To address the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the construction industry, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has teamed up with the National Safety Council (NSC) and the Road to Zero Coalition. The initiative focuses on reducing fatal motor vehicle incidents that occur during work-related travel, particularly in construction, where vehicle-related injuries are a significant concern.
In 2023, transportation-related incidents accounted for 36.8 percent of the 5,283 fatal workplace injuries in the U.S., with construction workers being disproportionately impacted. This joint effort seeks to implement safety protocols, reduce these tragedies, and promote a culture of safe driving both on construction sites and during transportation to and from job locations.
OSHA is urging construction employers to prioritize safety by incorporating motor vehicle safety into their overall safety and health management systems. This includes developing comprehensive driving policies, conducting vehicle maintenance, and training workers to avoid distracted, drowsy, and impaired driving.
“Unlike a construction site, the roadway is an open environment with many unpredictable factors. Preventing work-related vehicle incidents requires applying both traffic safety principles and construction-specific safety practices,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary for Occupational Safety and Health. “By working together with the National Safety Council and the Road to Zero Coalition, we can drive policies that protect workers both on the job and on the road.”
Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the NSC and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “In construction, the most dangerous part of the job can often be traveling to the site. This partnership is critical in helping us protect construction workers who are driving for work purposes. Together, we can improve safety on the road for all, whether they’re operating heavy machinery, driving a work truck, or sharing the road.”
OSHA’s Motor Vehicle Safety webpage provides essential resources for construction employers to create and implement effective vehicle safety policies. These resources cover vehicle maintenance, seat belt use, and driver safety training. The webpage also emphasizes the importance of involving construction workers in safety program development to ensure practical, real-world solutions that reduce road-related risks.