Note:  We received several comments of thanks from our readers for providing these Winter Driving Tips in the CLMI Newsletter this past month.  I hope that you will find them useful.                                                                                       

We’ve all seen Winter Safe Driving tips over the years.  This condensed list is from the Minnesota Safety Council and provides excellent guidance.  I hope you think so too and share them with your family, friends, employees or others you care about.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

How should you prepare yourself for winter driving?

• Plan your driving in advance.
• Avoid driving when fatigued.
• Contact your provincial “Road Reports” to get updates regarding road conditions in the region to which you are going.
• Check weather conditions for your travel route (and time) before you begin driving.
• Plan your arrival time at a destination by taking into account any delays due to slower traffic, reduced visibility, roadblocks, abandoned automobiles, collisions, etc.
• Inform someone of your route and planned arrival time.
• Choose warm and comfortable clothing. If you need to remove outdoor clothing later while driving, STOP the vehicle in a safe spot.
• Warm up your vehicle BEFORE driving off. It reduces moisture condensing on the inside of the windows.
• NEVER warm up your vehicle in a closed garage.
• Remove snow and ice from your vehicle. It helps to see and, equally important, to be seen.
• Wear sunglasses on bright sunny days.
• Bring a cell phone if you have one but do not leave it in the car as the battery will freeze.

How should you drive in winter weather?

• Buckle up before you start driving. Keep your seat belt buckled at all times.
• SLOW DOWN! - posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions. Driving at reduced speeds is the best precautionary measure against any misfortune while driving on slippery roads. “Black ice” is invisible.
• Be aware of the road conditions. Black ice will make a road look like shiny new asphalt. Pavement should look grey-white in winter.
• Do not use cruise control. Winter driving requires you to be in full control at all times.
• Reduce your speed while approaching intersections covered with ice or snow.
• Allow for extra travelling time or even consider delaying a trip if the weather is inclement.
• Drive with low-beam headlights on. Not only are they brighter than daytime running lights but turning them on also activates the tail lights. This makes your vehicle more visible.
• Lengthen your following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you. Stopping distance on an icy road can be up to 10 times that of stopping on a dry one. For example, from around 175 ft at the speed of 50 mph, to over 1,750 ft on an icy road surface.  (Even if it’s half that there’s a huge difference!)
• Stay in the right-hand lane except when passing and use turn signals when changing lanes.
• Steer with smooth and precise movements. Changing lanes too quickly and jerky steering while braking or accelerating can cause skidding.
• Be aware and slow down when you see a sign warning that you are approaching a bridge. Steel and concrete bridges are likely to be icy even when there is no ice on the asphalt surface, (because bridges over open air cool down faster than roads which tend to be insulated somewhat by solid ground.)
• Consider getting off the road before getting stranded if the weather is worsening.
• Be patient and pass other cars only when it is safe to do so.

Did we miss anything?  Please comment with your tips and thoughts for improving driver safety during these winter months.  Thanks!

A couple a year ago ASSE conducted its Culture Symposium in Costa Mesa, CA.  One of the speakers,  Joseph Cohen, PhD presented on the concept of  “justice” as it applies to workplace rules and the use of discipline.  Several times during the presentation he referenced Sydney Dekker and his book Just Culture.  I found the topic and Dr. Cohen’s presentation enlightening, so I decided to purchase and read Just Culture.  What an eye-opener!

I couldn’t possibly share all that I learned reading the book in this short post, but suffice it to say that those organizations or institutions that want to improve safety must develop trust throughout and learn from their mistakes.  I liked the discussion of what a learning organization looks like, and the importance of encouraging near-miss reporting as a part of the learning process.  The book also presented excellent examples of how to shut down learning and destroy trust, both detrimental to safety success.

Earlier this month, Mike Williamsen, Phd. with Caterpillar Consulting, Inc., an expert on creating positive cultural change, spoke on Near-Miss Reporting at the Direct Delivery Leadership Council (DDLC) conference in Las Vegas.  Dr. Williamsen summed up the topic very well and shared several important take-aways:

• In order for any organization to actually improve, it is necessary for it to openly share and learn from its mistakes.
• Since safety happens at all levels, every one must participate and share their mistakes.
• Sharing situations that “almost” or “could have” resulted in injury or loss creates opportunities to discuss what happend and to learn.
• It is very important that there be an open and trusting environment where all near-misses can be reported.
• Reporting near-miss situations should be encouraged and praised.
• It is necessary to have a system that evaluates near-misses by severity potential, establishes priorities, and leads to positive corrective action.
• If reporting near-misses results in disciplinary action or nothing is done to correct high severity potential situations, reporting dies and all related learning stops.

