A new survey of National Safety Council members has revealed that 99 percent of companies with policies prohibiting the use of cell phones and messaging devices while driving have experienced no change in productivity -- and some have seen an increase in productivity -- after the policies took effect.

Productivity concerns were the top reason given by respondents who have not established a cell phone policy.

Fifty-eight percent said their organization had a cell phone policy of some kind. Of those, 23 percent have enacted full cell phone prohibition policies, which prohibit employees from using hands-free or handheld phones.

The majority of survey respondents represented manufacturing, transportation and warehousing companies with fewer than 500 employees. Most companies have implemented their policies since 2006, reflecting the dramatic increase in use of wireless technology.

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, an integrated fertilizer and feed products company, is an example of a company that has implemented a cell phone policy.

John R. Hunt, PotashCorp Vice President of Safety, Health and Environment said that there were no particular incidents that led to the cellphone policy, but it was a common value to keep its people safe.

The survey found that although most policies are enforced through an honor system, 43 percent of companies conduct parking lot observations and 40 percent use driver records and traffic citations. Almost 10 percent conduct in-vehicle monitoring, which is a growing area for policy compliance. The four most common disciplinary actions include formal write-ups, verbal warnings, temporary job suspension and termination.