posters to print and display, can be found at: http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/pr070411.htm
________________________________________________________________
Sources:
1. World Health Organization, April 7, 2004.
2. World Health Organization, April 2007.