what are some regulations regarding the use of cell phones at work?

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FACE/WA Fatality Assessment FATALITY NARRATIVE and Control Evaluation # Floor Installer Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash* Industry: Flooring contractors Task: Traveling in motor vehicle to job site Occupation: Installer Type of Incident: Motor vehicle crash Release Date: January 20, 2011 Incident Date: November 17, 2008 Case No.: 08WA05801 SHARP Report No.: 71-99-2011 On November 17, 2008, a 22-year-old flooring installer died in a work-related motor vehicle crash. The victim was employed by a company that installs flooring products. He was traveling to a job site in the backseat of a private vehicle with three coworkers. All occupants of the vehicle were wearing seatbelts. At about 7:30 AM their vehicle was traveling along a highway when the vehicle's driver briefly looked down to change the radio station and the vehicle swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a truck. Three of the vehicle's occupants were treated for minor injuries at the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital where he died. Employers should develop policies that promote safe driving practices. On average, 19 people per year die in work-related motor vehicle traffic crashes in Washington State. About 1 out of 7 of these people are employed in the construction industry. ## Requirements ! All occupants in a motor vehicle must use the seatbelts installed in the vehicle. See WAC [redacted identifier] ! All vehicles must have secured seating and enough seating available for those who will be riding in the vehicle. See WAC [redacted identifier] ! Enforce mandatory seat belt use. See WAC [redacted identifier] and RCW 46.61.688 ## Recommendations ✓ Establish company safe driving policies and procedures. ✓ Institute a safe driver training program with periodic refresher training. ✓ Alert employees to the hazards of driving while tired, in the dark, and distracted driving. ✓ Do not allow employees to use a cell phone, even a hands-free cell phone, while driving. ✓ Do not…

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# SMARTPHONE/MOBILE DEVICE DISTRACTIONS Date Published: 05/12/2025 ## Smartphone/Mobile Device Distractions Safety is of utmost importance on construction job sites. Recently, a new hazard has emerged in the form of mobile device distractions. While we all know the dangers of distracted driving, it is essential to also be aware of the hazards posed by mobile devices on construction sites. Working on a busy job site or operating heavy machinery requires full attention and concentration. Any kind of distraction or inattention can result in injury to oneself, others, or even death. When it comes to using mobile devices on a construction site, many hazards are associated, especially when operating or working around vehicles and equipment. Using a mobile device on-site diverts your attention from the task or the dangers surrounding you. You may even be tempted to remove your safety gear to access your phone. If you're engaged in a phone conversation, your mind won't be fully focused on your work or safety. It's essential to be mindful of the dangers associated with mobile devices on construction sites. Your safety and the safety of those around you should always be your top priority. ## SMARTPHONE DISTRACTIONS Although smartphones can be a necessary tool for communication on job sites, they can also distract workers from potential hazards and recommended safety practices. The average worker is interrupted almost a hundred times daily due to email, text messages, and social media notifications. These constant interruptions are just the tip of the iceberg. Smartphones put productivity, job site safety, and privacy at risk. Imagine operating a dangerous piece of machinery and having your phone go off, stealing your attention away from the important task at hand. Workers must communicate hands-free and without distraction while operating motorized vehicles such as cranes and forklifts or high-powered machinery such as saws and drills. Reaching for a smartphone or a…

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# information verbally. c. Employees must have unrestricted access to SDSs. This means the employer cannot require workers to ask for the SDS (for example, stored in a locked office). d. There is no requirement to translate SDSs (for example, into a foreign language, braille). However, it is recommended that the employer ensure that information from the SDS is available to employees in a manner they would understand easily in case of emergency. - Employers may be cited if CSHO interviews reveal that workers do not have an understanding of the chemical hazards they work with or that are in their work areas. e. Mobile Worksite Access. • SDSs may be stored at a primary workplace instead of a mobile, remote, or temporary worksite (for example, construction worksite), as long as there are no restrictions to workers' access. - If the SDSs are stored at the primary workplace, the employer must ensure there is no delay in a worker receiving a requested SDS while at any mobile, remote, or temporary worksite. ○ Access may be accomplished by having a representative always available at the primary workplace or through other technological means (for example, email, smart phone, electronic tablet). • The employer must address in their written hazard communication program how SDS information will be conveyed to remote worksites. f. OSHA will not cite companies for maintaining SDSs when these products were received prior to June 1, 2015. • If the manufacturer has gone out of business, the employer's responsibility is to maintain the SDS (or MSDS) for that product and not to create a new SDS. . The HCS 2012 does not require employers to contact manufacturers, importers or distributors to obtain new SDSs of products for which they currently have MSDSs. • Employers may contact manufacturers, importers or distributors of products they have previously ordered from to request new SDSs, and if they do so, the manufacturer or importer is required under 1910.1200(g)(6…

