highway safety Canada

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

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.

Know Your Roads – Winter Driving Conditions to Watch Out For

Whether you’re driving for our Western, Eastern or Line Haul divisions, you’re sure to encounter some risky and dangerous road conditions in the winter from time to time. Especially if you’re driving longer routes, you might even witness drastic differences from region to the next!

So what do you have to watch out for? Let’s start with the basics:

Blizzards
Blizzards are the most dangerous of winter storms and are a combination of snow, high winds and low temperatures.
Issue: Falling, Blowing or Drifting Snow can significantly reduce road visibility

Heavy Snowfall
How much snow is considered a heavy snowfall? Environment Canada defines heavy snowfall as 15 – 20 cm within 24 hours (accumulation may be lower in temperate climates)
Issue: Reduced visibility

Freezing Rain or Drizzle
These can lead to ice storms resulting in icy and slippery roads and reduced visibility.
Issue: Ice covered roads, trees, power lines etc.

Cold Snap
A cold snap refers to rapidly falling temperature over a short period of time resulting in extreme cold.
Issue: Icy road conditions

Winds
Winds often create blizzards by causing blowing and drifting snow.
Issue: Reduced visibility and chance of wind chill

Black Ice
Just as the name suggests, black ice refers to the thin layer of ice on a road that is often hard to see and can make the road look black and shiny. Remember that the roads tend to freeze more quickly in shaded areas, on bridges and on overpasses and can remain long after the sun comes up!
Issue: Extremely slippery roads

Slush
Slush is what we call wet snow. Normally, melting snow is a good thing (means that temperatures are rising!) but slush can make it difficult for you to steer when it builds up in the well wheels.
Issue: Affects your steering

Remember, safety first on the road! Remember your training and trust your judgement. Stop and take a break from driving if you think the roads are unsafe.

Do you have any winter driving stories to share?

Safety First!

Nearly every job requires some level of safety training and every organization should make it a priority to ensure their assets are protected. Unfortunately long-haul trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs and safety has more to do about the driver then it does the vehicle.

If trucking is a lifestyle to you, then taking care of Your Life is probably your top priority. Safety tips for you are; getting quality family time, a balanced diet, proper sleeping routines, exercising, and feeling confident behind the wheel. These are important to you, your family, and to us too.

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TransX takes an integrated approach to improve and advance human performance.

Driving has more fatalities than flying. Without proper training your safety is at risk and it’s not even you that we are worried about, it’s the millions of other people on the road. It’s the icy winter roads and it’s recognizing and anticipating hazardous driving situations and how those situations should be safely and properly handled.

At TransX we take a proactive approach to Your Life. We understand that when you leave your family behind that they have peace of mind you are returning safely and unharmed.

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Safety and Space for Trucks on Highways

Driving in winter is never fun, not for city drivers, not for rural roads and especially not for highways.

In some areas we’re all so used to bumper-to-bumper driving that we can’t help but carry the same attitude with us on the highway. Unfortunately this can have disastrous results.

Witness what happened recently to one couple who got too close to a semi truck, as reported by The Weather Network:

The lesson to be learned is for all drivers to be aware of all surroundings. As seen in the report, the weather conditions were in white-out conditions and its at times like this where even the sturdiest of trucks can incur some impact and if you’re not keenly aware of what’s going on around you, you may otherwise not feel deep impacts like the pull of an extra vehicle. Similarly, if a civilian car is not acutely paying attention to the truck in front, to the side of or behind them, then accidents can happen.

Remember – the best way to ensure your car’s safety is to give plenty of space. Truck drivers, including TransX drivers, are well trained in being aware of other vehicles on the road, but remember that view is limited. The best tip? If you can’t see a truck driver’s rear-view mirror, there’s a good chance they can’t see you either.