Sponsored by Columbia Southern University

According to research by job-search website CareerBuilder, mobile devices can reduce overall productivity at work, surpassing surfing the internet and gossiping. Survey results show that 1 in 5 employers think workers are productive less than five hours a day. When looking for a culprit, 55% say that workers’ mobile phones (texting, gaming, etc.) are to blame.

Outside of productivity decreases, distractions from mobile devices can impede employees’ spatial awareness, recognition of hazards and operation of equipment. Employees may face civil and criminal liability for damages that result from incidents caused by texting while driving, engaging in other work, answering personal communications on devices or being distracted from work.

What can safety professionals do to help organizations avoid litigation and keep their employees safe? How can distractions from mobile devices be remedied without infringing on employee privacy and rights? What policies and practices should employers implement? What are the liabilities for each party?

Join Columbia Southern University for a webinar discussion and Q&A session focused on linking mobile devices and workplace safety to discuss these topics. CSU’s occupational health and safety professor Ralph Blessing will lead the discussion.

Speaker

Ralph Blessing, Professor, Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University adjunct professor Ralph Blessing has more than 27 years of occupational safety and health experience encompassing general industry, construction, training and public speaking. Blessing became certified as an afloat safety manager and received his Safety Management Certificate from the Naval Safety Center during this tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. He holds a master’s degree in occupational safety and health.

Moderator

Alan Ferguson, Associate Editor, Safety+Health magazine.

Ferguson covers worker safety for Safety+Health.