Accidents can happen to any of us, whether we are on foot, cycling or driving
Excessive speeding, STOP signs not respected, a cyclist on the wrong side of the road, a pedestrian not paying attention, someone on a mobile phone while driving - are you familiar with any of these situations? The HSE Unit would like to express its opinion in light of the road accident statistics involving personnel at CERN.
In 2011, the HSE Unit's Accident/Incident Prevention and Follow-up Service recorded 28 motoring accidents involving personnel either on the CERN site or on journeys to and from work - double the 2010 statistics! These include accidents that could have been avoided by reducing speed or not using a mobile phone while driving.
At CERN, the majority of accidents linked to journeys continues to affect cyclists, with the number of cases now close to 30 each year. In order to ensure the safety of personnel, the HSE Unit would like to remind cyclists that wearing a protective helmet is highly recommended and that it is essential to ensure that you can be seen (bicycle lights and a retro-reflective vest).
Any person involved in or witnessing an accident or a near miss must complete an internal accident report form. These reports form the basis for analysing problems and for taking measures to enhance safety. By reporting a near miss you are helping to prevent any recurrence of a similar incident and therefore to reduce the accident toll.
In line with the Staff Rules and Regulations, disciplinary measures may be taken in the event of instances of road rage on the CERN site. To avoid such instances occurring, please comply with the traffic regulations. And there's nothing like a bit of common sense and common courtesy to improve driving conditions at CERN or anywhere else, whether at the border crossings, at a log-jammed roundabout or in slow-moving traffic!
On and off the CERN sites there is one way of protecting yourself and others, even on short journeys: namely, comply with the traffic regulations and remain alert!
More information can be found in Operational Circular No. 4 and Safety Codes A7 and A2.
HSE Unit
