OSHA to Crack Down on Employee Texting and Driving

The agency said it will focus on texting while driving, and that employers should prohibit any work policy or practice that requires or encourages workers to text while driving.  

The multi-pronged initiative will include: 

• An education campaign to employers, launched during Drive Safely Work Week, calling on employers to prevent occupationally related distracted driving—with a special focus on prohibiting texting while driving; 
• A Website which carries a video message and an open letter to employers from Assistant Secretary Michaels….showcasing model employer policies and teaming up with employer and labor associations to communicate the message;  
• Alliances with the National Safety Council and other key organizations to reach out to employers, especially small employers, to combat distracted driving and prohibit texting while driving;   
• A special emphasis on reaching young workers—working with other Labor Department agencies, as well as alliance partners and stakeholders; and  
• Investigations and, where necessary, citations and penalties, when OSHA receives a credible complaint that an employer requires texting while driving or organizes work so that texting is a practical necessity.