Winter Driving

INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

Safety Talk OverviewSafety Talks are a method to refresh an employee’s knowledge and skills, maintain their interest in safety and illustrate the organization’s commitment to creating a healthy & safe work environment. Safety Talks can be performed on a weekly basis or before the start of a new scope of work and should be about 15 minutes in duration. Generally, these Safety Talk meetings are led by a supervisor and should be mandatory for all crew members to attend. The content should be centered on a single topic (e.g. a safety rule, safe job procedures, recent incident, Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) meeting minutes, inspection results, etc.).

Topic Overview:

Driving in winter conditions can be both hazardous and stressful. Along with the environmental challenges, the driver is also faced with the distraction of guests in the van. That is why it’s important for that all employers properly train, and orientate their staff on safe driving practices and procedures with regards to operating commercial vehicles in the winter.

Demonstration and Discussion Topics Discuss the hazards involved with winter driving operations. Tour the work area with workers pointing out where the accidents can occur. Distribute the “Do’s & Don’ts” section of this handout. Use the “Instructor Guide” section of the handout as your discussion guide Discuss how accidents can happen. Remind employees that they are required to wear adequate personal protective equipment. Explain what can be done to minimize the risk of accidents (Do’s & Don’ts in handout) Emphasize that following safe work procedures is mandatory. Make it real by telling at least two true stories of injuries from your experience. Discuss the attitude of “it won’t happen to me”. Remind them that an injury can and will happen if they take

shortcuts or are careless. Answer any questions or concerns they might have. Set a good example by working safely at all times. Document the Safety Talk by completing the “Safety Talk Record” section and filing it.

Winter Driving

SAFETY TALK RECORDDiscussion Leader: Date:

Department: Time:

Attendees (Please print your name and sign beside it. If you are a contractor, also include your company name):

Near Miss/Incidents and Investigations Reviewed: (None this month )(Industry alerts can be discussed here as well)

Safety Topic Discussed:Title: Date:

Any questions or concerns from workers?

Action Needed: Person responsible: Due Date: Completed Date:

Reviewed By:

Supervisor/Manager Print Name & Sign: Date:

Winter Driving

Hazards: Environmental

Injury: collisions, loss of control

Equipment: Motorized vehicle

Personal protective equipment: Training required: Provincial Motor Vehicle License

Legal requirements: Provincial Motor Vehicle License

Make sure that your vehicle is prepared for winter driving Winter tires are a good option, as they will provide greater traction under snowy or icy conditions. Keep a snow brush/scraper in your car, along with possible emergency items such as a lightweight

shovel, battery jumper cables, and a flashlight. Make sure that mirrors, all windows, and the top of your vehicle, are free of snow or frost before getting

onto the road.Drive smoothly and slowly

Don’t make any abrupt turns or stops when driving. Doing so will often cause your vehicle to lose control and skid.

Driving too quickly is the main cause of winter collisions. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully on snow and ice covered roads.

Don’t tailgate Tailgating becomes much worse in winter weather. Stopping takes much longer on snowy and icy

roads than on dry pavement, so be sure to leave enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Brake before making turns Brake slowly to reduce speed before entering turns. Once you have rounded the corner you can

accelerate again.

Learn how to control skids When skidding, you actually need to go against your natural instincts and turn into the skid and

accelerate. Doing so transfers your vehicle’s weight from the front to the rear and often helps the vehicle to regain control.

Lights on Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

No “Cruise Control” Never use cruise control if conditions are snowy, icy, or wet, because if your car hydroplanes, your car

will try to accelerate and you may lose control of your vehicle.Don’t “pump” the brakes

If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock breaking system (ABS), do not “pump” the brakes. Apply constant pressure and let the system do its work.

Pay attention Maneuvers are more difficult to make in the snow. Be sure to anticipate what your next move is going to

be to give yourself lots of room for turns and stopping.. Ski Boots

Wear appropriate footwear. Do not wear ski boots while operating a vehicle.

Don’t overload passenger vans

Loading any size of van with equipment and occupants to the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) both raises the height of the vehicle’s center of gravity and moves it rearward. The result is an increased vertical load on the rear tires—and therefore an increased propensity for the vehicle to roll over.

Using proper radio frequencies and protocol while driving on logging roads

Communication is imperative when travelling through a busy logging road. Knowing what’s approaching and when, can prevent a serious fatality.