Distracted Walking

I have learned after all the years I have been in safety, I have not seen everything.  This latest safety issue was brought up at the Governor’s Safety Conference (although it’s been around for a while) - “distracted walking”.  You heard correctly.  There are many people using their cell phones and other devices and not paying attention to where they are walking.  In fact, several times over the last couple of years I have been walked into by someone using their device, not paying attention to where they are going, and then they give me a dirty look.

According to Liberty Mutual Insurance, data has revealed that 60 percent of pedestrians do other things while they’re walking like texting, emailing, talking on the phone, or listening to music. And even though 70 percent consider those behaviors to be dangerous while walking in a crosswalk—it doesn’t stop them.

An article in HRM partners states that “...According to recent studies, ‘distracted walking’ is a growing safety concern. According to an article this past summer by the Associated Press, reports of distracted walkers treated at emergency rooms has more than quadrupled in the past seven years.”

The bottom line is that we all need to pay attention to where we are walking, riding, etc., especially while at work.  Another issue is that if employers allow employees to use these devices in this manner, what is their L&I liability for employees injured on the job while using them?

Just think, we humans will always be figuring out new ways to hurt ourselves in the future so we in safety will never rest.

If you need help regarding a safety issue give us a call at Evergreen Safety Council, we can help.

Contributed by By Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council