Transportation professionals should not overlook the importance of having an effective safety program.By developing a step-by-step formal reference containing the company’s safety-related policies and procedures, carriers can provide employees the knowledge and skills necessary to perform at a qualified level.
Developing a Program Overview
Fleet safety is dependent on management’s commitment to implementing a formal safety program. An effective safety program will interact with most aspects of fleet operations and challenge the skills and knowledge of its supervisors and drivers.
Carrier checklist:
Put the safety program in writing and be sure it is supported by management.
Designate a person who has responsibility for safety and compliance with regulations.
Give the safety director opportunity for professional development by attending training seminars and industry association meetings.
Have the company and its supervisory staff maintain membership and remain active in trade and professional associations.
Ensure the fleet safety program provides the framework for safety management to:
Recruit and screen new drivers
Monitor driver qualifications and safety infractions
Provide training to upgrade driver skills including defensive driving and avoiding distracted driving
Provide a formal mechanism for investigating and reviewing accidents
Implement safe driving incentives
Monitor maintenance and equipment safety
Oversee and implement regulatory compliance
Establish carrier safety standards
Communicate program goals to drivers and supervisory personnel
Monitor program effectiveness
Offer recognition to drivers who meet the required standard of performance
Monitor driver retention/turnover rates, and investigate the cause behind poor rates
Preventable Accidents
Work to reduce accidents that occur because the driver did not act in a reasonable manner to prevent them. In judging whether the driver's actions were reasonable, determine whether he or she drove defensively and demonstrated skill and knowledge. The concept of a preventable accident is a fleet safety management tool designed to:
Help establish a safe driving standard for the driver
Provide a criterion for evaluating individual drivers
Provide an objective for accident investigations and evaluations
Provide a means for evaluating the safety performance of individual drivers and the fleet as a whole
Provide a means for monitoring the effectiveness of fleet safety programs
Assist in dealing with driver safety infractions
Assist in the implementation of safe driving recognition programs
Carrier checklist:
Develop a company program for investigating accidents
Establish an accident review committee
Define a standard for the safe driving performance of company drivers
Ensure the company standard for safe driving performance is challenging enough to highlight areas for safety improvement
Instruct drivers about the company standard for safe driving
Instruct drivers about company procedure for evaluating the preventability of accidents
Qualifications and Performance
Driver performance is key to an effective safety program. Safe driving requires skill, knowledge, integrity and physical and mental health. Public safety and company reputation requires that drivers be fully qualified. Carefully select new drivers and adequately monitor procedures for existing drivers.
Carrier checklist:
Hiring new drivers:
Ensure recruiting efforts attract an adequate number of qualified applicants for effective selection
Establish a formal procedure for interviewing, testing, and screening applicants
Define standards of skill and knowledge to be met by successful applicants
Utilize appropriate methods to check out previous employment history and references
Check the applicant’s prior driving record
Check the applicant’s physical qualifications
Ensure all drivers meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) qualification requirements
Monitoring existing drivers:
Develop a formal program for monitoring drivers' qualifications
Perform a periodic review of the driving record
Perform a periodic review to ensure all drivers' medical certificates are up to date
Monitor drivers for drug and alcohol abuse
Develop a means for identifying deficiencies in drivers' skills and knowledge and a procedure for remedial training
Establish a procedure for issuing reprimands and terminating unqualified drivers
Develop a policy for dealing with driver infractions. Include progressive disciplinary actions, including remedial training.
Safe Driving Recognition
Recognition and incentives for superior driving performance should be an integral part of a formal safety program. Selected drivers should be set forth as examples for the rest of the fleet. Develop your own incentive program internally, or participate in national safe driver award programs with associations such as the National Safety Council or the American Trucking Associations.
Carrier checklist:
Develop a formal safe driver recognition and incentive program
Establish a means for evaluating driver performance
Goals for safe driving recognition:
Encourage safe driving performance
Heighten driver safety awareness
Foster driver professionalism
Monitor individual driver performance and skills
Monitor fleet performance and effectiveness of the fleet safety program
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Alcohol or substance abuse should not be tolerated. It has been well documented that drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are involved in about half of all fatal traffic accidents. Be aware of the seriousness of this problem and establish procedures to control it.
