What if you could capture on video the seconds immediately before and after an injury-causing incident in the workplace? One employer hopes to do just that.
Washington DC’s Metro public transit system is installing cameras on its entire fleet of 1,500 buses to monitor bus driver performance and improve safety.
The new cameras constantly record when the buses are running. When a driver makes any extreme movement — a sharp turn or a quick stop — the cameras capture the eight seconds before the incidents and the four seconds after. The video and audio are also automatically downloaded from the bus.
“Because the operator knows the camera will be watching him or her, they will try to minimize the times the system is triggered, and it will lead them to be more alert,” said Metro assistant manager Jack Requa.
The cameras will be very sensitive. Even driving over a pothole could trigger recording.
Metro has contracted with DriveCam which will analyze data from any incidents for Metro.
The system is also expected to help reduce damage to buses, workers’ compensation claims and injuries.
The head of the bus drivers’ union didn’t object to the cameras but said they too narrowly focused on driver skills.
Do you think the driver cams will help improve safety? You can leave a comment below.
