The bulletins explained the link between cell phone use and traffic accidents. Employees were also encouraged to pull over before using their phones. Merck provides hands-free sets to employees and distributes guidelines as part of their broad safety program for its employees. Verizon Wireless gives its employees who drive company vehicles a defensive driving course which includes tips on cell phone use. They also give out hands-free sets and brochures on safe driving with cell phones.
Employees are more likely to die from a traffic accident than any other job hazard.
Obviously if you're glued to your cell phone for business purposes, the need for making and receiving phone calls is much greater. Many companies give their employees cell phones to use for this reason. Unfortunately, the number of cell phone-related accidents has grown and some companies are getting the blame. If your company doesn't already have a policy on cell phone use, it's a good idea to create one, especially if you are providing the phones. Be sure to include a section on safety while driving if you can't ban cell phone use altogether.