The Distraction of Constant Access

But with that constant access to communication and information (through mobile browsing of the Internet), the joys of communication lead to the sorrows of distraction. And perhaps the worst part of it all is that many of us are distracted but either don’t know we are, or are in denial that it is an issue – “I can multitask,” you might say in justification.

And multitasking can be particularly dangerous in work environments and/or while driving. Distracted driving or working is a big cause for many incidents that cause injuries or death. There has been much empirical evidence and many studies conducted in recent years measuring the distraction level of people who drive while talking or texting on a phone, and even some situations where construction workers, for example, who talk on the phone while on an active job site get injured or killed because they are focused on the conversation and not on what is happening around them.

This distraction can impact not only drivers, but those who operate heavy machinery, power tools, work with hazardous materials, workin confined spaces, and even safety officers, lifeguards, security officers or police officers as well. Distraction takes away productivity.

Consider some of these facts about distractions:

• People who text on a cell phone will driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or a near-miss than drivers who don’t.
• People reaching for a moving object while driving? Nine times more likely to crash or have a near-miss.
• Talking on a cell phone? Four to five times more likely.
• Reading? Three times more likely.
• Farding (applying makeup)? Three times more likely.

As you can see, there are a variety of distractions while driving, but three of the top five distractions involve a cell phone – talking, texting or reading message/e-mails.

But the worst part might be the denial of distraction.

‘I Am Used to This, So I am Not Distracted’

Annnnd, something bad happens right after this is said.

Those who are distracted by cell phones while driving or working in risky environments can try to justify this by claiming results of various studies that say being distracted is not much different than (insert some other minor mental impairment).

Oh really? Consider some of these myths, and their corresponding realities:

• Myth: The brain is complex and can do two things at once. Truth: Anytime the brain has to switch between paying attention to surroundings and engaging in a conversation, it can’t actually do both. The moment you do one thing, the brain is distracted from the other.
• Myth: Going hands-free with cellphones takes away the risk of distraction because both hands remain on the wheel. Truth: Driving is as much a mental activity as it is a physical one. A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that when someone is talking on a cell phone (even hands-free), the brain’s ability to process motion of objects the eyes see drops by nearly 40 percent – meaning slower reaction times.
• Myth: Talking on a cell phone is still beter than driving drunk. Truth: Really? Never mind the previous point above about slower processing of motion; a University of Utah study found that distracted drivers using cell phones have the same reaction times as drivers who were minimally intoxicated (with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent). In other words, not exactly the best anticipaters of what others are doing.

Music of the Head and Heart?

Another very prominent distraction can be music – especially music of a certain type and volume level. Research has found that people are more easily distracted with aggressive, fast-tempo music at a high volume. Slower music at a moderate or low volume – at a tempo of about 60 to 80 beats per minute, or the equivalent of a normal human heartbeat – is less distracting and sometimes may actually help some people focus.

So while you may be one who likes to blast music in your car or on your little radio at your desk, you might want to keep the volume down and turn away from heavy metal or other similar types of music that would elevate your heart rate. Soft rock or classical music would be better music to work or drive by because they are more easily background music and not something to impact your brain adversely.

Focus on Rules

With distractions such as these, it has become more of a public safety issue for laws to be passed restricting or prohibiting distracted activities like driving or working in a hazardous environment. As a safety professional, it is important for us to remember that focused workers are the best workers and are the workers that seem to avoid incidents and injuries more often. While we can’t get into a person’s head and control their focus, we can certainly do our part to mitigate external distractions by implementing policies that restrict or prohibit cell-phone use during hazardous activities like driving or operating certain tools or equipment. As there are laws on the books that make it illegal to talk on a cellphone while driving, there are some laws that give companies leverage to implement their own policies regarding distractions or potential distractions in the workplace as a safety protocol.

The most basic preventive to workplace incidents is a worker who is focused on work. And whatever we can do to help that worker stay focused while he or she is on the clock can go a long way in impacting productivity and a company’s safety record.

For more information, check out the January/February 2016 issue of OHS Canada magazine at the website, and search for “Accident Prevention.”