SAFETY CIRCULATION #01-02

Summarised below is a safety alert sent out by the Canadian Petroleum Safety
Council in Calgary regarding a recent worker injury of a rollover accident in a
company vehicle (note: not a HAZCO incident). As a reminder to all HAZCO
employees who must drive a company vehicle as part of their job, driving is
hazardous and if we drive a lot the level of exposure to the risks increases.

In 1998, motor vehicle incidents accounted for more than $25 million in injury
claims for the WCB of Alberta. This number continues to rise each year.
Alberta has one of the highest collision fatality rates in Canada. Last year alone,
one third of all work-related fatalities reported to Alberta Human Resources were
driving related.

Please read the following incident summary and follow up actions and review it
at your next safety meeting.

This summary can also be reviewed in conjunction with the safe driving
video - “Distracted Driving Test” - currently being circulated.

PSC SAFETY ALERT - DRIVING SAFETY

THE FACTS:
• 50 per cent of fatally injured vehicle occupants are not wearing seatbelts.
• Speed is the primary contributing factor in approximately 30 percent of all
fatal crashes, much higher than even alcohol.
• The average health care cost in the City of Calgary per patient per automobile
collision is $13, 800.00.
• Driver motivation or attitude is the most important predictor of collision
involvement.
• Driver error or misjudgment is a contributing factor in over 85 per cent of
collisions.
• We are the problem – we must recognize this before we can improve the
results.

DESCRIPTION:

A lab technician received potentially serious injuries while driving a truck to

location. His route to location required travel on a gravel road with a posted
speed limit of 50 km/hr (sign was small and inadequate), but he continued to
travel at a speed of 80 km/hr. When he approached an unmarked corner, he
attempted to make a turn while breaking. As a result of the speed being traveled
and his breaking action the truck rolled on the corner. The truck proceeded to
roll down the hill, possibly up to five or six times. The employee was hospitalized

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for several days. The injuries were limited/minimized by the fact that the
employee was wearing his seat belt.

FOLLOW UP:

A number of causes were identified that contributed to this Motor Vehicle

Accident and the resulting Lost Time Injury, they include:

1. Driving with undue care and attention, as the employee was exceeding the
posted speed limit and driving to fast for road conditions.

2. Failure to recognize the hazards associated with driving on gravel roads.

3. Inadequate or limited road signs and markings

As part of the investigation and follow up investigation a number of preventative

measures were recommended, including:

• Ensure employees are knowledgeable of the OH&S policy regarding driving.

• All personnel operating or driving a motor vehicle must ensure that the speed
of travel takes in consideration the type and conditions of the road.
• Improve signage on road. Action taken included, the county put up a speed
limit sign of 40 km/hr and posted a large checker board sign at the corner.

HAZCO’s RULES OF THE ROAD – Taken from the HAZCO’s “Driver’s Vehicle
Handbook.”

All drivers should remember that the Company requires drivers to drive in
accordance with the law. Drivers shall not operate equipment which is defective
or which is not in compliance with the law. Drivers are personally liable and
responsible for the consequences of provincial and community violations.

All drivers and passengers in Company vehicles shall wear seat belts. Those not
wearing seat belts could endanger others, should they be involved in an
accident.

A vehicle must be driven according to weather and road conditions and must be
under control at all times. Vehicles should not exceed posted speed limits.

Drivers of all vehicles should inspect the condition and operation of the following
before starting motion: tires, all lights, horn, windshields, windshield wipers, rear
view mirrors, brakes, steering gear, turn signals, gasoline, oil and water.

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Safety equipment such as first aid kits, reflectors, 30 lb. dry chemical
extinguishers on trucks, or 5 lb. dry chemical extinguishers in cars, shall be
checked regularly.

Incident reports, safety forms, and the latest editions of HEADS UP! can now be
downloaded from the HAZCO homepage: http://www.hazcoenv.com/safety.shtml

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