Hands free calling

Is hands free calling permitted within your companies? If possible, please share any policies or guidelines you have.

  1. Cell phones must not be used by the driver when driving – talking or texting. Divers must pull over and park in a safe location before using a cell phone.
  2. The use of hand free is permitted providing the conversation is short and does not distract the driver and/or create other safety issue I.E. operating in heavy traffic, poor weather condition etc.
  3. We currently do not allow hands free calls, but we are looking at updating or rule and allowing (but discourage) it if the vehicle is equipped but not while operating heavy equipment and must also follow all client site requirements.
  4. Cell phones must not be used by the driver when driving
  5. On Site/Company Work Areas:
    No use of cell phone or personal electronics is permitted while a light vehicle is in motion (Includes the use of hands free devices while on a client site  or in company work areas). Vehicle must be pulled over in a safe spot (i.e. pullout, parking lot, or off of an active haul road).  

Offsite (Public Roads): No use of cell phones or personal electronics is permitted while a light vehicle is in motion. Use of a cell phone with OEM hands free device, company installed devices, blu-tooth headset is allowed when on a public road, with the exception  that hands-free devices are not permitted when engaged in commercial or transportation related activities (i.e. operating a Pilot vehicle, Tow Truck, Car Hauler, etc.).

The use of personal electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited in accordance with the Alberta Traffic Safety Act
The above statement (1.) does not apply to the use of cellular phones when:

(a) Operating on Client/Vendor owned private property where use is restricted to conditions set forth by OSSA Driving in the Mine and Client/Vendor site rules and regulations; or

(b) Used in hands-free or Bluetooth mode when operating on a public highway or roadway; or (c) Contacting an emergency response unit. This law restricts drivers from doing the following while operating a motor vehicle: • Using handheld cellphones • Texting or emailing (even when stopped at a red light)

Operators are not permitted to use cell phones; including hands free, while driving onsite or off-site (radios exempted).

We are allowed for the use of hands free calling as long as the specifications we have set are followed.