A Call To Action

s members of ASSE, working in all industries throughout the U.S. and around the world, we continue to make great strides in improving workplace safety. Yet, year after year, transportation crashes continue to be the leading cause of on-the-job deaths. In 2005 alone, 6,159,000 vehicle crashes killed 43,443 people while injuring 2.7 million. In addition, fatal transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal workplace

event, accounting for 2,480 of the 5,702 total fatal occupational injuries recorded in 2005. The economic impact of all transportation accidents in the U.S. in 2005 was $230.6 billion.
     So how can we help make a difference? North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, which runs May 6-12, 2007, is one tool we can use to increase awareness of the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace.

In This Issue

Handling Accident Investigations
& Reconstruction

A look at investigation techniques, equipment needed, evidence, occupant movement, professional ethics and testimony.

Bridges & Tunnels in the
Nation's Largest City

An interview with Martha Walther, of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Statistics Tell The Story

Key statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the World Health Organization reveal the toll taken by roadway crashes.

Shop Safety Checklist

A checklist to help these garages conduct regular safety inspections.

Transportation &
Food Distribution Safety

This articles examines the risks posed to the nation's food safety and discusses actions to be taken to prevent intentional attack on the food supply.

Injuries Sustained in Low-Speed Collisions: Fact or Fiction

Guidelines for performing an accurate accident reconstruction.

Safety Vehicle Operations

An aggressive safe vehicle operations program can help improve financial results, increase knowledge and improve employee morale.

Value of a
Written Safety Program

Developing a written safety program can help you analyze critical business elements and can provide insight into areas in need of improvement.

Effective Driver Training Programs

Sound training helps reduce costs and increase revenue streams.

Pandemic vs Preparedness

A review of actions companies can take to prepare for an outbreak of avian flu.

• On-the-Job. In 2004, 5,703 people died from on-the-job injuries, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Of those, 2,460 were transportation-related—with 1,374 were roadway related, 335 were non-roadway related, 230 involved aircrafts, 377 were pedestrians struck by a vehicle, 90 involved a water vehicle and 50 occurred on a railway.
• Male Dominated. In 2005, a total of 43,443 people died from traffic crashes. The majority of those killed were drivers— 23,240—and males made up 75.7% of the total number of people/vehicle occupants killed in car crashes, while females made up 24%.
• Vehicles. Four-wheel-drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are designed to be driven for work, hauling and off-road purposes. NHTSA reports that SUVs are four times more likely to roll over than passenger cars in high-speed maneuvers. In addition, some smaller, top-heavy SUVs have

rolled over in NHTSA side-impact collision testing. SUV-to-car collisions are six times more likely to kill the occupants of the smaller vehicle when U.S. Fatal Accident Reporting System, 6,483 motor vehicle operators involved in fatal crashes had previous recorded crashes; 3,904 had previous recorded suspensions or revocations; 889 had previous DUI convictions; 9,829 had previous speeding convictions; 7,974 had previous other harmful moving convictions.
• Weather. In the U.S., most crashes occur during normal weather during daylight hours. This is true for fatal crashes, injury crashes and property-damage-only crashes. The next deadliest time for driving was during rainy periods followed by snow/sleet periods. crashes, injury crashes and property-damage-only crashes. The next deadliest time for driving was during rainy periods followed by snow/sleet periods.
• Incapacitated. Of the 2.7 million

injured in car crashes, 286,000 are incapacitated and likely will never regain full use of their bodies.
• Telling Trends. Police reports provide valuable insight to crash trends:
1) 58% of fatal crashes involved only one vehicle, compared with 31% of injury crashes and 31% of property-damage only crashes.
2) More than half of fatal crashes occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or more, while only 23% of property-damage only crashes occurred on these roads.
3) Collision with another motor vehicle in transport was the most common first harmful event for fatal, injury and property-damage-only crashes. Collisions with fixed objects and noncollisions accounted for only 19% of all crashes, but accounted for 44% of fatal crashes.
5) Nearly 40% of fatal crashes involved alcohol.