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ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT
Portable Sanitation Association International News
BIWEEKLY EDITION MARCH 4, 2020
Driver Inspection Reports…continued from page 15
The company had first supplied equipment that didn't meet requirements, and then they tried to coerce the driver
into just accepting the situation. When the driver refused, he was fired for gross insubordination. In the end, the
employer was forced to pay more than $15,000 in compensatory damages, $30,000 in punitive damages, and
$2,700 in back pay and interest. (Read the full news release.) While we don't know the whole story, it is important to
realize that:
• This most likely would not have happened if the company had a more entrenched safety culture, and if its front-
line leaders understood that coercing a driver to operate a vehicle despite a reported safety violation can be
illegal.
• At a minimum, the company should have read the law that applies to the equipment about which the driver was
complaining before rushing to assume the driver was being insubordinate.
• The whole incident cost the company far more time, money, driver loyalty—we know the other drivers were
watching—and reputational damage than just doing the right thing.
Want to learn more about fleet safety programs and inspections requirements? Check out
the PSAI's pre-convention workshop, "A Comprehensive Approach to Managing a Fleet
Safety Program" presented by Ken Urquhart (pictured at left) from the Minnesota Safety
Council. Before becoming a trainer, Ken spent 33 years with the Minnesota State Patrol.
The session will be offered in Baltimore on Wednesday morning, March 25, in two
segments. Hope to see you there! v
