Winter Driving Between Job Sites
Why it matters
Dark mornings, black ice, loaded trucks, and a tight schedule all meet on the drive between sites. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S., and NIOSH says all workers are at risk, even when driving is only part of the job. OSHA's winter guidance says drivers should be trained for winter weather and should check lights, defrosters, wipers, and tires. Today: the truck, the road, and the schedule.
Hazards
- ⚠ Black ice on bridges, ramps, and shaded curves
- ⚠ Loaded trucks and trailers stretching stopping distance
- ⚠ Dark starts and low sun angles hiding hazards
- ⚠ Unsecured tools and material becoming projectiles in a stop
- ⚠ Fatigued or rushing drivers making it up on the road
- ⚠ Phones taking eyes off the road at highway speed
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Pre-trip in winter: tires, wipers, washer fluid, lights, scraper, and a charged phone.
- ✓ Clear ALL glass and lights of ice and snow before rolling, plus the roof so it does not sheet onto the windshield.
- ✓ Slow down and triple following distance on cold mornings; assume bridges are ice.
- ✓ Secure the load: tools boxed or strapped, trailers hitched with chains crossed and lights checked.
- ✓ Leave earlier instead of driving faster; the schedule never pays for the crash.
- ✓ Phone rule in company vehicles: park to talk or text. No exceptions on the clock.
- ✓ Report closures and near-misses so the next crew reroutes.
What OSHA says
Exact words from the official text, with a link to each paragraph.
“recognize the hazards of winter weather driving, for example, driving on snow/ice covered roads; are properly trained for driving in winter weather conditions”
“Inspect all exterior lights, defrosters (windshield and rear window), and wipers”
“Check for proper tread depth and no signs of damage or uneven wear”
“An emergency kit with the following items is recommended in vehicles”
“All workers are at risk of crashes, whether they drive light or heavy vehicles, or whether driving is a main or incidental job duty.”
By the numbers
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S. (NIOSH, Motor Vehicle Safety at Work)
- From 2011-2022, more than 21,000 workers in the U.S. died in a work-related motor vehicle crash (35% of all work-related deaths). (NIOSH, Motor Vehicle Safety at Work)
Site check before the talk
Walk the site and tick each line. Each line comes from the text quoted above.
- ☐Every driver knows the hazards of snow and ice roads and is trained for winter driving. (OSHA Winter Weather: Winter Driving (training))
- ☐Check all outside lights, the defrosters, and the wipers before you roll. (OSHA Winter Weather: Winter Driving (lights and wipers))
- ☐Check tire tread depth and look for damage or uneven wear. (OSHA Winter Weather: Winter Driving (tires))
- ☐Each truck carries a winter emergency kit. (OSHA Winter Weather: Winter Driving (emergency kit))
Quotes checked word for word against the official OSHA text on October 5, 2026. This is a summary for a crew talk, not legal advice; the full official text governs. How we check
Crew discussion questions
- What does the route to this site look like at 5:30 a.m. in January?
- Whose truck needs tires or wipers before the next storm?
- How do we secure tools in the cabs and beds right now?
- What is our real phone policy when driving between sites?
Applicable OSHA standards
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