As SH&E professionals we have a terrific opportunity to help our organizations learn and improve.  And in so doing, we will help them not only improve safety, but all aspects of the business.   I think it would be worth your time to find out more about the concepts of a Just Culture and becoming a Learning Organization.   “Just Culture” by Sydney Dekker is a great place to start.

This was Reposted By Request from December 23, 2009.  I hope you enjoy it and comment back with your thoughts.  Thanks.

Ergonomic Tips for Mobile Workers

In a previous post I shared my story of working at home and not following good ergonomic principles.  The result was a stiff neck and sore back.  This made me think about all the office ergonomics training I’ve had and have given.  This is the second post on the subject of Ergonomics for Road Warriors,  providing ergonomics tips for when working with specific pieces or types of equipment.   I hope you find the information useful.

Mobile Equipment

The very design of hand-held devices with small screens and keyboards,
and the design of laptops with the screen fixed to the keyboard can make
working in a neutral posture difficult.
Knowing the optimal positions of screens and keyboards, and know the
best choices for chairs and work surface can help you adapt and modify your
work habits.

 Laptops

Laptops offer many ergonomic challenges. Their small size and connected
screens and keyboards mean that you have to compromise posture for either good
viewing height or proper hand height. While there is no single best position,
there are things you can do to minimize stress and strain:

• Position the screen for comfortable viewing when you are primarily reading material on the screen.
• Place the laptop in a way that gives you the best arm and wrist position when you are mostly typing.
• Stand at a counter to work for a while if you are doing a combination of typing and reading.
• When using the computer in your lap, put a pillow on your lap first and then a hard surface like a tray or book on the pillow; now put the laptop on the hard surface to protect it from overheating and to give yourself a more stable surface.
• Try using a laptop stand and a document holder for the best head position.
• Use an external mouse instead of the device’s touchpad.
• When you are at your office desk, consider using an external keyboard, mouse and monitor.
• Change positions frequently and take regular breaks.
• When carrying your laptop use a wheeled case, messenger-style bag that goes across your upper body or be sure to frequently switch hands with a briefcase style bag.

Hand-held Devices

Frequent users of hand-held devices like cell phones and smart phones
are especially prone to repetitive stress injury of the thumbs, hands and
wrists. To avoid these chronic conditions follow these guidelines:

• Only use them for quick work: short emails, texts and limited researching; use a full-size keyboard and monitor when working for prolonged periods.
• Hold smart phones and cell phones with two hands in loose neutral grip; avoid the one-handed hold using the same thumb to scroll or type.
• Alternate using thumbs and index fingers when texting and typing.
• Hold the device up so you are only looking slightly down at the screen.
• Use a headset when making calls and avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.

Tablet Devices

These increasingly popular devices have their own unique challenges because they are heavier and larger than other hand-held devices. As such, we tend to pinch grip them using one hand, so we can access the device with the other hand. This causes strain to the hand, wrist and shoulder.  Instead:

• Place the device on a stand, counter or chair back to use it while you are standing.
• If you can’t do this, rest the tablet on your open hand and forearm.
• Avoid placing it flat on a work surface and looking down on it to minimize neck strain when sitting and working.
• If you don’t have a stand, place the device on a pillow or cushion or even prop it up on your knee. Your goal is to have the screen at a height where you are only looking slightly down on it.

Screens

Our eyes lead our body into its working position. Wherever we look and
focus, we tend to position our bodies to follow and maintain that focus. To
reduce neck stress and eyestrain:

• Place your laptop on the work surface so you can look slightly down on the screen.
• For smart phones and other hand-held devices such as tablets, try to hold the device up close to eye level, again so you are looking slightly down.
• Keep windows to the left or right of the screen; not directly in front of or behind it to minimize glare.

Eyestrain

Up to ninety percent of people who work with computers experience
eyestrain. To minimize this bothersome situation:

• Have regular eye exams and tell your doctor about your computer and hand-held device use.
• Get fitted with the right types of lenses that may include bifocals, trifocals and anti-glare coatings.
• Blink frequently.  Your eyecare professional may recommend eye drops or artificial tears for dry eyes.
• Keep your head in its proper position of looking slightly down at the screen.
• Adjust screen contrast and brightness settings and increase zoom controls.

In Summary

As I said at the end of Part One, following these simple tips can make a world of difference.  Your comfort is important, so taking a few minutes to consider your work area and how you can configure it for better ergonomics will keep you from the strains and stress that plagues Road Warriors.  Be Safe!