Basics of Fleet Safety
A fleet of vehicles for a company can be a hidden cause of shrink, can drive accidents, and/or can cost extra in insurance.
Logistics and trucking companies often understand this, often knowing to focus on fleet safety, but many small businesses with only a few vehicles or large companies that don’t view their fleet as an integral part of their business, will miss the importance of a Fleet Safety Program.
Employers can take steps to protect their employees and their fleet.
Policies
- Assign a key member of the management team responsibility and authority to set and enforce a comprehensive driver safety policy.
- Enforce mandatory seat belt use.
- Do not require workers to drive irregular hours or far beyond their normal working hours.
- Do not require workers to conduct business on a cell phone while driving.
- Develop work schedules that allow employees to obey speed limits and to follow applicable hours-of-service regulations.
Check out this Sample Fleet Safety Policy from Secura Insurance
Fleet Management
- Adopt a structured vehicle maintenance program.
- Provide company vehicles that offer the highest possible levels of occupant protection.
Safety Programs
- Teach workers strategies for recognizing and managing driver fatigue and in-vehicle distractions.
- Provide training to workers operating specialized motor vehicles or equipment.
- Emphasize to workers the need to follow safe driving practices on and off the job.
Check out: Establishing a Fleet Safety Program
Driver Performance
- Ensure that workers assigned to drive on the job have a valid driver’s license and one that is appropriate for the type of vehicle to be driven.
- Check driving records of prospective employees, and perform periodic rechecks after hiring.
- Maintain complete and accurate records of workers’ driving performance.
Source: NIOSH 2004-136:Work-related Roadway Crashes Prevention Strategies for Employers
An unmanaged fleet can cost your company profits, sometimes undetectable on the surface.
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