Carrier checklist:
Thoroughly check driving records and references of new hire applicants for evidence of drinking or substance abuse problems
Establish a written policy for dealing with abusers
Make all drivers aware of the ways in which drinking and substance abuse affect driving performance, and of the company’s formal policy regarding it
Ensure drivers' immediate supervisors and dispatchers know how to identify personnel under the influence. Because immediate supervisors are in the best position to observe unusual driver behavior, they should be aware of changes in work behavior, personal relations, emotional moods, and appearance of drivers.
Motivate immediate supervisors and dispatchers to notify management about problem drivers
Have a list of references and potential sources for help available to drivers
Driver checklist:
Don't drink and drive
Don't abuse drugs, legal or illegal
Find out if prescription or over-the-counter medications may adversely affect safe driving
Get help immediately if you have, or think you may have, an abuse problem
Illness and Fatigue
Ill or fatigued drivers can be a hazard to themselves and others. Despite knowing this, drivers sometimes push their bodies beyond reasonable limits. This is why comprehensive federal regulations regarding physical qualifications and hours of service have been established.
Carrier checklist:
Ensure supervisors are fully aware of all the FMCSR which relate to physical qualifications, medical examinations, and hours-of-service
Clearly spell out maximum on-duty and driving times to drivers
Cross-check driver logs with odometer readings, fuel receipts, and weight scale tickets
If you suspect driver violations, use electronic onboard recorders
Explicitly inform drivers how violations will be dealt with
Driver checklist:
Don't start a long trip unless you are well rested
When possible, schedule your trips so that you drive when you are normally awake and sleep when you are normally asleep. Don't throw off your body clock more than necessary.
Be careful with any kind of medication. Many medicines can make you sleepy.
If you get drowsy, don't drive
Continuous Education and Training
Factors to consider when continuing education and training for drivers:
Curriculum content
Adequacy of facilities
Compatibility of training vehicles with company fleet
Staff qualifications and experience
Certification
Referrals
Hours of actual driving instruction and practice
Driver training aids are available in abundant supply. Take care in locating, selecting and evaluating the most appropriate ones for the company. Determine what mix of audio-visual aids, posters, manuals, pamphlets, and other literature is most effective in improving the company's training program.
Carrier checklist:
Conduct a current survey of available driver training aids. Consider those available from national and state truck associations, safety organizations, company in-house productions and private sector providers and consultants.
Ensure the safety training program selected utilizes audio-visual aids
Update training as needed to meet new regulations and license requirements
Company driver manuals are a key training and communication link between the company and its drivers. It is indispensable for training new drivers and is a reference for existing drivers. The manual should be progressively developed and continually updated.
Carrier checklist:
Maintain a regularly reviewed and updated driver manual which:
Describes the fleet safety program
Sets forth company standards for safe driving
Includes company procedures for review and classification of accidents
Explains company disciplinary procedures
Planning Schedules, Loads and Routes
Tight schedules, unusual cargoes, and unfamiliar or hazardous routes cause unfavorable driving situations. Assist the driver with pre-trip planning to minimize the risks associated with such conditions.
Carrier checklist:
Minimize tight schedules and make allowances for adverse weather conditions
Review schedules and enforce hours-of-service statutory regulations. Develop a disciplinary policy to deal with violations.
Maintain records of driver duty status
Develop a means of forecasting available driver hours
Plan dispatching to minimize the need for excessive on-duty schedules
Ensure dispatchers know how to match cargoes with vehicles during dispatching
Instruct drivers how to deal with sealed cargoes
Determine how the company handles overloading
Determine how the company instructs drivers with regard to improperly loaded or secured cargoes
Plan routes and coach drivers to avoid high-hazard locations
Note: As a trucker, you have many regulatory obligations under the DOT that relate to the above general topics. Be sure to understand and implement those required controls.
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Source: Sentry Insurance
