WEEKLY EDITION DECEMBER 18, 2019
Fleet Safety Programs for Portable Sanitation Operations
By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director…continued from page 1
With this kind of exposure resulting from
work vehicle accidents, it only makes sense to
do everything you can to minimize your
company's driving risks and claims. Still, only
42.6% of companies with commercial vehicles
mandate driver safety programs for the
employees who drive their vehicles.
4
It is not
clear how many companies with fleets on the
road have or adhere to comprehensive fleet
safety programs.
No fleet safety data exists exclusively for portable sanitation companies. Anecdotally, there seems to be
considerable variation in what companies in our industry require of their employees. Larger firms are more
likely than smaller operations to have formal fleet safety programs. In between, companies may have some
elements of a program, while others need far more attention. As with everything else, there is always a tug
between winning business externally and tending to internal processes.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
There are no guarantees that an accident
will not happen. In fact, according to the US
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), motor
vehicle crashes are the first or second
leading cause of work-related fatalities for
every industry group.
5
Because the road is
one of the most dangerous places for your
employees, establishing a formal and
ongoing program of screening, testing,
inspection, and training is crucial.
Portable sanitation companies should invest
the time and resources into developing a formal fleet safety program.
• A fleet safety program establishes the policies and procedures needed to help ensure a safe work
environment for employees.
• Safety programs can help protect against liability from vehicle accidents.
• A safety program will give you, the employer, more options as you seek insurance coverage for your
business.
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4
Motus 2018 Driver Safety Risk Report, Motus.com
5
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/motorvehicle/resources/crashdata/faces.html