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# Recommendation #4: Construction work zones and construction vehicle/equipment traffic flow should be designed to avoid backing up vehicles/equipment as much as possible. (cont.) ## Discussion: (cont.) supervisors/superintendents and the construction vehicle drivers and other key personnel be equipped with two-way radios. The radios can be used to not only provide for the exchange of important project information, but they can also be used to send and receive warnings of hazards. In this instance the truck driver could have contacted the superintendent and asked if he wanted to talk with him. If not, the driver could have told the superintendent to stand clear as he was backing down the road or he could have asked for someone to act as a spotter as he backed down the road. The superintendent also could have called the dump truck driver to let him know that he and others would be working in the middle of the road marking a section of the storm sewer and to not back down the road until they were done. The ability to communicate effectively should be a standard part of a work zone operating safety plan. Both construction vehicle and equipment drivers need to be able to communicate with workers on foot so that both parties can safely interact with each other in a busy work zone. Two-way radios can help provide greater control of this activity and can help provide quick and clear instruction to both the workers and drivers during routine production activities and in hazard or emergency situations. Recommendation #8: Careful consideration should be given to the use of cell phones when working in construction work zones around moving equipment. ## Discussion: Serious safety issues have been identified with the use of cell phones while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) "driver distraction” is a contributing factor in at least 20-30 % of all motor vehicle collisions. A recent study by the University of Utah claims that cell ph…

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# SMARTPHONE/MOBILE DEVICE DISTRACTIONS (cont.) ## TIPS FOR CONTROLLING SMARTPHONE DISTRACTIONS ON THE JOB SITE (cont.) work • Wait until your lunch or rest break to use your mobile device for personal calls or other activities and only use it in specially designated safe areas. • Never operate a mobile device near flammable fumes or liquid or in a flammable environment. • Turn off your mobile device completely when working to avoid startling yourself or someone in the area. • Let your calls go straight to voicemail when you're working. Retrieve them at a more convenient time. • To reduce the temptation to use mobile devices on the worksite, supervisors should ask workers to keep them in their vehicles or store them in lockbox at the site trailer. a • If you have an urgent matter that requires you to keep in contact with family members, inform your supervisor, and work out a plan for safe communication. • If you need to access crucial work-related information on your mobile device, stop work activities, inform your supervisor, and move to a safe work area. • Supervisors should limit their mobile device use to site trailers, site offices, or other designated safe areas away from general work activities. They should not make or take calls while directing activities on the site.

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# SAFE CELL PHONE USAGE 14:10 Last Review: 08/01/2025 ## Date Posted: 08/28/2016 The use of a cell phone and other similar hand held devices can allow employees to be more available, no matter their physical location. Multi-tasking while using a hand held device is tempting and can prove deadly when combined with operating motorized vehicles and on the job sites. Cell phones and other hand held devices must be used safely. The National Safety Council estimates that 1.6 million crashes are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting each year. ## OPERATING MOTORIZED VEHICLES • Do not use your cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. • Do not text while driving a motor vehicle. • Allow voice mail to pick up your calls and listen to the messages after you have park your vehicle. • Review emails and texts when your vehicle is parked. • Use a hands free device to answer cell phone calls • When placing a call, stop your vehicle in a safe place. Resume driving after your call is completed. • Avoid wearing headphones in operations that require communication with other vehicle operators. ## WORKING • If your job requires you to use a cell phone, do not talk or answer the phone while you are performing another task that requires your attention. • Always select a safe spot to make or receive calls. • Avoid texting while working directly in a construction site. ## QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION • What are some dangers of using your cell phone while driving? • Have seen drivers using their phones? What have you noticed about their driving? ## PRESENTER TIPS • Pre-read the Toolbox Talk. Your comfort level and confidence will be higher if you know your topic. • Discuss related tasks, work areas or events that make the Toolbox Talk relevant to your job site. • Involve the workers by asking questions and input that drives discussion.

