Back to Basics Fleet Safety Strategies

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Back to Basics Fleet Safety Strategies

• Carl Heinlein, CSP, ARM, CRIS
• American Contractors Insurance Group, Inc.

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So, What Business Are You In?

• Well, Im a contractor Im in the construction
  business!
• But, you are also in another business.
• The Trucking Business.

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Construction Vehicles

• Combined, outnumber all other commercial
  vehicles.
• So, how are we doing?
• Unfortunately, pretty bad as an industry.

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Hidden Hazards

• Contractors Fleet Exposures
• Most contractors dont consider themselves to be
  in the trucking business
• However, most contractors own and operate fairly
  large equipment fleets.
• These hidden, or unrecognized, exposures can pose
  greater risks than construction operations.
• The average Medical Only claim for ACIG is 600.

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Hidden Hazards

• Contractors Fleet Exposure (cont.)
• The average Auto Liability/Auto PD claim for ACIG
  within the last 5 years is 21,210.
• Stepped-up DOT enforcement can lead to increased
  fines. The minimum fine value recently proposed
  to another ACIG member was 25,000.
• Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration
  (FMCSA). Website www.safersys.org.
• Contractors must recognize their fleet exposure
  and implement the proper controls to minimize
  potential liability.

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How to Manage a Killer

• Traffic accidents 1 cause of workplace death.
• 3,500 4,000 workers die each year.
• 200,000 are disabled.
• And, they also kill companies.

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Current Numbers
  Valued as of 8/20/08
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Auto Liability Claims

• Insured vehicle rear-ended other vehicle.
• Insured vehicle sideswiped other vehicle.
• Intersection collision (right-angle collision).
• Other vehicle rear-ended insured vehicle.

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What Are the Issues?

• Bad driving habits are illegal, but socially
  acceptable.
• Speeding
• Illegal lane changes
• Running red lights
• Not wearing safety belts
• Are these victimless crimes?
• How many of you would admit to other illegal
  acts?
• Legal consequences are not usually severe.

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What Are the Issues?

• Employee misconduct and potential for serious
  injury or damage to vehicles.
• Seat belt usage
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Driving while under the influence
• Vehicle use by non-employees
• Vehicle inspections and maintenance

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What Are the Issues?

• Commuting times and distances.
• Average time in vehicle
• Average distance in vehicle
• Fatigue
• Road rage
• Road construction

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What Are the Issues?

• Company Vehicle vs. Personal Vehicle.
• On the job exposure
• Off the job exposure

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Does Age Matter?
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Fleet Safety Program Elements

• Management support
• Written fleet safety procedure
• Fleet safety administrator
• Driver selection process
• Training and education
• Accident/incident reporting

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Fleet Safety Program Elements (cont.)

• Vehicle maintenance program
• Equipment control
• Vehicle use policy statement
• Driver acknowledgement forms
• Program review/audits
• Driver monitoring
• Enforcement

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Management Support

• Financial
• Visible
• Participation
• Ongoing

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Written Fleet Safety Procedure

• Serves as the corporate directive.
• Establishes the importance of a safe fleet
  operation.
• Outlines the areas of responsibility for the
  program.

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Driver Selection

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks
• At time of hire
• Annually
• Monthly (SAMBA)
• Ongoing
• Background checks
• Testing

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Fleet Safety Administrator

• Responsible for initial set up and continued
  operation of the program.
• Should have basic fleet safety training.
• Participates in accident reviews and annual
  audits.

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Driver Selection Process

• Determining driver status and violation history
• Background checks
• Road tests
• Prior experience review
• License endorsements
• Minimum driving age requirements

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Driver Training and Education

• Initially upon hiring
• Formal systems such as Smith System
• Ride-a-longs with experienced drivers
• Simulators
• Ongoing
• Route familiarization
• Route planning
• Bi-annual refresher classes
• After an at-fault accident

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Vehicle Use Policy Statement
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Driver Acknowledgement Forms
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Accident/Incident Reporting

• Established Review Committee
• Fleet policy outlines criteria for reporting
  accidents
• Corrective action policy

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Vehicle Maintenance Program

• Maintenance and inspections
• Housekeeping
• Documentation
• Qualified mechanics (ASE)

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Equipment Control

• Who has our vehicle?
• No drive list
• Company drivers license

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Load/Cargo Securement

• CFR 49 Subpart I Protection Against Shifting
  or Fall Cargo (Load Securement)
• This regulation applies to trucks, truck
  tractors, trailers, and pole trailers.
• Cargo must be prevented from leaking, spilling,
  blowing or falling from the truck and trailer
  during transit.
• Cargo must be contained and secured to prevent
  shifting that would affect the vehicles
  stability or maneuverability.

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Example of a load that is not properly
distributed.
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Program Review/Audits

• Annual review by fleet safety administrator.
• Annual/Bi-annual review by third party.
• Review the Federal Motor Carriers Safety
  Administration (FMCSA). Website
  www.safersys.org
• ANSI Z15.2006

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Is Technology Working for Us or Against Us?

• Driver distractions
• Cell phones
• Navigation systems
• DVD players
• Driver improvements
• GPS systems
• Black boxes
• Improved safety features

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Can Too Much Technology Be a Problem?
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So What Do We Do Next to Keep Improving
 
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Fleet Safety Best Practices Minimum Guidelines

• Written Fleet Safety Program
• Management Support of Program
• Fleet Safety Administrator
• DOT (CDL) and Non-DOT Company Driver
• Driver Selection
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Safety Training and Education
• Accident/Incident Reporting
• Company Vehicle Use
• Cell Phones

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ACIG Fleet Safety Task Force Goals and Objectives

• World-Class fleet safety program
• Reduction in auto liability losses
• Develop better fleet safety resources
• Benchmark with the trucking industry
• Develop best practices
• Education/Training
• Evaluation criteria
• Continue overall improvement
• Communication

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Resources

• SAMBA Fleet Watch [phone]
• SafetyFirst [phone]
• Smith System [phone]
• National Safety Council www.nsc.org
• C.A.R.E., Inc. Bill Dunham [phone]
• Ludders Consulting [phone] Service, LLC
• Fleet Hawk (866) 644-HAWK
• FMCSA www.safersys.org
• ANSI Z15.2006 Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle
  Operations

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OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE
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Thank You