Driving to and from jobsites can be hazardous, so keeping workers safe starts long before the rubber hits the road.

By Marnie Douglas

Whether your workers operate heavy equipment or manage construction projects, they all have two things in common if they drive for work. They face unique hazards on the road, and they may not always know how to respond. In this safety talk, we look at what construction sector employers can do to keep their workers safe — both on site and on the road.

As an employer, your first step is to identify the driving-related hazards your workers face on the job. Next, implement measures to reduce the risks and continually monitor the measures for effectiveness.

“Employers are responsible for educating, training, and instructing their workers on the risks and hazards associated with driving and road conditions,” says Chelle Wright, an occupational safety officer on WorkSafeBC’s construction safety team. “This should be part of a comprehensive health and safety program.”

Wright shares the following suggestions for how you can reduce the risks:

• Implement written driving-safety policies.
  Create and enforce written driving-safety policies that address all aspects of driving. Ensure the policies are clear to workers, and review and update them regularly to reflect any changes to the OHS Regulation.
• Make sure drivers and vehicles are road ready.
  Proper orientation is crucial to ensure that each driver is familiar with the specific vehicle they are using, whether it’s a company truck or a personal vehicle. Check workers’ driver’s licences and driving abstracts regularly to ensure licences are valid and workers have safe driving histories. Train workers to perform daily vehicle inspections with a focus on safety-critical components.
  
  Follow regular vehicle maintenance schedules to help prevent accidents due to mechanical failures.
• Schedule jobs to reduce rushing and excessive hours on the road.
  Schedule work to avoid long, exhausting shifts or tight deadlines that encourage workers to rush on the road. By allowing adequate time for travel between jobsites and ensuring workers have enough rest, you can help reduce the risk of accidents caused by fatigue, rushing, or distractions.
• Keep driving-related hazards top of mind.
  Educate workers on the risks of distracted driving (e.g., using electronic devices) and the effects of fatigue, which can reduce reaction times and decision-making ability. You can do this through training sessions, toolbox talks, and regular reminders.
• Encourage drivers to take courses and training.
  Taking road safety courses, such as a defensive driving course, can help workers understand on-the-road risks and stay aware of their surroundings. Road Safety at Work offers training materials applicable to the construction sector.
  
  Provide specialized driver training to new and young workers to ensure they can handle challenges such as driving large vehicles on rough terrain or hauling heavy loads.

Remember that all workers who drive for work — whether they’re on site or on the road — need to be included in your driving-safety initiatives.

For more information

Check out roadsafetyatwork.ca for tools and educational resources such as the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment tool kit, the online RiskCheck tool, and the Conducting Road Safety Risk Assessments online course.

This information originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.

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