North Dakota Work Site Safety Program Manual -- Page 4

DEVELOP YOUR PLAN OF ACTION

Your management is committed, your safety team is in place and you have a team leader. Now, take action. Using the cost analysis assess- ment results and employee perception and/or observational survey results as baseline information, your team will need to establish goals, narrow your focus and establish priorities. What will the team do first? What activities can the team coordinate to modify behavior? The work site safety team needs to create a plan of action.

The next step to be taken, once your company decides to implement a work site safety program, is to revise or develop new traffic safety policies and include compliance into job performance standards. This is an appropriate area for your human resource director to coordinate. (See sample drug and alcohol, distracted driving and safety belt use policies.)

Once defined safety policies are in place, you will need to continue with consistent education and awareness activities. These activities could include company promotions, traffic safety events, recognition of state or national safety holidays, etc. The activities can be major events that require a great deal of coordination or smaller activities accomplished by only two or three employees.

Plan a celebration to kick-off your new or enhanced work site safety program. At the kick-off celebration, distribute the new or revised company safety policies. Present each employee with the policies asking him or her to review and sign a statement of understanding. This may be an appropriate time to introduce employee pledge cards. (See sample employee pledge card included and on CD-ROM.) Members of management and/or the safety team should be available to answer any questions employees may have about the policies and compliance. The policies should clearly state any action that will be taken, if an employee violates the company policies.

Create a celebration atmosphere: provide nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, decorate with balloons, display materials from the work site safety program, etc. Display educational information on traffic crashes relating to disabling injuries and death, what is distracted driving and how to recognize potential hazards, etc. on a table for your guests to view.

Once you have introduced the work site safety program to your employees, your safety team will need to prioritize the activities and events they would like to coordinate or develop to continue program momentum. The following are possible activities or promotions that can enhance your program effectiveness:

• Invite local media to discuss your company’s commitment to highway safety. Share your program activities and promotions with the media. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your company and obtain positive publicity.
  
  
• Prepare public service announcements (PSAs) or a press release endorsed by your company including the messages, “Wear your safety belt and never drive distracted or impaired.” Contact your local radio, television and newspaper to solicit for support. (See sample press release and public service announcements.)
  
  
• Develop a “safety activities calendar.” Brainstorm with your safety team the potentially high-risk driving behaviors and/or periods such as holidays, summer months, company picnics, state or nationally recognized holidays and weeks dedicated to improving traffic safety. (See sample activities development worksheet.) During these special recognition weeks keep your message consistent, encourage alternative ways to enjoy holidays without alcohol and continue to enforce company safety policies. These could be target dates to promote and educate employees of the existing commitment their employer has made to traffic safety and the safety of their employees. (See sample work site safety calendar.)
  
  
• If your company allows, create a work site safety lobby display including statistical data, photos, activity/promotional calendar and miscellaneous program information. Showcase the employees who demonstrate positive traffic safety behavior and thank them for being influential role models.
  
  
• Coordinate events to celebrate success and encourage continued compliance throughout the year. Review your “safety activities calendar” for the most appropriate dates to plan a celebration. At the celebration, distribute incentive items promoting positive behavior, discuss company policies and educate employees on the importance of work site safety. Share with your employees the tools you are utilizing to promote their safety and update them on future events planned to continue momentum.
  
  
• Develop promotional materials such as table tents, wall posters, auto decals, paycheck stuffers, stickers, wallet-size blood alcohol concentration charts, key chains, pens, etc. (See sample payroll stuffer included and on CD-ROM.) Other materials are available by contacting the Work Site Safety Program office at 701-225-4677. Also, prepare an approved list of positive incentives to reward ambassadors of your safety policies such as dinners from local restaurants, event tickets, gift certificates, coupons for paid time off, etc.
  
  
• Create a safety newsletter. This is a perfect way to communicate with your employees. Draft articles including statistics on traffic injuries/fatalities and related costs, tips on being an attentive driver, etc. Profile employees who are actively supporting the work site safety program. Insert articles on how everyone can improve their driving behaviors and encourage employees to make good choices. The newsletter would illustrate the commitment the entire company has made to traffic safety.
  
  
• Develop a designated driver program. Contact your local public transportation company to arrange free rides home for an impaired employee. Develop program parameters and details. Inform all employees on program availability and communicate with the transportation company the high level of confidentiality required to encourage continued participation.
  
  
• Utilize your work site safety program team members and develop a speaker’s bureau. This speaker’s bureau can provide knowledgeable team members to make presentations on work site safety, company commitment and upcoming promotions or events. You may consider inviting professionals from the highway or traffic safety industry such as, law enforcement, local Safe Communities Program Coordinator and physicians or trauma personnel from your local health care facility.
  
  
• Organize an in-house safety library. Provide resources for your employees to become more safety conscious. Ask your employees to share the information with their friends and family. Contact the North Dakota Work Site Safety Program office at 701-225-4677 or Department of Transportation, Drivers License and Traffic Safety Division at 701-328-2601 for information and/or to obtain additional resources and training videotapes for your use. (See additional resources list for other materials.)

It is imperative to promote your work site safety program efforts consistently throughout the year. Linking your company's message with state and national messages and creating seasonal promotions enhances your program effectiveness. By making safety a year-round commitment, you will keep your team working together and your employees safe.
.

Startling Facts

• Young drivers are involved in more alcohol-related crashes than any other age group.
  
  
• In 2003, 32% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were under 25 years of age.
  
  
• You are four times more likely to die in a crash, if you are ejected from your vehicle.
  
  
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 34.
  
  
• In 2003, 68% of all traffic fatalities were male.
  
  
• Three out of four crashes happen within 25 miles from home, at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less.
  
  
• North Dakota ranks first in the nation for underage drinking and teen binge drinking (defined as five or more drinks at a time for males and four or more for females).
  
  
• Nearly 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.
  
  
• In 2004, 100 individuals died in motor vehicle crashes in North Dakota.
  
  
• An inattentive or distracted driver is listed as a contributing factor in 25 percent of traffic crashes.
  

EVALUATE YOUR SUCCESS AND CELEBRATE!

Once you have established a work site safety program, your company needs to constantly monitor its effectiveness. Your employees need to recognize the benefits of practicing safety at work. Host mini celebrations to keep them informed and encourage continued participation! Consider entering the Buckle-Up America! Award Program. (See Buckle-Up America! program information.)

The easiest way to evaluate your program's success is to repeat the process you used in the initial assessment. Conduct perception and/or safety belt surveys and compare baseline results to post-program results..

CONTACT INFORMATION AND SOURCES

For more information on the North Dakota Work Site Safety Program contact:

Program Coordinators
P.O. Box 527
Dickinson, ND 58602-0527
Telephone: 701-225-4677
Fax: 701-225-8162

North Dakota Department of Transportation
Drivers License and Traffic Safety Division
608 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0700
Telephone: 701-328-2601
Fax: 701-328-2435

Please check out our Web site at www.ndworksite.org for updated materials and additional resources!

This program has been developed to enhance an existing or encourage the development of a new work site safety program in your company. These materials are provided at no cost to you and may be reproduced, as needed. This manual has been printed in black and white for quality copying purposes.

Sources for all program materials and statistics:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• National Vital Statistics Report, 2003
• National Center for Health Statistics, 2002
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
• National Safety Council
• North Dakota Department of Health and Education
• North Dakota Department of Transportation Crash Facts
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics
• North Dakota Safe Communities Programs Web Site
• General Motors In Motion Magazine
• US Department of Labor - Small Business Work Place Kit