Considerations For Fleet Safety
When you run a transportation company, one of the most important things is going to be the safety of your fleet. Fleet safety programs will outline procedures and policies that are not only preventative but, in the event of an emergency, will act fast.
So what makes for good fleet safety?
Hiring
The people behind the wheel of the trucks and those who are managing the team all need to have the right experience. But it is not only that. At the time of hiring, nothing should be rushed, but rather you need to take the time to select the right people for the job. The saying goes: hire slow and fire fast.
During the hiring process, make sure that one of the questions you ask their previous employer is: did they follow all safety protocols, and did they support a safe and aware culture?
Training
Safety isn’t something that happens by accident. Instead, it is a set of measures learned by your staff. Everyone who works in the company should take part in regular training. You can choose to have regular monthly meetings about issues and offer training, or you might want to have more comprehensive quarterly training. However, a combination of both is often the best bet.
Whenever there are updates to the safety policy, this warrants a further conversation with your team, and you should see if there are any recognized qualifications that are suitable too.
Written Procedures
Not everyone can absorb information the same way at the same rate. So as well as having the training in person, it is a good idea to have a written version of all of the policies and a guide to what to do in the event of an accident or emergency. This should be distributed to everyone across the organization.
Accident Management
Although you never want to be in this position, accidents do happen. How you handle them will show how much the training and infrastructure have made an impact.
Safety doesn’t stop at training for the people; it is things like having the best GPS (GPS simulator tested), multiple systems to get people to safety, and emergency services on the way. A clear understanding of the driver’s responsibilities. First aid kits and efficient usage.
Post-accident, a risk assessment, and review should be done too.
Maintenance
An old, poorly maintained vehicle is going to have issues – and the severity of those is unseen until it happens. Regular maintenance and testing are one of the best investments that you can make when it comes to keeping your drivers safe.
Any faults can be spotted and repaired, and typically regular maintenance will reduce the cost of more expensive repairs down the road.
Prevention is the best way to go when it comes to looking after the vehicles in your fleet, and one of the most important things you can do in terms of safety.
Safety is just one aspect of great fleet management; here are some other considerations for long-term success: A Complete Guide To Fleet Fuel Economy And Sustainability – Advisory Excellence.