“Give ’em a BRAKE” — Road Construction Safety and Defensive Driving Tips
When drivers get behind the wheel, they take responsibility for maintaining control of 2-ton machines that can easily cover a distance of more than 80 feet in one second. Operation of a vehicle must be taken seriously. Unsafe traveling speeds, distracted driving and driver fatigue and are three of the biggest culprits of unnecessary vehicle-related accidents and fatalities.
Speed Kills
The No. 1 cause of injury and death in highway construction zones is speeding traffic. Each year thousands of road construction workers are injured or killed at work due to motor vehicle accidents. When driving through construction sites:
- Stay alert and SLOW DOWN!
- Plan ahead and drive an alternative route when possible.
- Watch for road signs that indicate reduced speeds, traffic shifts, etc.
- Increase the distance between the vehicles in front of you.
- Turn on your headlights.
- Stay in your lane.
- Avoid using cell phones, navigation devices, radios or other distractions.
Driving Statistics
- 1 in 4 fatal work injuries involves a vehicle accident.
- Driving injuries occur every 18 seconds.
- More than 2 million disabling injuries are caused by vehicle accidents every year.
- A car crash fatality occurs every 11 minutes.
- Seatbelts save over 100,000 lives yearly.
Avoiding Distractions
In a business climate with people always on the go and an emphasis on productivity, employees may feel the need to talk, text and email while driving. However, doing business while behind the wheel is not only illegal, it’s also extremely dangerous.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get in a crash. To reduce that number, a new federal law prohibiting commercial vehicle drivers from using hand-held mobile phones went into effect on Jan. 3, 2012. This ban prohibits commercial motor vehicle drivers from holding, dialing or reaching for hand-held cell phones, including phones with the push-to-talk function.
There are major fines associated with violating this law. Drivers in interstate commerce or those transporting hazardous materials will be fined up to $2,750 for a violation. Commercial trucking and bus drivers face a maximum fine of $11,000 if they are found in violation of the ban.
Driver Fatigue
The NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year, resulting in an estimated 1,500 deaths and 71,000 injuries. Tired drivers should immediately find a safe place to stop the vehicle and rest.
Warning signs of driver fatigue include:
- The inability to recall the last few miles traveled.
- Having disconnected or wandering thoughts.
- Having difficulty focusing or keeping eyes open.
- Feeling as though your head is very heavy.
- Drifting out of the lane or driving on the rumble strips.
- Yawning repeatedly.
- Accidentally tailgating other vehicles.
- Missing traffic signs.
Want to know more?
If you’re an Accident Fund policyholder, log onto our website at AccidentFund.com and check out our WorkSafe Toolbox™ and other available safety tools.
If you’re not a customer, click here for additional safety information. Or click here to find an Accident Fund agent near you.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced the previously postponed Annual National Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls week will now take place virtually from Sept. 14 – 18. This will be the seventh year of the event.
According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. To promote fall safety measures, OSHA has partnered with various safety organizations to provide virtual demonstrations, policy overviews, discussions and much more to assist employers with fall safety prevention throughout the week.
To promote the event, OSHA has created #StandDown4Safety.
For more information on the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls seek and access to OSHA fall prevention resources, click here.
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November 27, 2018
The statistics are shocking.
- 65% of fall-related injuries occur as a result of falls from same-level walking surfaces
- Each year in the U.S., an estimated 3.8 million disabling work injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls
- 1 in 6 of all lost-time work injuries are from slips, trips and falls
- Slip, trip and fall injuries cost employers approximately $40,000 per incident
This is why Accident Fund’s Slip and Fall Elimination (S.A.F.E.) campaign remains so important. Our education and prevention efforts aim to improve and boost awareness of the everyday risks that lead to slips and falls. It’s no surprise that winter weather can be a prime source of these exposures, as the season brings snow and ice, which can often lead to slick, slippery walking surfaces.
Our campaign site provides a wide assortment of materials and resources, including brochures, fliers, posters and checklists, to share within your organization. One of our most popular is a series of short videos which promote a simple slip and fall prevention tip, such as “Walk Like a Penguin.” You can find all the videos here.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Safety Council Injury Facts 2013 Edition
Our sole focus is on workers’ compensation, with expertise in our core industry segments. By percentage of written premium, the following provides an overview of Accident Fund’s overall mix of business.
October 8, 2019
On Aug. 13, 2019, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and agent Ben Knoester of Buiten & Associates presented a 2019 WorkSafe Award to Thresholds, Inc. of Kent County, Mich.
