A WORK-RELATED vehicle accident will cost an employer an average of at least $16,500, according to OSHA.
If injuries are involved, that figure can quadruple. If there’s a fatality, you could be looking at costs exceeding half a million dollars.
Not to mention the suffering and broken lives that kind of event leaves in its wake.
To ensure your employees are safe at all times, and are also protecting the public, you need to have in place:
• A proper maintenance program for company vehicles, and
• A safe driving program.
Your drivers play a key role in the success of both programs and you’ll need to make sure they are aware of your safe driving policies and that you hold regular safety meetings and refreshers.
Driver engagement
Since your workers are the ones driving your fleet vehicles, they also serve as the eyes and ears to any problems you might not be aware of.
Just like rental car companies do, you can have a check-off sheet that workers use when taking out and returning a vehicle.
They can report any damage that occurs and if the vehicle is making a strange sound or running rough.
Employees should also be up front about any accidents or near misses that occur while using a company vehicle.
Clearly state your expectations and qualifications for using a company vehicle.
Also, make sure your drivers know the repercussions for misuse. After all, employees represent your company when they travel on business.
ESSENTIAL DRIVER TRAINING
- Follow all applicable traffic laws
- Don’t use a phone use while driving.
- Know what to do when they involved in an accident.
- Know how to contact roadside assistance if necessary.
- Make sure the vehicle is turned off, locked and keys removed when leaving it unattended.
- Do a vehicle safety check at the start of each shift.
Fleet safety meetings
First and foremost, cover your procedures for inspecting a vehicle and how to report any trouble.
If you hold the meeting in the fleet parking area, show your drivers exactly how you want them to conduct the inspection that happens both when taking out a vehicle and returning it.
Make them aware that you will be conducting random inspections of your own to check they don’t ignore the examination of a vehicle before and after use.
Regularly review your safe driving policies. Update when needed.
You can incorporate customized videos and other presentations to keep your staff engaged.
Take time to cover new and existing traffic laws.
Also, encourage your drivers to report any issues they experienced with the vehicle. If they notice something off or wear, they should report it at the end of their shift so your supersvisors can examine the issue and make any necessary repairs.
So, make sure that you instill in them the importance of reporting any issues with the vehicle or any incidents they may have been involved in.
