National Road Safety Week

May 12-18, 2020 is National Road Safety Week, Canada Safety Council’s annual awareness campaign. This year’s road safety campaign focuses on behaviors that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: sober and alert driving, seat-belt use, and intersection-related incidents involving drivers, riders and pedestrians.

“Driving a vehicle and taking safety precautions go hand in hand,” said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “A safe driver should be able to avoid a collision in most scenarios, and that begins with a safety-first perspective and a vigilance on road safety that comes with the privilege of driving.”

As part of RAM’s overall health and safety policy, we are committed to ensure that RAM employees are always operating as safely as possible to avoid accidents.

RAM’s Safe Driving and Safe Work Practice

Employees who drive to work:
  • Conduct a pre-trip vehicle inspection as per RAM’s “Safe Work Procedure- Pre-Trip Fleet Inspections” guide.
  • Practice defensive driving always.
  • Never use a handheld device while operating a vehicle.
  • All occupants must wear seat belts, the driver is responsible to ensure passengers are doing so.
  • Do not exceed posted speed limits.
  • Lower speed as required. Be aware of:
    • Visibility reduced by dust, fog, rain and snow
    • Narrow roads with over width vehicles
    • Steep or inclined roads
    • Slippery and variable road surface conditions due to loose gravel, snow, ice, mud or heavy rain.
  • Use vehicle for intended use only (purpose and weight limitations).
  • Drive with vehicle lights on when required.
  • Secure all heavy and sharp objects in the cab of the vehicle.
  • Respect that loaded logging trucks have the right of way on single lane roads.
  • Do not tailgate other vehicles.
  • Always back into parking stalls.
  • Ensure the parking brake is used.
  • Drivers travelling for long distances (more than 3 hours) will be required to inform their supervisors of their travel plan for the day. They will then check in with the supervisor at the end of the day and inform them they have made it home or back to the office safely. If the worker does not check in with the supervisor at the end of the day the supervisor is to initiate the emergency response procedure. Please refer to RAM’s PRC 007 Safe Work Practice-Working Alone. A check in form may be required if the worker is alone.
Safety Requirements at Construction Site

Given the dangers of roadside and construction work, consider the following safety tips to protect yourself from work zone injuries:

  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times on construction sites.
  • Be Attentive.
  • Be careful of work site vehicles and where where they enter and exit.
  • Use Spotters to look out for danger.
  • Understand communication signals between equipment operators, vehicles on road and workers on foot.
  • All occupants must wear seat belts to operate any vehicle on the construction site.
  • Apply parking brakes and, on inclines, place blocks in front and/or behind tires.
  • Flaggers should keep a safe distance from other highway workers to ensure they can be distinguished by passing motorists.
Additional Resources for Road Safety

https://canadasafetycouncil.org/slow-down-and-save-lives/

https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/

https://www.cacp.ca/canada-road-safety-week.html?mid=437

We do not compromise on safety and quality. RAM has a zero-injury historical track record and an industry leading Occupational Health and Safety Program, which is COR certified from the BC Construction Safety Alliance and is in good standing with WorkSafeBC. Visit our Quality Management page to learn more about our services.