Thresholds is a non-profit social service agency that enables community members with developmental disabilities to live as productively and independently as possible. Their proactive approach to risk management – across nearly 20 locations – has earned them this prestigious safety award, which is presented throughout the United States to companies who demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety excellence.
Maintaining a focus on safety throughout an organization with multiple locations can be difficult, but Thresholds has overcome the challenges thanks to an engaged risk management team. The team meets regularly to discuss potential safety concerns and makes time to conduct thorough incident reviews and determine the most feasible corrective actions.
“The emphasis on establishing and maintaining open lines of communication between all employees is outstanding,” said Jon Lee, Accident Fund Senior Loss Control Specialist. “Effective communication is critical for an organization with so many employees working at multiple locations, particularly when new initiatives are introduced. The consistency of safety programs and injury prevention measures I’ve observed during loss control surveys of their locations is impressive.”
In the last two years, Thresholds has focused on reducing the frequency of injuries by establishing controls and programs geared toward historical loss leaders. They have found success in implementing new equipment, conducting ongoing facility inspections, expanding safety training programs and more frequently communicating potential injury hazards to employees.
We are thrilled to partner with safety-focused companies like Thresholds, Inc. and valued agency partners like Buiten & Associates. Congratulations on your WorkSafe Award and continued safety efforts!
July 11, 2016
Accident Fund recently presented policyholder Rowley Brothers Inc. a safety award recognizing their “Outstanding Safety Performance for 2014 and 2015.” Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Bay City, Mich., Rowley Brothers is a major supplier of automotive and industrial products mostly related to the automotive industry. Aside from their headquarters office, they also have distribution centers in Michigan and Ohio.
Pictured (L to R): Sherry Badour, Human Resources Manager; Brenda Rowley, Vice President of Operations; Josh Rudrow, Safety Director; Jim Fisher, Accident Fund Senior Loss Control Consultant.
Rowley Brothers Inc. takes a proactive safety approach with their 100-plus employees, beginning with an extensive employee screening and training program. They also utilize safety surveys, have safety committee representatives from various departments and regularly use Accident Fund’s Loss Control Toolbox. Because of this, Rowley Brothers Inc. has achieved remarkable results with a substantially improved loss ratio despite being in a business with considerable risk.
Accident Fund is pleased to present Rowley Brothers Inc. with this award, which recognizes:
- A proactive safety culture that continues to evolve
- Upper management support
- Employee involvement with the overall safety efforts
- Favorable claims experience
- Consistent use of Accident Fund’s WorkSafe Toolbox and Loss Control Consulting Services
- Strong partnership with independent agent (HUB International Midwest) and Accident Fund
We are proud to partner with policyholders and agents who take such great pride in workplace safety. Congratulations to Rowley Brothers Inc. for their safety achievements.
July 2, 2013
Accident Fund recently awarded policyholder VLP Holding Company, Inc. (VLP) with a safety award recognizing their impressive workplace safety practices. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, VLP is a heavy equipment dealer and service provider who has been an Accident Fund policyholder since 2006.
Front (L to R): Nick Thomas, Service Manager, VLP; Angel Leavey, Human Resource Administrator, VLP; Jim Foreman, Chairman, VLP; Richard Garrett, Senior WorkSafe Consultant, Accident Fund; Sandy McDowell, Business Development Consultant, Accident Fund. Back (L to R): Bill Esterly, Product Support Manager, VLP; Bill Schoenfelder, President, VLP; Brad Thompson, Service Writer, VLP; Bob Foreman, Vice Chairman, VLP; J.R. Reilly, President, The Reilly Company, LLC; David Leavitt, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, VLP
VLP takes a proactive safety approach with their nearly 100 employees, beginning with an extensive employee training program. They also utilize safety surveys, have safety committee representatives at each of their six locations and regularly use Accident Fund’s WorkSafe Toolbox. Because of this, VLP has achieved remarkable results with a five-year loss ratio of 12% and experience modification factor of .86 despite being in a business with considerable risk.
Accident Fund is pleased to present VLP with this award, which recognizes:
- Proactive best practices in safety and return to work programs
- Favorable claims experience
- Long tenure with Accident Fund
- Consistent usage of Accident Fund’s WorkSafe Toolbox and WorkSafe Consulting Services
- Strong partnership with independent agent (The Reilly Company) and Accident Fund
We are proud to partner with policyholders and agents who take such great pride in workplace safety. Congratulations VLP Holding Company, Inc. for their safety achievements.
