OSHA 5 JNL

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Describe fleet-safety-related responsibilities. 3.1 Compare and contrast driver-monitoring systems for a company’s fleet. 3.2 Describe how driver-monitoring systems help with delivery tracking. 3.3 Discuss how driver-monitoring systems can improve driver performance and eliminate

distractions.

Required Unit Resources Chapter 9: Best Practices, pp. 187–207 In order to access the following resource, click the link below. Newnam, S., Griffin, M. A., & Mason, C. (2008). Safety in work vehicles: A multilevel study linking safety

values and individual predictors to work-related driving crashes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(3), 632–644. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=pdh&AN=2008-05281-010&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Unit Lesson Introduction The term best practices is often used by companies that wish to stay competitive. Best practices come from a variety of sources, such as federal safety regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in addition to safety practices introduced and tested by highly successful companies. Safety managers must decide on and tailor the best practices for their fleet drivers to ensure maximum safety while on the job. This is done by first determining what their company’s fleet safety goals are and then working collaboratively with others in the organization to create programs and a positive and proactive fleet safety culture that is embraced by everyone in the organization without exception. Core Elements of Fleet Safety Management There are three main elements used by management to build their fleet operations:

1. the driver, 2. the fleet vehicles, and 3. the operations associated with using these vehicles each day.

Each of these elements is important in building a successful and safe fleet while ensuring operational excellence. Management should be cognizant of the importance of hiring drivers based on their abilities as opposed to filling driver vacancies with willing drivers just to be fully staffed. In other words, the quality of performers is more important than quantity. By hiring qualified drivers with the correct driving history, a company can help reduce potential safety and liability risks and the amount of training and retraining needed as the result of having too many inexperienced drivers working in its fleet.

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

Fleet Management Practices and Driver Monitoring

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

In addition to hiring the most qualified drivers, management can review and assess the need for specific vehicles within their fleets. The cheapest vehicles are not always the best when building or sustaining a fleet. Specialty vehicles (e.g., lowboy trucks and car haulers) are necessary depending on what the company needs to transport. There are always specific objectives and cost-benefit considerations (i.e., purchase versus leased, new versus used) that should be reviewed and determined by management within any company to ensure their fleets are built to serve the company in the best ways possible. The last core element concerns operations. Maintaining consistency in use of the fleet vehicles through safety processes and driving standards can establish safe, efficient operations. Fleet safety procedures should be built on the most current and up-to-date safety regulations. These should then be integrated into the company’s operations to promote an efficient safety program. As stated above, screening drivers and hiring the most qualified drivers can better assist the company with obtaining its objectives. Training employees to succeed in their jobs is also very important. Finally, incorporating best practices and procedures to try to not only proactively mitigate risks but to improve existing policies is a proven way to establish continuous compliance with federal regulations. Steps for Promoting Safety Initiatives According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as cited in Haight, 2015), approximately 21% of worker fatalities occur as a result of motor vehicle incidents. This percentage demonstrates the ongoing need for fleet safety managers to study and adopt well-chosen best practices. Fleet safety managers can create and communicate their own innovative best practices, tailored to meet their organization’s needs and based on rigorous study of the root causes of fleet incidents. Thorough reviews of all aspects within fleet safety management can be the difference between an educated response and just a temporary solution to a problem. Technology has also significantly changed vehicle operations over the last 2 decades, which requires management to review all accidents, close calls, and human factors to better understand and determine the root cause(s). This enables management to prescribe the most effective corrective course of action. Fleet safety managers and supervisors should meet periodically to discuss any changes in federal safety regulations. In order to create an effective and efficient safety culture, companies should set safety goals that meet regulations and align with company objectives. Constant communications with drivers and company leaders can promote interaction, which can then promote improvements within a safety culture. It is important to get driver buy-in so that drivers are an indispensable part of the safety process and feel ownership in that process. Innovative Changes in Safety Operations Due to a recorded annual increase in on-the-job accidents involving fleet drivers, more companies are initiating the use of onboard cameras that operate when the vehicle is in motion. After investigating options, many companies are discovering a lower cost method of monitoring vehicle usage is through installing cameras within each vehicle. Presently, there are various types of onboard cameras that are offered to companies for purchase, such as SmartDrive, Lytx, and Safety Track. These cameras offer the chance for companies to use the results and improve safety training and enforcement of driving standards. The SmartDrive system not only uses two cameras, but it also includes onboard recorders, a Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerators, and wireless capability for sending incident data (Druce, 2016). These systems also increase a company’s visibility when reviewing the videos so that fleet safety managers can determine a more accurate view of the driver’s performance and any possible distractions or road

