|
THE
PROMPT
Newsletter of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
Volume 5, No 6, June 2013
INSURANCE TIPS
USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE DRIVING
Establishing a policy for the use of mobile phones and other wireless devices while driving should be part of your organization’s safety program. Research has proven using wireless devices while driving increases the risk of an accident. Some provinces in Canada have passed a law making it illegal to use a hand-held device while operating a vehicle (including GPS devices, mobile phones, iPods and/or other electronic driving distractions).
Below is an example of a policy and guidelines for the use of wireless communication devices while operating vehicles and equipment.
POLICY
Employees may not use wireless communication devices, either hand-held or hands-free, while operating a moving vehicle during company business. A moving vehicle can be a company- or employee-owned vehicle. Government legislation against the use of wireless devices shall overrule this Policy, except where this Policy is more stringent than the legislation, in which case the Policy shall overrule.
Communication devices covered by this policy include: hand-held and hands-free phones, car phones, mobile phones, text messaging devices, all smart phones, pagers and two-way radios.
It is not the intent of this policy to remove wireless communication devices from vehicles as they are important safety tools. It is suggested that the driver keep their cellular phone with them at all times so that contact may be made in the case of an emergency.
GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES WHILE DRIVING
- Incoming calls are not to be answered until the employee has safely pulled the vehicle over and placed it in park or in neutral with the emergency brake applied. At this point the employee may accept or return the call provided that the vehicle remains parked off the roadway for the duration of the call. Driving may resume when the communication has ended and it is safe to re-enter the normal flow of traffic.
- Outgoing calls are not to be placed while driving. Before making a call, an employee must first pull over safely, put the vehicle in park or in neutral with the emergency brake applied and then make the call. Driving may resume when the communication has ended and it is safe to re-enter the normal flow of traffic.
- Text messaging or emailing is not permitted while driving. Before sending a text message or email, an employee must first pull over safely, put the vehicle in park or in neutral with the emergency brake applied and then make the call. Driving may resume when the communication has ended and it is safe to re-enter the normal flow of traffic.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Safety is a priority. When pulling over to receive or place a call, employees are expected to consider their safety and the safety of those around them. Consider whether it is safe to stop before doing so. Look for potential hazards such as narrow shoulders, high congestion, and busy freeways. It is important to assess the risks and stop only in an area that is safe, and where resuming driving does not add unnecessary dangers.
Voicemails should make reference to not answering the phone while driving. For example: “Hello, you have reached the cell phone of (employee name). I am either away from my phone or driving. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can. If your call is urgent, please contact (alternate personnel) directly at (phone number).”
ENFORCEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with this policy. Violation of this policy is considered a serious offence and will result in various penalties ranging from corrective action to termination of employment.
Click the image above or visit this link for more information.
CARI EVENTS
CARI’s 72nd Annual Convention
June 20 – 22, 2013
at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Registration forms and exhibitor information now online
www.cari-acir.org/en/con2013en.html
CARI’s B.C. Chapter Golf Tournament
July 17, 2013
at Richmond Country Club
in Richmond, B.C.
http://www.richmond-cc.org/index.php?page_id=90
CARI’s National Golf Tournament
August 22, 2013
at Glen Abbey Golf Course
in Oakville, ON
http://glenabbey.clublink.ca
CARI’s 16th Annual Consumers’ Night
October 28, 2013
at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
in Toronto
For information on CARI events contact Donna Turner at (905) 426-9313.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
August 27 – 28 Louisville, KY
2013 Resource Recycling Conference
Resource Recycling Inc.
www.rrconference.com
September 11 – 12 Orlando, FL
2013 E-Scrap Recycling Conference
Resource Recycling Inc.
www.e-scrapconference.com
October 2 – 4 Calgary, AB
2013 Waste Reduction Conference
Recycling Council of Alberta
www.recycle.ab.ca/conference
October 27 – 29 Warsaw, Poland
2013 World Recycling Convention and Exhibition
BIR
www.bir.org
November 13 – 15 ; Singapore
Electronics Recycling Asia 2013
ICM
www.icm.ch
|
French