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# Table: Wire Rope Deficiencies (cont.) ## Duties of Crane Operators and Other Employees (cont.) MNOSHA Instruction CPL 2-1.57A August 16, 2021 # 1. §1926.1417(a) through (e). Operation. ## Inspection Guidance a. The employer's compliance with most provisions of §1926.1417 and 1926.1418 can be confirmed by observing workers operating the equipment. - For example, during operations, note: - how and where suspended loads are left unattended; • if there any employees in areas where they may be struck by moving equipment or the load; - whether the job involved buildings, vehicle/pedestrian traffic, weather, ground conditions, etc.; - the condition of the equipment--are the tires inflated, are outriggers fully extended, are panels missing, and are there any signs of fluid leakages?; ■ the time, date, and any construction activities being performed when it appeared that the equipment was undergoing repairs or was idle; - where barrier and warning signs have been erected; - how the loads are handled. For example: what kinds of loads are hoisted? Are there any lifts out of the view of the operator? Does the crane have to travel with the load?; " who appears to be in charge or making decisions affecting safety? For example, who communicates with the operator? Are there signals given to the operator? Under what circumstances are the signals given? - if the full attention of the operator is on operation of the equipment. Note if an employee is using a cell phone while operating the equipment and determine if the cell phone is being used for signaling purposes. In accord with Subpart CC, a cell phone may only be used as a means of communication with the signal person and would have to be a hands-free system when used for that purpose. ## Remote Controls The use of equipment with remote controls is becoming more common on construction sites, especially when materials are hoisted onto a structure. Therefore, note when the operator uses remote con…

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# Mobile devices while driving ## Explain dangers Distracted driving is the number-one killer on Ontario roads. It is responsible for more deaths than impaired driving or speeding. Distracted driving can be caused by using a mobile device while you're behind the wheel. This includes: - Talking or texting on a phone - Manually dialing or scrolling through contacts - Programming or looking at your GPS - Looking at display screens of devices that are unrelated to driving such as laptops, MP3 players, or DVD players. Studies have shown that drivers who use a mobile device while driving are four times more likely to be in a collision. Most of us drive to and from work with our mobile devices within arm's reach. Whether it's a personal or work-related call or text, it can be difficult to resist the urge to answer or take a look. However, each time you read a text or an email, you're taking your eyes off of the road for at least four seconds. Studies have shown that drivers who take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds are twice as likely to have a crash. ## Identify controls Use hands-free devices-In Ontario, it's against the law to use hand-held communication and entertainment devices while driving. Although hands-free devices are permitted, you're not allowed to manually dial a phone, scroll through contacts, or program your GPS. Don't use your devices-There is no conclusive evidence that using a hands-free device is safer than using a hand-held one. So the best practice is not to use a mobile device while operating a vehicle. Resist the urge to look at or answer emails or text messages until you've finished driving. Let all phone calls go directly to your voicemail. If you must send a reply or make a call, pull over to a safe spot off the road. To resist the urge to use your device, you can: - Turn off your device or switch it to silent mode before you get in the car. - Silence any audible notifications that tempt you to check your phone w…

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# Mobile devices on worksites ## Explain dangers We all know the dangers associated with distractions while driving. But what about the distractions caused by mobile devices on worksites? Working on a busy jobsite or operating tools and heavy machinery requires your full concentration. Inattention or distraction can result in injury to yourself, injury to others, damage to property, or even death. Operating a mobile device diverts your attention away from the task at hand or the hazards around you. If you're engaged in a phone conversation, your mind is on something other than your work or your safety. You may even find yourself removing your safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hat in order to access your mobile device. Remember: It's not just you. Your co-workers can also become distracted, putting you in danger. ## Identify controls - Never use your mobile device on a worksite unless authorized by your supervisor. That includes talking, texting, emailing, playing games, etc. - Never use your mobile device while operating any tools, machinery, equipment, or vehicles or while performing activities that require your full attention. • Don't use your mobile device while receiving work instructions or safety-related information. - Wait until your lunch or rest break to use your mobile device for personal calls or other activities. But only use it in specially designated safe work areas, such as a site trailer or break room. - Never operate a mobile device near flammable fumes or liquid, or when you're in a flammable environment. - Turn off your mobile device completely when working. If your ringer goes off, it may startle you or someone in the area. • Let your calls go straight to voicemail when you're working. You can retrieve them at a more convenient time. • To reduce the temptation to use mobile devices on the worksite, ask workers to keep them in their vehicles or store them in a lockbox at the site trailer. - If you have…

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# Responsibilities 16 VAC 25-97-40 A. While an employee is functioning as the designated observer/ground guide, they shall: 1) NOT engage in other activities not related to the covered vehicle being signaled. 2) NOT use cell phones, personal head phones and similar devices that might pose a distraction to this duty. 11

