Prepare to Shift Into Winter

BURNABY, BC, Oct. 19 /CNW/ - With this year's weather forecasting a possible La Niña, the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation and WorkSafeBC are reminding each driver to prepare yourself and your vehicle to "Shift Into Winter".

Highways, roads, and city streets are workplaces that can become hazardous when the weather changes. Snow, ice and rain create serious occupational hazards for workers who are behind the wheel every day as part of their job.

Motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) are one of the major causes of worker deaths in BC. Last year  21 workers in BC lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. 

"Workers and the general driving public need to remember that driving is a serious business and that changes in the weather only heighten the need to take care," said Mark Ordeman, WorkSafeBC's industry and labour services manager for transportation. "Early darkness, slippery roads and reduced visibility are just some of the risk factors that can contribute to work-related driving injuries and even fatalities."

"Winter weather significantly increases the risk of a crash," said Allan Lamb, Executive Director of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation.  "Our message with this campaign is, be prepared.  Prepare yourself, prepare your vehicle and be prepared to drive for the weather conditions."

To help reduce the risk of occupational injury for those who drive for work, WorkSafeBC has developed safe driving fact and tip sheets, designed for distribution by employers to their staff, which are available www.WorkSafeBC.com.

About the Partners:

WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves about two million workers and more than 200,000 employers.  WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The organization is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.

The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation is a non-profit registered charity working with families, communities and business partners to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes and injuries in B.C. by developing effective community oriented programs and interventions that make a difference.   More information about the foundation is available at www.BCAATSF.ca or by calling 604-298-5107.

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