Vehicle accidents are near the top of the list of most costly losses to a business. The claims costs associated with repairs, injuries and potential loss of human life are steep. An organization's insurance rates and operations are affected for years. An in-depth fleet safety checklist offers the greatest defense for mitigating potential losses and minimizing risks associated with vehicle operations.
Training
Train all of your drivers regularly to ensure their knowledge of driver safety, rules of the road, safe operation and maintenance of their vehicles. Driving staff must be professional, knowledgeable and have a comprehensive understanding of defensive driving techniques.
Driving requires your employees to effectively combine three different primary skills.
Your drivers must be acutely aware of the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle. They must demonstrate knowledge of the size and weight of the vehicle and load; braking times and distances; and overall vehicle handling.
Your drivers must be on constant alert to the entire driving scene. Changing weather, road conditions, signage, pedestrian traffic and other vehicles on the roadway are just some of the situations that are altered with every inch of movement. At higher speeds, the level of attention and ability to react quickly are paramount.
Your drivers must be able to read and react decisively to any changes that occur in the driving environment.
Equipment Inspection Checklist
A minimum of each day and a maximum of each significant stop and re-start, your drivers should be required to complete the following list of vehicle inspections. They should have a checklist that requires a signature for each safety check they perform.
Check all vehicle lighting to ensure it is functioning properly and free of dirt and debris. Replace broken lenses and bulbs.
Check the windows, windshield and wipers for cleanliness and functionality. Repair or replace broken glass and worn wiper blades.
Check fluids, gas level and oil level. Have maintenance change the oil and top-off all necessary fluids in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Drivers should check the condition of tires for proper inflation and damage that could compromise drivers and public safety.
Check the braking system for proper function. Brake pedals should not require a lot of force for operation. Never operate a vehicle with defective brakes.
Check to make sure emergency road kits are fully stocked and not out-of-date. This check should include the appropriate inspection and charging of fire extinguishers.
Clean the mirrors regularly and make sure they are adjusted to suit the driver's size and position within the vehicle.
Check to make sure that all loads are distributed properly throughout the vehicle. Loads need to be properly secured to prevent load shifts that can compromise vehicle stability.
Driver Checklist
Allow only authorized personnel to operate company vehicles. Perform regular driving records checks for unsafe driving violations.
Your company should have a drug-testing program to ensure that drivers do not have substance abuse problems that could compromise the safety of the company and general public.
Consider doing random "ride-alongs" to assess driver comprehension of safety requirements, including 100 percent seat-belt use.
Reporting Requirements
Regularly communicate to employees at all levels of the company the requirements for prompt written reporting of any unsafe equipment conditions, vehicle accidents or other situations that may affect the safety of the company, personnel or public.
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