As the popularity of e-scooters spreads throughout the United States, safety problems have raised concerns among employers.
In barely a year of operation entreprenuers have flooded several American cities with the grown-up versions of a children’s toy. As they became more popular, medical professionals reported a rash of accidents and even two deaths.
Emergency room physician Dr. Lisa Dabby says she’s seen a large number of people who’ve lost their teeth, had broken bones, head injuries, skull and facial fractures. “And I’ve seen a lot of tears, because it’s a really big deal to need surgery or new teeth,” she says.
Attorney Susan M. Schaecher of the law firm of Fisher Phillips, urges employers to adopt an e-scooter safety policy requiring employees to:
- Learn and abide by all applicable laws and regulations.
- Accept that they are responsible for all citations.
- Direct that headphones, earphones and cell phones may not be used during operation.
- Only devices equipped with required and functioning safety devices (lights, reflectors) may be used on company business.
- Require that all employees using e-scooters must have a valid driver’s license.
- Stress that passengers are never allowed.
- Establishing that users are responsible for being in control of the device at all times so as not to endanger the safety of themselves or others.
For employers, this also is good practice for dealing with future technological innovations, Schaecher notes.“It won’t be long before other new transportation technology is on the scene, including self-driving cars.”