Cell Phone Use in the Mining Industry

Wyoming State Mine Inspectors Office

Do You????

Department of EmploymentCellular Telephone Usage Policy With the ever increasing number of automobile accidents involving the use of cellular

telephones, including hands free devices, and the number of claims and other litigation matters being filed against employers as a result of employees being involved in accidents while using these devices, the following policy shall apply to all employees of the Department of Employment.

While operating a State owned vehicle or a personal vehicle while on State business, the use of cellular telephones, including personal cellular telephones and/or hands free devices is prohibited while the vehicle is in motion. This only applies to the driver of the vehicle. If it is necessary for the driver to use a cell telephone or to take a call, the driver must get completely off the road and stop the vehicle. If on a highway it is recommended that the driver get off the highway at the next exit so not to be near the flow of traffic. If this is not possible, and only in cases of dire emergency, the driver must get off the highway on the shoulder as far to the right as possible and turn on the four way flashers. If in town, find a legal place to park the vehicle. Only when the vehicle is safely and legally off the road, parked and fully stopped is the driver allowed to use a cellular telephone.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal from employment.

Cell Phone Policies

Of the companies in the State of Wyoming that were surveyed, a little more than half reported having a cell phone policy.

The policies ranged from “Hands Free” only to no use what so ever in a company vehicle.

One company even prohibited receiving work related calls in a personal vehicle.

Cell Phone Policies

TWO mining companies do not allow cell phones to be brought onto the property by employees.

But all admit that enforcement is very hard.

Cell Phone Policies

Of those companies with Cell Phone policies = ALL prohibited texting in company vehicles or while driving for company business.

Skills needed while driving…….Skill ExamplesVisual (Seeing) watching the road (in front and around the vehicle)

using mirrors, shoulder checks checking gauges, speedometer, etc.

Auditory (Listening) squealing of brakes the sirens of an emergency vehicle vehicle sounds

Biomechanical ('Doing', Activity, Hand-eye coordination)turning the steering wheel activating signals, headlights, horn, etc. pressing the accelerator, brakes, clutch

Cognitive (Thinking) anticipating any future movements assessing situations such as movement of other vehicles, weather conditions, etc. preparing to avoid hazards

Skills needed while driving…… To use a cellular telephone, the operator also

needs all of these skills:

Visual - locating correct buttons, scanning screen Auditory - listening to conversation Biomechanical - pressing buttons, holding phone Cognitive - engaging in conversation

Multitasking is a myth!!!

Human brains do not perform two tasks at the same time. Instead, the brain handles tasks sequentially, switching between one task and another. Brains can juggle tasks very rapidly, which leads us to erroneously believe we are doing two tasks at the same time. In reality, the brain is switching attention between tasks – performing only one task at a time.

States that ban cell phone use

States that ban texting and driving

Wyoming State Law

Currently – Bill passed the Wyoming Legislature BANNING texting while driving.

Goes into law on July 1, 2010

Concerns from senators that it is un-enforceable.

2006 University of Utah Study

Found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.

2006 University of Utah Study Drivers on cell phones were 5.36 times more

likely to have an accident than undistracted drivers.

Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly slower.

9 percent slower to hit the brakes.

2006 University of Utah Study Displayed 24 percent more variation in

following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing.

Were 19 percent slower to resume normal speed after braking.

Were more likely to crash.

2006 University of Utah Study

Three study participants rear-ended the pace car. All were talking on cell phones. None were drunk.

How about YOUR company?

Does your company have a drug and alcohol policy?

Cell phone policy?

Is this operator on the phone? Or Texting?

Do you want to take that chance?

Driver’s front tire

Driver’s Seat

Thank you and have a safe day!