ESTEVAN — Over 160 attendees gathered at the Southeast College Estevan campus on Jan. 8 for the annual Safety Stand Down, an event hosted by Independent Well Servicing Ltd. (IWS) and supported this year by Energy Safety Canada. The focus of the 2025 event was driving safety – an increasingly urgent issue as driving to and from work sites remains the most dangerous part of the day for workers in Saskatchewan's oil and gas sector.
"In our line of work, [driving] is by far the most dangerous part of our day," said Brian Crossman of IWS, who welcomed the attendees. Highlighting the magnitude of the issue, he asked for a show of hands from those who had lost a loved one, friend or co-worker in a vehicle accident – a sobering exercise that visibly resonated with the crowd.
Crossman noted motor vehicle collisions are surpassing other hazards as the leading cause of workplace injuries. He emphasized that high numbers are a call to action, saying, "Just by showing up for an hour or two, you're all making our industry just a little bit better."
The keynote speaker, Ryan Jacobson, CEO of the Saskatchewan Safety Council, brought decades of expertise and a powerful message to the event. With a background in industries including agriculture, mining, and oil and gas, Jacobson was recognized in 2018 as Canadian Safety Professional of the Year and has been involved with many safety organizations and initiatives.
"Driving is still one of the number 1 causes of fatality for working-age people all over the world," Jacobson told the audience.
He stressed the importance of understanding and mitigating risks, saying that if you can correctly align your own capabilities with the correct perception of the environment, your risk of collision is significantly lower.
Jacobson explored common issues impacting driving safety, such as decision-making, risk tolerance, and other factors like impairment, fatigue and distractions. He noted that while most Saskatchewan drivers are well-trained, poor decisions often lead to accidents.
"If we all know stop signs mean stop, and red lights mean stop, why are 50 per cent of collisions at intersections where somebody fails to stop correctly?" he asked.
Jacobson emphasized the importance of simple yet effective measures, such as proper seatbelt use, adjusting mirrors to eliminate blind spots, and adhering to speed limits. He noted speed is the number one factor that a driver has control of.
"Control your speed. It is a huge factor."
Saskatchewan's pioneering efforts in driving safety were also celebrated. Jacobson reminded attendees that the Saskatchewan Safety Council, which was started in 1955, created North America's first universal driver education program, making the province a leader in road safety innovation. He further highlighted that 95 per cent of Saskatchewan drivers went through 2023 without an at-fault collision – a testament to the strength of driver education programs.
However, Jacobson acknowledged areas needing improvement, such as consistent seatbelt use, especially for short trips on rural roads.
"Last year in Saskatchewan, one in five fatalities did not correctly have a seatbelt attached," he said. "It's 2025, and we shouldn't still be having this conversation."
Jacobson also tackled distractions, urging drivers to eliminate them and remain focused.
"It's not just phones – it's conversations, eating and other in-car activities that take your mind off the road," he warned.
The event provided actionable strategies to improve driving safety, focusing on awareness, preparation and decision-making. Jacobson encouraged attendees to share what they learned and make safety a priority in their personal and professional lives.
