Winter Driving Safety:
A Presentation for Employers,
Supervisors and
Drivers / Workers
Driving in winter
Background information
• Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of
work-related deaths
• Vehicle collision rates in B.C. significantly increase
between October and December
• Winter roads in can be challenging even for
experienced drivers
• B.C. winter driving season: October 1st - April 30th
2
Everyone is responsible for safety
Motor vehicles are workplaces
• Make sure you know your health and safety
responsibilities, including:
- Employers: establish, deliver and maintain an
OHS program that addresses driving risks
- Supervisors: instruct drivers in safe work
procedures
- Drivers: be safe on the roads; follow all laws and
workplace safety rules; report unsafe conditions
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Shift into Winter
Prepare your vehicle
• Make sure it is up to the challenge of winter weather
Prepare yourself
• Driving in winter puts you at greater risk of being
in a crash
Drive for the conditions
• Thinking about it now could save you from
problems later
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Prepare your vehicle / company vehicles
• Install four matched winter
tires (look for the mountain
and snowflake logo)
• Get a tune-up
• Install new winter-wiper
blades
• Clear snow from all vehicle
surfaces
• Carry a charged cell phone
• Keep the gas tank topped up
• Pack a winter survival kit
5
Prepare your vehicle: tire chains
• Use chains if you do not have
winter tires
• Safely install chains before
reaching an uphill grade.
• Look for signage for
directions on chains
• A set of four studded tires
can be used throughout the
winter season
6
Prepare yourself
• Learn winter driving skills
• Check road / weather
conditions
• Plan route ahead of time
• Leave lots of time
• Be alert, rested and wear
comfortable clothing
• Take someone with you
• Follow working alone
procedures where applicable
• Don’t panic if you get stranded
7
Drive for the conditions
• Before driving, consider
ways in which to eliminate/
reduce /manage road risk
• Determine if winter travel
is absolutely necessary
• Explore alternatives to
travel (phone, e-mail, tele/
video-conferencing, public
transportation)
8
Drive for the conditions
• Drop speed to match
conditions
• Maintain a safe following
distance
• Watch for black ice
• Accelerate and brake slowly
• Know how to handle a skid
• Don’t use cruise control
• Be cautious around other
vehicles
9
Checklist
10
Tip sheets
Three tips sheets
are available at
worksafebc.com
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Review
• Vehicle collisions increase during winter
• Manage road risk at the workplace
• Prepare your vehicle (or fleet)
• Prepare yourself (or your drivers)
• Take changing conditions into account when
planning a work trip
• Slow down and drive for the conditions
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For more information
www.worksafebc.com
www.drivebc.ca
www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
www.icbc.com
www.tc.gc.ca
www.bcaatsf.ca
Questions?