Friday, January 17, 2020 
Winnipeg – SAFE Work Manitoba's new SAFE Driving at Work Plan aims to help employers make driving safer for their workers.
The plan was created to address the number of work-related fatalities caused by vehicle collisions in Manitoba. From 2014-2018, one in five work-related deaths reported to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba were caused by vehicle collisions, and the number of Manitobans killed each year while driving for work has been climbing steadily over that period of time. This upward trend is counter to a continued decline in work-related injuries overall.
The SAFE Driving at Work Plan will be carried out in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and the province's industry-based safety programs. The plan will offer tools and services to Manitoba employers, including consultations, a half-day workshop and a comprehensive online toolkit, to help them create and implement safe driving programs that fit the needs of their workers, job tasks and workplaces.
"No employer wants to see one of their workers injured or killed," said Jamie Hall, Chief Operating Officer of SAFE Work Manitoba. "We know that employers have a unique influence on their workers' actions on the road, and can help their workers manage risks if they must drive for work. As well, our partnership with Manitoba's industry-based safety programs will help support the delivery of safe driving tools and training for their employer members."
SAFE Work Manitoba will collaborate with Manitoba Public Insurance on public education and awareness efforts, including two new work-related driving scenarios for the DRIVR-X virtual reality experience. The two organizations will also work together to expand data collection about work-related driving incidents, injuries and fatalities. The additional data will help SAFE Work Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance and other safety partners identify and respond to trends, measure improvements and improve communication with Manitoba employers and the public about work-related driving hazards and recommendations for safe driving at work.
"Driving for work should never result in tragedy, or serious injury,” said Ben Graham, CEO, President, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Reducing work-related collisions is a shared responsibility on a number of levels ─ the employee, their employer and likeminded road safety partners.
“Manitoba Public Insurance is committed to the reduction of fatalities and collisions in our province. We continue to educate and raise awareness through a variety of initiatives, including the SAFE Driving at Work Plan.”
The SAFE Driving at Work Plan was announced at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Manitoba Public Insurance's Auction Hall (Building B) at 1981 Plessis Road, Winnipeg.
For more information about the SAFE Driving at Work Plan, visit safemanitoba.com/safedrivingatwork.
About SAFE Work Manitoba
SAFE Work Manitoba ― a division of the WCB is dedicated to the prevention of workplace injury and illness. Working with our partners in the safety community, we provide prevention education, safety programming, consulting and strategic direction to create a genuine culture of safety for all Manitobans.
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For Media Enquiries:
Darlene Muise
Manager - Communications
WCB Manitoba and SAFE Work Manitoba
204-954-4864; 1-855-954-4321, ext. 4864
www.wcb.mb.ca
www.safemanitoba.com