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

hazards that may have caused an accident. Videos and recordings can also demonstrate poor driving performance from drivers who have never had a recorded accident, and, therefore, their behavior has never been seen, which can provide the organization with useful upstream information in real time. Another main use of onboard cameras for fleet vehicles is to assist a company in possibly defending itself in court, if necessary, through strategically placed cameras that record movements not only inside the vehicle but also outside, capturing all traffic movements around the vehicle. This type of use can drastically influence costs as well as the efficiency of operations in an organization. The video Top 5 Dash Cams for Truck Drivers & Fleets shows features of dash cameras. A transcript and closed captioning are available once you access the video. The direct and indirect costs that occur when an accident happens can drastically affect an organization. Costs can also be impacted by who is at fault in the accident; however, Cruice, List, and Pollard (as cited in Haight, 2015) argue that the best way to reduce the cost of an accident is to prevent it all together. Sometimes, an accident is unavoidable by the company driver because the other driver involved in the accident is at fault. These cameras can capture the accident when it occurs, thereby recording how the accident happened and possibly identifying who was at fault. Expected Outcomes When efficient safety programs are set in place and performance standards are set for fleet management, an efficient safety culture is established. Comprehensive fleet safety management includes compliance with regulations and company policy; accident investigations; proper training; ongoing use of performance metrics; and constant, positive communications. Adherence to these proven best practices can also improve the company’s service to customers because customer satisfaction depends in part on operating an efficient fleet.

References Druce, C. (2016, June 27). Caught on film. Motor Transport, 20–23. Retrieved from

https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/logi n.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=116780200&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Haight, J. M. (Ed.). (2015). Fleet safety: For safety professionals and fleet managers. Park Ridge, IL:

American Society of Safety Professionals.

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Create the “Ten Commandments of Fleet Safety” for a company that would be owned and operated by you if you were inclined to start one.

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Describe fleet-safety-related responsibilities. 3.1 Compare and contrast driver-monitoring systems for a company’s fleet. 3.2 Describe how driver-monitoring systems help with delivery tracking. 3.3 Discuss how driver-monitoring systems can improve driver performance and eliminate

distractions.

Required Unit Resources Chapter 9: Best Practices, pp. 187–207 In order to access the following resource, click the link below. Newnam, S., Griffin, M. A., & Mason, C. (2008). Safety in work vehicles: A multilevel study linking safety

values and individual predictors to work-related driving crashes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(3), 632–644. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=pdh&AN=2008-05281-010&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Unit Lesson Introduction The term best practices is often used by companies that wish to stay competitive. Best practices come from a variety of sources, such as federal safety regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in addition to safety practices introduced and tested by highly successful companies. Safety managers must decide on and tailor the best practices for their fleet drivers to ensure maximum safety while on the job. This is done by first determining what their company’s fleet safety goals are and then working collaboratively with others in the organization to create programs and a positive and proactive fleet safety culture that is embraced by everyone in the organization without exception. Core Elements of Fleet Safety Management There are three main elements used by management to build their fleet operations:

1. the driver, 2. the fleet vehicles, and 3. the operations associated with using these vehicles each day.

Each of these elements is important in building a successful and safe fleet while ensuring operational excellence. Management should be cognizant of the importance of hiring drivers based on their abilities as opposed to filling driver vacancies with willing drivers just to be fully staffed. In other words, the quality of performers is more important than quantity. By hiring qualified drivers with the correct driving history, a company can help reduce potential safety and liability risks and the amount of training and retraining needed as the result of having too many inexperienced drivers working in its fleet.

