CH2M HILL takes action to promote safe driving among employees, contractors and subcontractors
July 02, 2012
CH2M HILL, a global full-service consulting, design, construction, and operations firm, is implementing a Distracted Driving – Wireless Devices policy on July 5, 2012. This policy was created to support the health and safety of CH2M HILL employees, contractors and subcontractors, which the firm takes very seriously.
The policy prohibits wireless device use by employees while driving on behalf of company business, regardless of vehicle ownership, location or time of day. In addition, it prohibits contractors or subcontractors from using a wireless device when operating a CH2M HILL- or CH2M HILL client-owned, leased, or rented vehicle or when operating any vehicle on a CH2M HILL project site.
The policy also provides guidance to pull off the road to a safe location, with the vehicle securely stopped, or preferably to wait until reaching one’s destination, prior to initiating the use of a wireless device.
Prohibited activities while driving include, but are not limited to:
- Dialing or speed-dialing a wireless device
- Using a hands-free or voice-recognition (blue tooth) device to dial or speed-dial a wireless device
- Engaging in conversation or listening to a conversation using a wireless device
- Checking e-mails or surfing the Internet using a wireless device
- Texting or e-mailing (reading, sending, or screening) with a wireless device
- Programming or entering coordinates into a global positioning system (GPS) device (following directions by a GPS is permitted)
- Using a wireless device for voice recording or dictation
(Please note: These activities are permitted in a safely parked vehicle.)
The policy also describes expectations for if and how it should be adopted by various types of CH2M HILL partnerships, limited liability corporations and joint ventures, with respect to their contractual requirements and existing procedures or polices.
Know the facts
A primary cause of driving incidents leading to fatal and disabling injuries, property damage and imposed company liability is driving while distracted; this includes driving while operating wireless devices, whether they are hands-on or hands-free. With wireless device use becoming more and more prevalent across the globe, the risks we face on the road are changing.
In alignment with its dedicated focus on health and safety, CH2M HILL is taking a stand to reduce the potentially life-threatening dangers its employees, contractors and subcontractors face on the road every day by prohibiting wireless device use while driving on the job.
Headquartered near Denver, Colorado, USA, employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. The firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environmental, energy, facilities and resources. With US$6.4 billion in revenue and 30,000 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record and named a leader in sustainable engineering by Verdantix. The firm has been named a FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For five times. Visit us at ch2mhill.com, twitter.com/ch2mhill and facebook.com/ch2mhill.
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