April 5, 2017
Accident Fund’s Loss Control team recently presented Davis Construction, Inc. with a WorkSafe Award to recognize their impressive safety improvements. These awards are given throughout the U.S. to policyholders who demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety excellence.
Davis Construction is a family owned and operated business that has been providing construction services to communities throughout Michigan since 1970. They specialize in education facilities and construction for the health care industry, historical and public bridges, along with municipal buildings and other medium to large construction projects.
Over the past three years, Davis Construction has seen a tremendous improvement in the safety performance of the company. “The renewed efforts of upper management, coupled with the successful execution of jobsite safety plans by workers in the field have led directly to the results we are seeing,” said Accident Fund Loss Control Consultant Jon Lee.
To improve their workplace safety, Davis has developed a custom job site safety manual, implemented an ongoing jobsite inspection program and conducts monthly safety meetings with supervisors. These initiatives, in addition to a daily job safety analysis, weekly toolbox talks and annual safety training, have ensured that all employees are involved in and accountable for the safety performance of the company.
We’re proud to partner with business owners who are proactive and diligent about workplace safety and congratulate Davis Construction – and Accident Fund’s Loss Control team – for this achievement.
Pictured (L to R): Brian Hudson (David Chapman Agency), Jon Lee (Accident Fund), Mark Davis (Davis), Scott Miller (Davis), Mike Davis (Davis), Brian Grammer (Davis).
July 11, 2016
ESCO Company, LLC was recently awarded a WorkSafe Award from Accident Fund and USI Insurance Services for exceptional safety performance from 2013 – 2015. While their exemplary safety record extends well beyond that timeframe, during those three years, zero lost time injuries occurred.
Accident Fund has been providing workers’ compensation insurance for ESCO Company for more than 20 years. Over that time, the company has made great strides with their safety program, and has developed a positive safety culture throughout the organization.
“From top to bottom, every employee in the company is committed to workplace safety and health,” said Accident Fund Loss Control Consultant Jonathan Lee. “Not only have they invested in the infrastructure within the facility to maintain a safe work environment, but employees and management are both actively involved in identifying possible hazards and correcting them.”
ESCO Company is a chemical processing facility, and employees work very closely with hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. Near miss incidents as well as employee injuries are reviewed monthly during safety committee meetings, and ESCO requires all new employees to participate in the safety committee during their first year with the company.Accident Fund Success Story – ESCO Safety Award
We are proud to partner with policyholders and agents who take such great pride in workplace safety. Congratulations to ESCO Company, LLC for their safety achievements.
December 18, 2015
Accident Fund recently presented the Tennessee Aquarium with a WorkSafe Safety Award for Continuous Safety Improvement. This long-standing Accident Fund policyholder impressively reduced their experience modification factor by 22 points over a three-year period thanks to their diligent attention to workplace safety.
Located in Chattanooga. Tenn., and founded in 1992, the Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium that goes to great lengths to make safety a part of their culture – for the protection of their employees, visitors and the 12,000-plus animals who call it home.
“The aquarium truly partners with Accident Fund,” said Senior WorkSafe Consultant Ryan Allen. “I work closely with their 12-person safety committee to address potential safety hazards – they always take the time to listen to my recommendations and implement the changes quickly. They also utilize our online training for new employee safety training and continuing education as well as many other safety tools offered in our Toolbox.”
We are proud to partner with policyholders who take such a proactive approach to workplace safety, and congratulate the Tennessee Aquarium for their remarkable safety achievements!
Pictured (L to R): Stroud Cowart, BB&T Insurance Services; Ryan Allen, Senior Loss Control Consultant, Accident Fund; Rodney Fuller Facilities Manager, Tennessee Aquarium; Charlie Arant, President, Tennessee Aquarium; Jack McCart, Regional Manager Loss Control Services, Accident Fund
Use this accident investigation kit to learn about the steps to take after an unfortunate event has occurred in the workplace. This resource also contains a fillable form for the injured employee to describe their injuries in detail (in English).
Download resource:
Use this accident investigation kit to learn about the steps to take after an unfortunate event has occurred in the workplace. This resource also contains a fillable form for the injured employee to describe their injuries in detail (in Spanish).
Download resource:
Saving time and maintaining cash flow are priorities for any business owner. Accident Fund’s pay-as-you-go solution, AccuPremium, helps you do both. Available to all policyholders, this plan lets us work with you or your payroll vendor to ensure premium payments are simple, efficient and accurate.
