Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
16
FleetSafetyProgram
IntroductIon
Fleet.safety.is.often.viewed.as.operator.safety,.which.is.deinitely.a.key.component.
of.a.company's.attempt.to.protect.its.large.dollar.investment.in.vehicles.and.mobile.
equipment..It.goes.without.saying.that.many.of.the.accidents.that.occur.are.a.direct.
result.of.driver.error..But.driver.error.is.not.the.fault.of.the.individual..It.is.the.fault.of.
management's.failure.to.institute.a.leet.safety.program.that.provides.organization,.
direction,.and.accountability.for.the.leet.of.vehicles.that.the.company.owns.
Commitment.to.a.leet.safety.program.communicates.the.value.that.the.company.
places.on.their.property.and.employees..The.care.given.to.both.vehicles/equipment.
and.employees.conveys.the.company's.true.view.of.the.value.of.accident.prevention.
A.leet.safety.program.should.consist.of.the.following:
•. A.written.leet.safety.program
•. A.vehicle/equipment.maintenance.procedure
•. Recordkeeping.process
•. Operator.selection.process
•. Operator.training.requirements
•. Operator.performance.requirements
WrItten Fleet sAFety ProgrAm
The.company.should.clearly.state.its.policy.regarding.leet.safety.and.delineate.what.
is.expected.to.transpire.as.a.result.of.its.program..The.overall.intent.of.this.program.
must.be.stated.clearly..The.program.should.incorporate.the.many.facets.of.any.good.
accident.prevention.effort..The.leet.safety.program.should.provide.the.framework.for.
safety.management.of.the.company's.vehicles/equipment.and.employees..The.com-
pany.needs.to.communicate.program.goals.to.drivers.and.supervisory.personnel.
There.must.be.a.designated.person.with.responsibility.for.safety.and.compliance.
with.regulations..This.designated.person.must.assume.responsibility.to.comply.with.
existing. regulations. and. implement. and. enforce. the. company. rules. and. policies..
This.person.must.oversee.the.qualifying.of.operators/drivers.and.the.care.and.safety.
maintenance.of.the.company's.leet.
It.is.management's.responsibility.to.recruit.and.screen.new.drivers,.monitor.driver.
qualiications.and.safety.infractions,.and.provide.training.to.upgrade.drivers'.skills.
and.knowledge.
Management.should.provide.a.formal.mechanism.for.investigating.and.reviewing.
accidents. and. monitoring. maintenance. and. equipment. safety.. Management. should.
also. implement. safe. driving. incentives. and. offer. recognition. to. drivers. who. meet.
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