Motor Vehicle-related Incidents: The Leading
Cause of Occupational Fatalities in the United States
Motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of
work-related fatalities in the United States. Of approximately 6,000 worker
fatalities annually reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 35%
are associated with motor vehicles. Between 1997 and 2001, on average:
- 1,421 workers died each year from crashes on public highways.
- 368 workers died each year in crashes that occurred off the highway
or on industrial premises.
- 382 pedestrian workers died each year as a result of being struck
by a motor vehicle.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
The risk of roadway crashes associated with on-the-job operation of motor
vehicles affects millions of U.S. workers. Data from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics show that in 2001, nearly 4.2 million workers in the U.S. were
classified as motor vehicle operators. Other workers who use motor vehicles
in performing their jobs are spread across numerous other occupations.
These include workers who operate vehicles owned or leased by their employer,
and those who drive personal vehicles for work purposes.
General Information – Crash Statistics and Prevention Strategies
NIOSH Hazard
Review: Work-related Roadway Crashes: Challenges and Opportunities for
Prevention
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-119
A
comprehensive review of safety issues for workers who operate motor vehicles
on the job. Identifies groups of workers at greatest risk for traffic
crashes, summarizes key issues that contribute to work-related roadway
crashes, and recommends preventive measures for employers and other stakeholders.
NIOSH
Alert: Preventing Deaths, Injuries, and Illnesses of Young Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-128
en
español
Provides case reports and examples of risks young workers may face while
on the job and recommendations for prevention. Includes information on
transportation-related injuries to young workers and child labor laws
that cover workplace driving.
NIOSH Alert:
Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Traffic-related Motor Vehicle
Crashes
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-142
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español
Examines traffic-related motor vehicle crashes that resulted in the death
of a person who was at work when the incident occurred. Provides a brief
review of Federal regulations that cover vehicle operation in the workplace,
and offers recommendations to employers for prevention of work-related
motor vehicle crashes.
Motor Vehicle Fatality Investigation
Reports (conducted under the FACE Program)
Through the Fatality
Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program, NIOSH conducts on-site
investigations of occupational fatalities, including those related to
motor vehicles, and supports similar efforts by State partners. NIOSH
personnel also evaluate vehicle-related fatalities of fire fighters through
the Fire Fighter Fatality
Investigation and Prevention Program.
Vehicle Safety for Emergency Responders
MMWR Article: Ambulance Crash-related Injuries among Emergency
Medical Services Workers – United States, 1991-2002.
MMWR 2003: 52(8): 154-156
 PDF
Only 206 KB (20 pages)
EMS workers are most at risk when transporting patients, or responding
to or returning from emergency calls. This report highlights the risk
of death or serious injury for EMS workers riding in ambulances.
Your Safety First: Railroad Crossing Safety For Emergency Responders
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-121
PDF
Only 727 KB (4 pages)
Reports fatalities of emergency responders struck and killed by trains
at railroad grade crossings. Discusses safe driving at rail crossings,
awareness of signs and warning devices, and how to react if a vehicle
stalls on the tracks. Developed by NIOSH in cooperation with the Federal
Railroad Administration and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Hazard ID: Fire
Fighter Deaths from Tanker Truck Rollovers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-111
PDF 103
KB (3 pages)
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español
Offers safety recommendations to increase awareness of this hazard among
the fire service, focusing on the need for fire departments to train drivers
about the operating characteristics of tanker trucks and to ensure that
tankers are properly designed and equipped.
Hazard ID: Traffic
Hazards to Fire Fighters While Working Along Roadways
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-143
PDF 100
KB (3 pages)
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español
Provides case studies and recommendations, emphasizing the importance
of pre-incident planning, standard operating procedures, and training
to protect responder safety at incident sites.
Worker Safety in Highway Work Zones
Building Safer
Highway Work Zones: Measures to Prevent Worker Injuries from Vehicles
and Equipment
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-128
Best practices
for preventing worker injuries and fatalities in highway work zones due
to motor vehicles and construction equipment. Includes one-page case studies
suitable for use in toolbox safety talks or safety management classes.
