Kevin Ian Schmidt

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.