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# Work-Related Motor Vehicle Fatalities (cont.) ## A Retrospective Review of Work-Related Motor Vehicle Fatalities in Maine (1998-2008) (cont.) Table 7 provides a description of the different detailed categories of fatal non collision events. The number event that accounted for a high percent of these fatalities was: ## • Jack-knifed or overturned <table><tr><th colspan="6">Table 7: Detailed events in highway non collision fatalities in the United States</th></tr><tr><td>Year/Event Codes 4140-4149</td><td>2003</td><td>2004</td><td>2005</td><td>2006</td><td>2007</td></tr><tr><td>Jack-knifed or overturned</td><td>252</td><td>262</td><td>273</td><td>254</td><td>250</td></tr><tr><td>Ran off highway</td><td>35</td><td>19</td><td>14</td><td>14</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Non-collision between vehicles, unspecified or not elsewhere classified</td><td>30</td><td>32</td><td>30</td><td>29</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Others</td><td>4</td><td>10</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Total Non collision accidents</td><td>321</td><td>323</td><td>318</td><td>303</td><td>286</td></tr></table> The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends the following practical steps to preventing motor vehicle related fatalities. ## As part of a driver safety program, NIOSH recommends employers should: • Provide a key member of the management team with responsibility and authority to set and enforce a comprehen- sive driver safety policy. • Require use of seat belts by all persons in a vehicle used on the job. • Select vehicles that provide high levels of occupant protection. - Maintain complete and accurate records of driving performance. • Stipulate that driving is a task that requires full attention, including instructions to avoid placing or taking cell phone calls while the vehicle is in operation. • Set schedules that allow adequate time for employees to make deliveries or visit clients without violating traffic laws or safety regulations.…

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# SÉCURITÉ ET HYGIÈNE DU TRAVAIL W210 R.M. 217/2006 (i) radio communication, (ii) telephone or cellular phone communication, or (iii) any other means that provides effective communication given the risks involved; (b) any of the following: (i) a system of regular contact by the employer with the worker working alone or in isolation. (ii) limitations on or prohibitions of specified activities, (iii) the establishment of training requirements; and (c) where applicable, the provision of emergency supplies for use in travelling or working under conditions of extreme cold or other inclement weather conditions. - 9.3(3) An employer must post a copy of the safe work procedures in a conspicuous place at the workplace. - 9.3(4) An employer must review and revise the procedures not less than every three years or sooner if circumstances at a workplace change in a way that poses a risk to the safety or health of a worker working alone or in isolation. (i) des communications radio, (ii) des communications par téléphone conventionnel ou par téléphone cellulaire, (iii) tout autre moyen de communication efficace compte tenu des risques; b) les éléments suivants (i) un système permettant à l'employeur de communiquer régulièrement avec la personne qui travaille seule ou en isolement, (ii) la limitation ou l'interdiction d'activités précises, (iii) l'établissement d'exigences en matière de formation: c) s'il y a lieu, la fourniture de matériel d'urgence pour les déplacements ou les travaux effectués par froid intense ou par mauvais temps. - 9.3(3) L'employeur affiche les procédés sécuritaires au travail à un endroit bien en vue dans le lieu de travail. - 9.3(4) L'employeur examine et révise les procédés au moins une fois tous les trois ans ou dans un délai plus court si la situation dans le lieu de travail change à un point tel qu'elle représente un risque pour la sécurité et la santé d'une personne travail…

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# Table: Wire Rope Deficiencies (cont.) ## § 1926.1417. Operation and § 1926.1418. Authority to (cont.) 1926.1418 can be confirmed by observing workers operating the equipment. For example, during operations, note: ■ how and where suspended loads are left unattended; - if there any employees in areas where they may be struck by moving equipment or the load; " whether the job involved buildings, vehicle/pedestrian traffic, weather, ground conditions, etc.; " the condition of the equipment--are the tires inflated, are outriggers fully extended, are panels missing, and are there any signs of fluid leakages?; • the time, date, and any construction activities being performed when it appeared that the equipment was undergoing repairs or was idle; • where barrier and warning signs have been erected; - how the loads are handled. For example: what kinds of loads are hoisted? Are there any lifts out of the view of the operator? Does the crane have to travel with the load?; - who appears to be in charge or making decisions affecting safety. For example, who communicates with the operator? Are there signals given to the operator? Under what circumstances are the signals given? " if the full attention of the operator is on operation of the equipment. Note if an employee is using a cell phone while operating the equipment and determine if the cell phone is being used for signaling purposes. In accord with Subpart CC, a cell phone may only be used as a means of communication with the signal person and would have to be a hands-free system when used for that purpose. ## Remote Controls The use of equipment with remote controls is becoming more common on construction sites, especially when materials are hoisted onto a structure. Therefore, note when the operator uses remote controls to position the load and also offload the equipment. In support of any citations regarding the operator being distracted, it is important to document what activities distracted the operat…