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

Fleet Management Practices and Driver Monitoring

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

In addition to hiring the most qualified drivers, management can review and assess the need for specific vehicles within their fleets. The cheapest vehicles are not always the best when building or sustaining a fleet. Specialty vehicles (e.g., lowboy trucks and car haulers) are necessary depending on what the company needs to transport. There are always specific objectives and cost-benefit considerations (i.e., purchase versus leased, new versus used) that should be reviewed and determined by management within any company to ensure their fleets are built to serve the company in the best ways possible. The last core element concerns operations. Maintaining consistency in use of the fleet vehicles through safety processes and driving standards can establish safe, efficient operations. Fleet safety procedures should be built on the most current and up-to-date safety regulations. These should then be integrated into the company’s operations to promote an efficient safety program. As stated above, screening drivers and hiring the most qualified drivers can better assist the company with obtaining its objectives. Training employees to succeed in their jobs is also very important. Finally, incorporating best practices and procedures to try to not only proactively mitigate risks but to improve existing policies is a proven way to establish continuous compliance with federal regulations. Steps for Promoting Safety Initiatives According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as cited in Haight, 2015), approximately 21% of worker fatalities occur as a result of motor vehicle incidents. This percentage demonstrates the ongoing need for fleet safety managers to study and adopt well-chosen best practices. Fleet safety managers can create and communicate their own innovative best practices, tailored to meet their organization’s needs and based on rigorous study of the root causes of fleet incidents. Thorough reviews of all aspects within fleet safety management can be the difference between an educated response and just a temporary solution to a problem. Technology has also significantly changed vehicle operations over the last 2 decades, which requires management to review all accidents, close calls, and human factors to better understand and determine the root cause(s). This enables management to prescribe the most effective corrective course of action. Fleet safety managers and supervisors should meet periodically to discuss any changes in federal safety regulations. In order to create an effective and efficient safety culture, companies should set safety goals that meet regulations and align with company objectives. Constant communications with drivers and company leaders can promote interaction, which can then promote improvements within a safety culture. It is important to get driver buy-in so that drivers are an indispensable part of the safety process and feel ownership in that process. Innovative Changes in Safety Operations Due to a recorded annual increase in on-the-job accidents involving fleet drivers, more companies are initiating the use of onboard cameras that operate when the vehicle is in motion. After investigating options, many companies are discovering a lower cost method of monitoring vehicle usage is through installing cameras within each vehicle. Presently, there are various types of onboard cameras that are offered to companies for purchase, such as SmartDrive, Lytx, and Safety Track. These cameras offer the chance for companies to use the results and improve safety training and enforcement of driving standards. The SmartDrive system not only uses two cameras, but it also includes onboard recorders, a Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerators, and wireless capability for sending incident data (Druce, 2016). These systems also increase a company’s visibility when reviewing the videos so that fleet safety managers can determine a more accurate view of the driver’s performance and any possible distractions or road

OSH 2305, Fleet and Driver Safety 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

hazards that may have caused an accident. Videos and recordings can also demonstrate poor driving performance from drivers who have never had a recorded accident, and, therefore, their behavior has never been seen, which can provide the organization with useful upstream information in real time. Another main use of onboard cameras for fleet vehicles is to assist a company in possibly defending itself in court, if necessary, through strategically placed cameras that record movements not only inside the vehicle but also outside, capturing all traffic movements around the vehicle. This type of use can drastically influence costs as well as the efficiency of operations in an organization. The video Top 5 Dash Cams for Truck Drivers & Fleets shows features of dash cameras. A transcript and closed captioning are available once you access the video. The direct and indirect costs that occur when an accident happens can drastically affect an organization. Costs can also be impacted by who is at fault in the accident; however, Cruice, List, and Pollard (as cited in Haight, 2015) argue that the best way to reduce the cost of an accident is to prevent it all together. Sometimes, an accident is unavoidable by the company driver because the other driver involved in the accident is at fault. These cameras can capture the accident when it occurs, thereby recording how the accident happened and possibly identifying who was at fault. Expected Outcomes When efficient safety programs are set in place and performance standards are set for fleet management, an efficient safety culture is established. Comprehensive fleet safety management includes compliance with regulations and company policy; accident investigations; proper training; ongoing use of performance metrics; and constant, positive communications. Adherence to these proven best practices can also improve the company’s service to customers because customer satisfaction depends in part on operating an efficient fleet.

References Druce, C. (2016, June 27). Caught on film. Motor Transport, 20–23. Retrieved from

https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/logi n.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=116780200&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Haight, J. M. (Ed.). (2015). Fleet safety: For safety professionals and fleet managers. Park Ridge, IL:

American Society of Safety Professionals.

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Create the “Ten Commandments of Fleet Safety” for a company that would be owned and operated by you if you were inclined to start one.