Tag Archives: Highway Safety

May 7 – 13 is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

NAOSH

Each year, over 1,100 workers are injured in the trucking industry. In addition to the danger and harm done to our drivers and workers, direct and indirect costs from injury are said to exceed $90 million annually.

Employees and employers in the trucking industry can both stand to benefit from a better understanding of safety procedures within their working environment.  Benefits can include:

> Reduced risk of workplace injury
> Secure livelihood and the ability to support self and family
> Improved quality of life
> Longer career
> No lost time due to injury

Occupational Safety and Health are real concerns within the trucking industry. TransX is committed to ensuring the safety of our drivers.  Each year, we recognize safe driving at our Annual Safety Awards Banquet. Drivers have the discretion to stop driving if they think they are at risk, regardless of the cause. Our safety training programs are comprehensive and provides adequate training on topics such as winter driving, dangerous goods handling, slip and fall and border security, just to name a few.

The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is a continent-wide event spanning Canada, USA and Mexico that highlight to the public, government, and industry the importance of increasing understanding, raising awareness and reducing injuries and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

It is a great opportunity to think again about safety when you are in or outside of the cab!  Visit the NAOSH website for more information.

Winter Survival Kit

Slippery or snow covered roads, reduced visibility, and bitter cold temperatures – winter in Canada can be quite unpredictable for drivers. That is why it is important for us, as drivers, to be prepared at all times and for all types of road conditions.

 

winter survival kitOne of the ways you can stay safe on the roads in winter is to keep a ‘survival kit’ with you on your long drives. Your kit should include items that would help you survive for 24 – 48 hours at a minimum, even without a heater.

 

 

Here are some items you might consider stocking up on for your ‘winter survival kit’:

  1. Matches & Candles
  2. Flashlights & Extra Batteries or a Wind Up Flashlight
  3. Non-perishable foods like protein or energy bars
  4. Water in Plastic Bottles (in case the water freezes, you don’t want the bottle to break)
  5. Blankets or sleeping bag
  6. Extra clothing such as shoes / boots, mitts, hats
  7. Shovel, Scraper and Snowbrush
  8. First Aid Kit
  9. Seatbelt Cutter
  10. Saw or Hatchet
  11. Wire and rope
  12. Tow rope
  13. Jumper cables
  14. Basic tool kit with pliers, crowbar / hammer, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, duct tape and WD40
  15. Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter

The list may seem long now but in the case of an emergency, you’ll be glad to have these items on hand! If you don’t already have a survival kit, take the time now to prepare one. When the roads get treacherous, remember to stay safe. Trust your judgement and take a break from your driving if you think the roads are not safe for driving.