Published on: January 08, 2024

In B.C., about 38% of all work-related crashes that result in injury and time off work occur from November to February.

By Sarah Ripplinger

The team behind Road Safety at Work (RSAW) calls this time “Mother Nature’s road test,” and it’s one where failing could have deadly consequences.

It’s a given that winter conditions can test even the most experienced driver. Rain, snow, ice, and darkness are among some of the hazards elevating a worker’s risk of a motor vehicle incident with the change of season.

Motor vehicles used during an employee’s shift are part of the workplace. Employers and supervisors are responsible for creating a safety plan and incident reporting system for workplace driving and ensuring that employees are equipped and prepared to safely hit the road.

Occupational health and safety consultants Wendy Sieben and Quinto Vizza with WorkSafeBC remind us that even workers who pick up coffee for a meeting or make a bank deposit are all on the clock. Vizza adds that according to data gathered by RSAW, “one third of traumatic workplace deaths over the past five years were due to motor vehicle accidents. In 2022, people injured in crashes tended to be off work 35 percent longer than those who suffered other work-related injuries. And the average cost of a workplace motor vehicle incident claim was 85 percent higher.”

Home care workers among top five for occupational crashes

Community health support service employees, such as home care workers, rank among the top five for occupational crashes in the province. Often driving their own vehicles while on the job, home care workers and other allied health professionals typically work odd hours of the day and for longer shift durations, which escalates their chances of driving during the night — and while tired.

“Home care workers often drive to multiple client visits during a shift,” notes Anna Richter, director of workplace health and safety programs with SafeCare BC, an industry association that promotes safe working conditions and injury prevention for continuing care workers in the province. “It is so important that employers provide training and refreshers on winter driving to workers, to keep need-to-know road safety information top of mind,” Richter adds.

An approach for success

Danny Birch, co-founder and co-CEO with Hero Home Care, is a firm believer in using a combination of policy, training, and technology to drive safely in the workplace. As a result, this company of approximately 300 home care workers in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has reported only a handful of motor vehicle incidents within the past decade. This is especially remarkable after delivering more than 1 million hours of in-home care to over 3,000 families in need.

“We’re proud of our driving record, but we challenge ourselves to always strive to improve,” states Birch.

Around 25 to 50 percent of Hero Home Care employees drive vehicles for work. Many others use transit, cycle, or walk. Workers often travel alone to and from visits to clients’ homes; however, Hero Home Care provides 24/7 live support that care workers can call whenever they need to speak with someone.

Technology and walking the talk

Hero Home Care uses a specialized home care management app to support its employees throughout their workday. The trip planning portion of the app optimizes workers’ routes for safety, efficiency, and proximity to subsequent home care visits. The app also requires workers to check in before they start a shift, ensuring they arrive safely at their destinations. Should an incident occur, the app is also used for reporting and documenting incidents.

“Winter is one of our busier times,” says Birch. “We often receive more home care calls from clients for falls, isolation, and support needed because of the weather, poor driving conditions, and limited capacity for care at other facilities.”

New hires must graduate from the in-house Hero Foundations Training Academy, which covers a variety of safety topics, including driving and vehicle readiness. Workers who have already graduated but want a refresher are encouraged to participate. A monthly newsletter, email and text notifications, and verbal updates are also regularly distributed to employees.

“You can’t communicate with your workers enough,” states Birch. “Everyone learns differently, so we regularly send health and safety reminders in a variety of ways.”

Winter driving tips to have top of mind

RSAW is a leading authority on driver-readiness and safety information in B.C. As part of their annual Shift into Winter campaign they recommend the following four actions to reduce the risk of workplace motor vehicle incidents:

1. Determine whether driving for work is necessary — Check road and weather conditions at DriveBC.ca, or another weather service, to decide whether it’s safe to drive. When possible, conduct business over email, videoconferencing, or telephone, or use another mode of transportation, to eliminate the need to drive.
2. Create a trip plan — Pick the safest route and allow enough time for delays due to traffic or poor driving conditions. Ensure each vehicle is in good working order. Never drive when overly fatigued or on medication that can cause drowsiness. Always dress for the weather and leave with a full tank of gas in case of lengthy delays on the road. Have water, snacks, and extra layers handy. Contact a supervisor if you have any concerns about being able to drive safely.
3. Prepare the vehicle — Maintain vehicles according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure wiper blades are functional and there is enough windshield washer fluid. Consider specially designed wiper blades for winter driving for better protection against the elements. Keep a full gas tank to prevent fuel lines from freezing. Before driving, always remove snow and ice from the exterior of a vehicle, particularly windows, lights, mirrors, and the exhaust pipe — which if plugged with snow can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the occupants in the vehicle.
   
   Four matching winter tires should be installed for the winter months to improve traction and comply with roadway ordinances on many B.C. highways between October 1 and March 31. Keep first-aid supplies and a winter survival kit in the vehicle (see ShiftIntoWinter.ca for a complete list of recommended items).
4. Drive for the conditions — Before hitting the road, workers should be adequately informed — through workshops, staff meetings, and other training approaches — on how to drive for winter conditions in B.C.

Drive for the conditions, not the speed limit. Reduce speed where needed. Maintain a safe, four-second following distance behind other vehicles to provide more time to stop. Learn how to brake safely and get out of a skid. Always comply with traffic laws. Never operate a cell phone while driving.

For more information

Visit roadsafetyatwork.ca/shift-into-winter and roadsafetyatwork.ca/resource/tool-kit/driving-for-the-conditions.

This information originally appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.