As odd as that may sound now, if you drive for work during winter or have community and home care workers who do, now is the time to start your winter driving preparations. It’s far more than just making an appointment to install your winter tires. Vehicles are one of the highest sources of injury for SafeCare BC members.

Understand your responsibilities

Did you know you are legally responsible as an employer or supervisor when your employees drive for work anytime, not just during winter? This is the case whether your employees are on the road all day or just once or twice a week or whether they drive a company-owned vehicle or their own personal one. Employers and supervisors must have driving safety policies and practices in place and must provide their employees with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for the driving they are assigned.

Assess employees and their vehicles

Do you know whether your employees have the training they need to drive safely in winter and whether their vehicles can safely handle winter road and weather conditions?

Driving during winter means roads can be slick, visibility can be poor and daylight hours are shorter. Combine that with tight schedules, unexpected demands, and a potential lack of familiarity with routes and locations, and it means community and home care workers are at high risk for being involved in a motor vehicle crash.

Use ShiftintoWinter.ca

ShiftintoWinter.ca offers free information and resources to help you comply with your legal responsibilities and reduce the risks your employees face when they drive during winter. There is a guide to address the specific needs of community and home care workers. There is also an employer tool kit, tip sheets, tailgate meeting guides, and an online course designed specifically for employers and supervisors.

Using these free resources will help enhance employee safety, leading to better client outcomes, reduced organizational costs, and improved business performance. Meeting your health and safety responsibilities is a win-win for everyone.

Download the Winter Driving Safety for Community and Home Care Workers