3. Department of Employment
Cellular Telephone Usage Policy
With the ever increasing number of automobile accidents involving the use of cellular
telephones, including hands free devices, and the number of claims and other litigation
matters being filed against employers as a result of employees being involved in accidents
while using these devices, the following policy shall apply to all employees of the
Department of Employment.
While operating a State owned vehicle or a personal vehicle while on State business,
the use of cellular telephones, including personal cellular telephones and/or hands
free devices is prohibited while the vehicle is in motion. This only applies to the driver
of the vehicle. If it is necessary for the driver to use a cell telephone or to take a call, the
driver must get completely off the road and stop the vehicle. If on a highway it is
recommended that the driver get off the highway at the next exit so not to be near the flow
of traffic. If this is not possible, and only in cases of dire emergency, the driver must get
off the highway on the shoulder as far to the right as possible and turn on the four way
flashers. If in town, find a legal place to park the vehicle. Only when the vehicle is safely
and legally off the road, parked and fully stopped is the driver allowed to use a cellular
telephone.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and
including, dismissal from employment.
4. Cell Phone Policies
Of the companies in the State of Wyoming
that were surveyed, a little more than half
reported having a cell phone policy.
The policies ranged from “Hands Free” only
to no use what so ever in a company vehicle.
One company even prohibited receiving work
related calls in a personal vehicle.
5. Cell Phone Policies
TWO mining companies do not allow cell
phones to be brought onto the property by
employees.
But all admit that enforcement is very hard.
6. Cell Phone Policies
Of those companies with
Cell Phone policies = ALL
prohibited texting in
company vehicles or while
driving for company
business.
7.
8. Skills needed while driving…….
Skill Examples
Visual (Seeing) watching the road (in front and around the vehicle)
using mirrors, shoulder checks
checking gauges, speedometer, etc.
Auditory (Listening) squealing of brakes
the sirens of an emergency vehicle
vehicle sounds
Biomechanical ('Doing', Activity, Hand-eye coordination)
turning the steering wheel
activating signals, headlights, horn, etc.
pressing the accelerator, brakes, clutch
Cognitive (Thinking) anticipating any future movements
assessing situations such as movement of other
vehicles, weather conditions, etc.
preparing to avoid hazards
9. Skills needed while driving……
To use a cellular telephone, the operator also
needs all of these skills:
Visual - locating correct buttons, scanning screen
Auditory - listening to conversation
Biomechanical - pressing buttons, holding phone
Cognitive - engaging in conversation
10. Multitasking is a myth!!!
Human brains do not perform two tasks at the
same time. Instead, the brain handles tasks
sequentially, switching between one task and
another. Brains can juggle tasks very rapidly,
which leads us to erroneously believe we are
doing two tasks at the same time. In reality,
the brain is switching attention between tasks
– performing only one task at a time.
13. Wyoming State Law
Currently – Bill passed the Wyoming
Legislature BANNING texting while driving.
Goes into law on July 1, 2010
Concerns from senators that it is un-enforceable.
14. 2006 University of Utah Study
Found that people are as impaired when
they drive and talk on a cell phone as they
are when they drive intoxicated at the legal
blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.
15. 2006 University of Utah Study
Drivers on cell phones were 5.36 times more
likely to have an accident than undistracted
drivers.
Motorists who talked on either handheld or
hands-free cell phones drove slightly slower.
9 percent slower to hit the brakes.
16. 2006 University of Utah Study
Displayed 24 percent more variation in
following distance as their attention switched
between driving and conversing.
Were 19 percent slower to resume normal
speed after braking.
Were more likely to crash.
17. 2006 University of Utah Study
Three study participants rear-
ended the pace car. All were
talking on cell phones.
None were drunk.
18. How about YOUR company?
Does your company have a drug and alcohol
policy?
Cell phone policy?
19. Is this operator on the phone? Or
Texting?
Do you want to take that chance?
The next slide, the video starts automatically. The sound is adjusted very low so you can talk while the video is playing.
How many of you go to a bar and drink yourself under the table then get in your car and drive?
If you won’t do this….if it is unthinkable, why do you talk on your cell phone and drive? Text? Do you not realize that it is the same or worse, with texting, than driving drunk?
The State of Wyoming came out with this policy in October of 2008. All employees had to sign this document and cell phone use is prohibited in State owned vehicles while the vehicle is moving. But how many of you still automatically reach for that phone when it rings? Can you pull over before answering? Do you even think about it or does it occur to you after you have answered? It is a very hard habit to break.
I was surprised that there are companies with no cell phone policy.
Enforcement is very much an issue. How does an employer know that an employee is on the phone? Or texting? It is hard to see into cabs and even in a shop or plant environment, employees are very secretive and have learned how and when to make personal calls. In the survey a few companies have reportedly fired employees that have violated the cell phone policy, but these are very rare. How does YOUR company enforce it’s policy? (open for discussion)
Texting is an even bigger problem at work because so many can text (or so they think) and do other things at the same time. The following video shows how texting affects driving abilities. (when you switch slides, the video should start automatically, if not, just click on it.)
Kind of says it all.
So, do you think you can multitask? What is multitasking? Why is it so prized in our society????
This is a 2008 map that shows those states that ban cell phone use – most require hands free devices.
Partial bans refer to banning younger drivers from texting.
Many of the opponents to the current Wyoming bill says that enforcement is the biggest problem with this bill. But what are the alternatives? And if using a cell phone and/or texting are illegal, what does that do for your company policy? (open for discussion)
Even though this study was done in 2006, subsequent studies have shown the same results.
Following video shows how cell phone usage is effecting the work force and work place.
If your employees are not allowed to come to work intoxicated, then why are they allowed to have cell phones on the job?
This is what a 240 ton haul truck does to a pickup.
So think before you pick up that phone to place a call or to text. It might be your life, it might be a stranger or it might be a family member. Is it worth it?