Represents a collaborative effort between NIOSH and work zone safety stakeholders.
Press Releases
NIOSH, OSHA,
Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Coalition Ally to Improve Roadway
Work Zone Safety — November 26, 2003
Ways to Prevent
Job-related Roadway Deaths, Critical Research Areas Identified by NIOSH
— November 6, 2003
NIOSH Report
Highlights Motor Vehicle Crash Risk for Workers, Recommends Practical
Preventive Measures — July 27, 1998
Related U.S. Government Web Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities page
External link: http://stats.bls.gov/iif/home.htm
Data on fatal and nonfatal injuries at work from the Census of Fatal Occupational
Injuries, the annual Survey of Occupational Injury and Illness, and other
Department of Labor programs.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
External link: http://www.bts.gov
Comprehensive U.S. transportation statistics for all modes of transportation.
Federal Highway Administration
External link: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov
Information on the U.S. highway infrastructure, safety initiatives, regulations,
environmental stewardship, and congestion mitigation.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
External link: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Information on regulatory and voluntary programs for reducing injuries,
fatalities, and crashes associated with large trucks and buses.
Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
External link: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/49cfrv4_02.html#301/
Safety regulations for operation of large trucks and buses in interstate
commerce in the U.S. See parts 301 to 399.
Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
External link: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/49cfr571_02.html
Minimum safety standards that apply to all motor vehicles manufactured
for sale or use in the U.S.
Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices
External link: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
Federal regulations for operation and set-up of temporary traffic control
zones, including highway work zones and emergency situations.
National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control
Research and information on injury risks that affect the general population,
including motor vehicle crashes.
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
External link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Information on vehicle testing and standards, occupant restraints, impaired
and drowsy driving, and national crash statistics.
Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, Motor Vehicle Safety Page
External link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/motorvehiclesafety/index.html
Information on safety standards, vehicle-related hazards, and partnerships
to reduce workplace crashes.
United States Fire Administration
External link: http://www.usfa.fema.gov
Includes information on vehicle safety for emergency responders.
Other Related Web Sites
AAA Foundation for
Traffic Safety
External link: http://www.aaafoundation.org/home/
Research results and educational materials to promote traffic safety.
American Society of Safety Engineers
External link: http://www.asse.org
Offers resources and opportunities for safety professionals through its
Transportation Practice Specialty.
Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety
External link: http://www.hwysafety.org
Vehicle crash test results and a wide variety of educational materials
on traffic safety. Offers useful state-by-state comparisons of traffic
safety laws.
National Work Zone Safety
Information Clearinghouse
External link: http://wzsafety.tamu.edu
Information for government, industry, and the public to promote the safe
and effective operation of highway work zones.
Network of Employers for
Traffic Safety
External link: http://www.trafficsafety.org
Traffic safety information from a public-private partnership dedicated
to reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries in the nation's workforce
through safety policies, workplace educational programs, safety campaigns,
and corporate community activities.
Share the Road Safely
External link: http://www.sharetheroadsafely.org
Guidance for motorists on sharing the road safely with large trucks.
Texas Transportation Institute
(Texas A & M University)
External link: http://tti.tamu.edu/
Research results from a research center engaged in research, development,
and technology transfer related to all transportation modes.
Transportation Research Board
External link: http://trb.org
Information from the arm of the National Research Council that engages
government, industry, and academia in promoting research, policy studies,
and information-sharing addressing all aspects and modes of transportation.
University of Michigan
Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)
External link: http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
Research results from an interdisciplinary center with expertise in large-truck
safety, human factors, engineering, public policy, and data collection
and analysis.
University of North Carolina
Highway Safety Research Center
External link: http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/
Research results from an interdisciplinary research center that places
special emphasis on alcohol studies, novice drivers and graduated licensing,
pedestrian and bicycle safety, and highway safety information systems.
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