Motorcycle, Scooter/Moped, Segway, and Bicycle use by Employees – Personal Protective Equipment Policy

William Properzio, Director Environmental Health and Safety

In pursuit of more sustainable processes the University of Florida has seen departments looking to alternate means of transportation such as scooters, bicycles and Segways. These modes of transportation carry risks to the rider associated with falls and the potential for serious or fatal head injury. The use of helmets is proven to reduce the risk of serious injury or death when riding vehicles of this type. In fact, helmet use by bicyclists has been shown to reduce head injury by 85% (Thompson, R.S., Rivara, F.P., & Thompson, D.C. (1989). New England Journal of Medicine, 320, 1361-67). As such, the University has established a new policy requiring the use of personal protective equipment during operation of motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, Segways and bicycles by University of Florida personnel while in the conduct of official business. All university employees who ride their personal or UF-owned motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, or Segway personal transporters for UF business purposes are required to wear a protective helmet that complies with specific appropriate safety standards. The complete policy can be viewed at:

http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/RiskMgmt/helmet.htm

This website also contains additional basic safety information related to the safe operation of these vehicles.