Prevention Measures for Vehicle Collision Hazards

Despite its limited regulatory role in regard to motor vehicle hazards, OSHA nonetheless works alongside NIOSH and the oil and gas extraction industry to address vehicle collision and transportation-related hazards. One outcome from the collaboration between OSHA, NIOSH, and the oil and gas extraction industry is NIOSH research that identifies recommendations to reduce the number and rate of injuries, as follows:

• All employers must require and enforce seat belt use. Workers must wear seat belts that meet OSHA standards except when they are using equipment that is operated standing up or that lacks rollover protection (29 CFR 1926.601[b][9]).
• All employers, especially small contractors, should establish and implement a comprehensive safety and health program that specifically addresses vehicle collision hazards.

In addition to general safety precautions, regarding vehicle collision hazards, the safety and health program should include the following components:

• A designated person to oversee the program and implement all possible safeguards to protect workers.
• An effective worker training program that includes a special focus on training new and short-service employees (SSEs). A short-service employee is an employee with less than six months of service in the same job and same position.
• Clear policies regarding the prevention of worker fatigue.

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