Driving habits have a major impact on employee health and your bottom line. A five-year study from PubMed found that traffic accidents were the leading cause of death among landscape employees. From an insurance standpoint, the average driving accident costs an employer over $90,000 when someone is injured. When accidents happen, insurance premiums can go up by 10 to 50%. A driver training program can reduce accidents and contribute to a better team culture.
The right program starts with keeping up to date on local regulations and being familiar with any hazards on the roads in your area. These hazards could be high traffic areas, dangerous intersections, or road construction. In your daily meetings, talk about any new dangers that may impact your team on and off the job site.
As for the vehicles, each of them should be well-maintained and have written maintenance records. All vehicles new to your fleet should be thoroughly inspected to make sure they’re safe to operate.
Before you hire new employees, it’s important to check their driving records for red flags and have a criteria to determine if someone is too risky to hire as a driver.
Areas of Focus
Annual training is a key part of defensive driving. For new hires, this process will focus on the basics of using each truck and how to operate vehicles with a trailer. While driving is the focus, the employees should also learn about weight distribution in trailers, using the hitch, and securing objects in the trailer. It’s also the time to discuss pre- and post-trip inspections and what to look for before operating each vehicle.
Have the new hires ride along with experienced staff to become familiar with each vehicle, then let them practice driving and handling different scenarios they might encounter on the road, the shop, and the job site. In many cases, accidents happen at the start and end of each day when employees are moving around the shop area. Stress the importance of staying alert and when vehicles are backing up, there should always be a spotter.
Refresher training should be provided to experienced staff each year, regardless of how long they’ve been with the company.
Your employee handbook should include details on traffic safety, along with a clear process for handling accidents and vehicle issues. Some companies have designated team members who can address mechanical problems with the vehicles. Make sure the employees know who to contact if they notice a problem. If there’s an issue with dangerous driving, have a written policy that clearly states who should be involved in the discipline process.
Another topic to cover is cell phone use and other distractions. In a nationwide study, the National Safety Council found that over 1.6 million traffic accidents occur each year from using a phone while driving. Companies should have a set of rules in place to minimize distractions for the driver. As each day begins, keep track of the drivers for each vehicle and funnel the communication through a passenger if possible.
You can also promote safe driving with incentive programs that reward employees. These awards can be for individuals or the whole team. Whether it’s a gift card or recognition in front of the team, these programs help employees feel seen and valued. The right approach for this program will depend on your company and what motivates your employees.
Why reinvent the wheel? Our Safe Company Program will help build a stronger safety culture, which will help reduce injuries and hazards, demonstrate your commitment to a safe workplace and lower your costs. This program is free to NALP members, so join today!
