The proliferation of personal technology, predominantly cell phones, Blackberrys and iPods, now infiltrates work life as well as leisure time. These devices are impacting job safety, a not-so-good vibration being felt, literally, from coast to coast.
A Boston trolley driver is distracted while sending a text message and slams into another car, injuring scores of passengers. Even more horrific is the operator of a commuter train in Los Angeles who, while looking down to send a text message, hits another train and causes the deaths of 20 people.
Research by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute revealed that a truck driver looking down while texting for a mere six seconds while motoring at 55 miles per hour will travel the entire length of a football field, and not realize he traveled so far, so fast. No longer is it only intoxicated drivers who are dangerous, it is the "intexticated" drivers, as well.
The Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone activity contributes to 636,000 motor vehicle crashes, 330,000 injuries, and 2,600 fatalities, each year. Although it's hard to put a number on how many of those are "work-related," such as truck drivers, delivery drivers, salespeople on their way to the next meeting, it is safe to say employers need to be aware of potential ramifications.
Some businesses have already noted the number of injuries and rising costs associated with workplace distractions by adopting policies on banning cell phones. These employers understand the potential liability connected with this behavior. All you have to do is look back a few years to a company that had to settle a case for $16 million because one of its salespeople killed an elderly person when driving while talking on a cell phone.