If your employees are out on the highways, give them these winter weather travel tips from the American Society of Safety Engineers.

• Be careful when driving on bridges and overpasses. Elevated roadways are the first roadways to freeze in winter conditions.

• Reduce your speed and increase following distances between vehicles. A vehicle needs three times more space to stop on slick or icy roads. Visibility is also more difficult in winter weather conditions.

• To avoid skidding, take corners very slowly and steer gently and steadily. If you skid, turn the steering into the skid; ease off the accelerator, but do not break suddenly.

• If you are stranded or stalled, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Drivers should carry a cell phone, with a charged battery, in order to call for help. Motorists should also have an emergency kit in the vehicle along with additional warm clothing.

• Use headlights during adverse weather and use fog lights in dense fog.

• Maintain a safe distance behind snow plows and vehicles that are salting the roads.

• Do not travel if temperatures are expected to be extremely cold.

• Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to travel – businesses should maintain information on employee driving destinations, driving routes, and estimated time of arrivals. Be patient while driving in winter conditions.

• Make sure the vehicle is winterized. Have a mechanic look at the battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, tire tread, and oil level. Carry a windshield scraper.

• Check weather conditions before traveling. Monitor National Weather Service winter storm watches, warnings and advisories.

• Always wear your seatbelt, and properly restrain children in the back seat of a vehicle.

• Do not drink and drive.

(From J.J. Keller’s OSHA Safety Training Newsletter, November 2009)