Presentation used for training on cell phone use and operating mobile equipment

1. Cell Phone Use in the Mining
Industry
Wyoming State Mine Inspectors Office

2. Do You????

3. Department of Employment
Cellular 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

8. Skills needed while driving…….
Skill Examples
Visual (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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. States that ban cell phone use

12. States that ban texting and driving

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 2006 University of Utah Study
 Three study participants rear-
ended the pace car. All were
talking on cell phones.
None were drunk.

18. How about YOUR company?
 Does your company have a drug and alcohol
policy?
 Cell phone policy?

19. Is this operator on the phone? Or
Texting?
Do you want to take that chance?

20. Driver’s front tire
Driver’s Seat

22. Thank you and have a safe day!