Safety Coach
Hop on the Safety Train
In April, two people died in a crash after a driver tried to beat a train at a crossing in Houston, according to police. You might have read about the crash in the news. What you might not know is these incidents are all too common.
In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates a person or vehicle is hit by a train about every three hours. Nearly 1,000 lives are lost every year in these crashes, and more than half occur at crossings with lights and/or gates. You can help prevent these tragedies by providing education and rail-safety training to your employees.
First, make plans to attend our free online training session Wednesday, Aug. 24. Register now to attend Railroad Safety: Eliminating Unsafe Behaviors Near Railroad Crossings and Tracks. Buck Russell, senior supervisor of public safety at Union Pacific Railroad, will discuss proper railroad crossing and trespasser prevention. He also will highlight at-risk behaviors and suggest ways to change those behaviors.
Then, join us to observe National Rail Safety Week Sept. 19-25.
- Get materials to support your safety efforts from the Operation Lifesaver digital library
- Use our free Safety Huddle sheet to lead a brief safety talk at your location
- Print and display this vintage safety poster from the National Safety Council: Look, Listen, Live: Cross with Care
Set up the conversation like this: You can stop. Trains can’t. Well, we know that’s not exactly true. They can stop. It just will take an average freight train traveling 55 mph about the length of 18 football fields to come to a complete stop. By comparison, an average automobile traveling at the same speed can stop in about 200 feet.
- Watch and share this safety video from NHTSA: The Long Mile.
Rewrite the narrative so the next time you read about your friends or neighbors in the news the story is about a personal triumph, not a horrible crash.
Tailgate Talk
Make Memories, Not Mistakes
On Labor Day weekend, many go looking for one last summer fling. Some of your coworkers, friends and neighbors will throw backyard barbeque parties or head out to the beach. Others make it a tradition to attend a community festival or sit on the lawn at an outdoor music venue. Some celebrate the beginning of the college football season.
The safety message to share at your workplace? Have fun, be safe.
Alcohol consumption tends to spike on long holiday weekends. More than 400 people likely will die in crashes on U.S. roads during the upcoming Labor Day holiday driving period, according to estimates from the National Safety Council. Hundreds more will be injured. Many crash fatalities and injuries can be linked to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Safety is not just for work. Safety is personal. Safety is about your family, friends and coworkers. So, provide continuing education and training on risks associated with impaired driving ahead of all the Labor Day fun.
Keep your employees and their family members safe with these free resources from NSC and its partners:
- Get posters and public service announcements from the Texas Department of Transportation through its Drive Sober, No Regrets campaign
- Use our free Spanish materials to connect with all of your employees (posters, safety huddles, safety coach cards)
- Download the Impaired Driving Playbook from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and share safety messages on your social media channels or via your intranet platform
- Calculate Your Workplace Substance Use Costs
- Address Opioids at Work with this Employer Toolkit
Here’s one more idea: Serve mocktails at your gatherings. Try these recipes:
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s work together to make memories that last a lifetime.