Safe Workplace and Safety News

This is the safety news blog for the Safe Workplace web site. We cover workplace safety related news with a focus on how safety, or a lack of safety, impacts employers, employees and their families. We also cover topics such as safety training, safety tools, and legal issues related to safety. For regular safety news and information enter your email address in the box above the Subscribe button to the right (then click on the button).

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

National Safety Council Releases White Paper on Brain Distraction During Cell Phone Use While Driving

The National Safety Council has released a white paper describing the risks of using a cell phone while driving. The white paper, "Understanding the distracted brain: Why driving while using hands-free cell phones is risky behavior," addresses the lack of understanding about the dangers of cell phones and hands-free devices.

The white paper includes references to more than 30 scientific studies and reports, describing how using a cell phone, hands-free or handheld, requires the brain to multitask – a process it cannot do safely while driving. Cell phone use while driving not only impairs driving performance, but it also weakens the brain’s ability to capture driving cues. The white paper is available for free download on the NSC Website.

The paper describes how drivers who use cell phones have a tendency to "look at" but not "see" up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment. A form of inattention blindness occurs, which results in drivers having difficulty monitoring their surroundings, seeking and identifying potential hazards, and responding to unexpected situations.

Numerous public opinion surveys show most drivers believe using a cell phone while driving is dangerous. However, many admit they regularly talk or text while driving. At any time, 11 percent of all drivers are using cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NSC estimates more than 1 out of every 4 motor vehicle crashes involves cell phone use at the time of the crash.

"Cell phone use while driving has become a serious public health threat," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. "This white paper provides the necessary background and context for lawmakers and employers considering distracted driving legislation and policies. Several states and municipalities have passed legislation allowing hands-free devices while driving. These laws give the false impression that hands-free phones are a safe alternative, when the evidence is clear they are not. Understanding the distraction of the brain will help people make the right decision and put down their cell phones while driving."

To learn more about cell phone use while driving, visit distracteddriving.nsc.org

Labels: NSC, Transportation Safety, Vehicle Safety

posted by Steve Hudgik | Workplace Safety Post 1 Comments | Add Comment | links

Friday, January 08, 2010

National Safety Council Invites Applicants for 2010 Robert W. Campbell Award

The National Safety Council invites businesses around the world to apply for the 2010 Robert W. Campbell Award, the world's pre-eminent award recognizing excellence in business performance, employee safety and health, and environmental stewardship. The 2010 winners will be announced at NSC's Congress & Expo, Oct. 3-8 in San Diego.

"The Campbell Award recognizes companies that demonstrate that environmental, health and safety (EHS) management is an essential element in achieving operational excellence and financial success," said Janet Froetscher, president & CEO of NSC. "Campbell Award winners prove that integrated EHS systems reduce workplace injuries and deaths, improve the bottom line, and motivate and inspire others."

Awards are presented in two categories: Businesses with more than 1,000 employees and businesses with less than 1,000 employees. Winners are selected by an international panel of experts in academia, government, labor and management. These experts provide each applicant with a written evaluation report for further improvement. Winning Campbell case studies also are discussed in boardrooms and classrooms worldwide.

Past winners include Noble Corp., Johnson & Johnson, Alcan Inc., DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Co., The Bahrain Petroleum Co., Fluor Hanford, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co. and Schneider Electric North America.

The Campbell Award is named for Robert W. Campbell, an early safety advocate and the first president of NSC. The award is sponsored by NSC and underwritten by ExxonMobil Foundation.

To download an application packet, please visit www.CampbellAward.org. Final submissions must be postmarked by May 31, 2010.

Labels: NSC, safety