EMPLOYEE

SAFETY NN EWSEWS

news&notes

©2015 BLR® - Business & Legal Resources

SEPTEMBER 2015

TAKE THE HIGH ROAD Aggressive drivers are unsafe drivers who take unnecessary chances, cause accidents and get others injured or killed. Avoid becoming the victim of an aggressive driver by following these suggestions from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

Don’t offend other drivers by driving slowly in the left lane, cutting them off, tailgating or making gestures that could be misunderstood or provoke a violent response.

Don’t engage other drivers. If you’re tempted to become angry, think about the kind of crash angry actions could cause. Give an angry driver plenty of room, avoid eye contact and get help if you think the other driver is trying to start a fight.

Adjust your attitude. Allowing more time for your trip will help you feel more relaxed behind the wheel. Realize that the reasons for another driver’s behavior probably have nothing to do with you.

HOW TO AVOID REAR-END ACCIDENTS

Follow these safety tips:

Signal your intentions in plenty of time for drivers behind you to react.

Be alert for anybody on your tail.

Slow down gradually.

Leave room in front of you when stopped — stay far enough back so that you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you touch the street.

Driver wellness Hit the road safely

Wellness is an important issue for drivers — whether you drive for a living or just for commuting and living — because a significant number of accidents are health-related, making wellness an important safety factor. Being healthy helps you function better on and off the job. Wellness keeps you on the job earning a paycheck.

Fatigue

Fatigue on the road increases the risk that drivers will make a mistake and have an accident. Fatigue affects reflexes, judgment, concentration, alertness and mood — all faculties needed to drive safely. You can manage fatigue by:

Getting enough sleep;

Eating well-balanced meals;

Keeping the vehicle cab environment comfortable;

Taking periodic rest breaks; and

Pulling over and taking a quick nap if feeling very tired.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is about performing the job in such a way as to prevent injuries to the back and other parts of the body. Sitting and driving for long hours, lifting heavy loads and other aspects of a driver’s job put a lot of stress and strain on a driver’s body. You can reduce the risk of ergonomically related injuries by:

Being careful getting in and out of the vehicle to avoid strains;

Maintaining a good driving posture;

Adjusting the seat for maximum comfort;

Shifting position periodically to relieve muscle tension;

Walking around and stretching on driving breaks; and

Lifting and carrying heavy objects properly.

Violence

Drivers may be vulnerable to crime and violence on the road, and that could lead to injuries. To prevent problems:

Lock your vehicle when you’re in it and when you leave it.

Be careful in parking lots, rest stops and on the street.

Carry a cell phone and report suspicious activity or individuals.

Avoid disputes with other drivers that could lead to fights.

Report any crime or violence to police right away.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY NNEWSEWS

news&notes

©2015 BLR® - Business & Legal Resources

SEPTEMBER 2015

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ Whether you drive company vehicles or commute in your own car, learn how to safely share the road with 18-wheelers. You need to take extra precautions over and above regular safe driving techniques.

Use these recommended four best practices to share the road with big trucks:

1. Take no chances, even when it’s inconvenient. When a truck is about to move into your lane, you might be tempted to speed up and cut the vehicle off so you won’t get stuck behind it. Don’t do it.

2. Pass with care. Give a truck even more space than you would give other vehicles. Make sure the front of the rig is visible in your rear-view mirror before returning to the truck’s lane.

3. Watch out for turns. Assume that the truck driver does not see you. Drivers may need to swing wide to the left in order to make a right turn. So trying to squeeze directly behind or beside them could cause a collision. Wait to see where a truck intends to turn before making a move.

4. Remember how huge they are. Because of their weight, big trucks take longer, sometimes twice as long, to stop compared to other vehicles. Drivers can run into trouble if they forget that trucks cannot stop on a dime.

Special delivery Delivery Driver — 9th most dangerous occupation When you think about some of the most dangerous jobs, delivery driver may not come to mind. But the latest numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor in April 2015, ranks the category of “drivers-sales workers,” which includes delivery drivers, ninth on the top 10 list of dangerous occupations — placing them four positions higher on the list than police officers — who ranked 14th.

Use the following guidelines to keep you safe while making deliveries:

MAKE SURE DELIVERY VEHICLES ARE IN PROPER OPERATING CONDITION BEFORE MAKING DELIVERIES

DON’T FLASH MONEY DURING TRANSACTIONS. DON’T CARRY MORE MONEY THAN NEEDED.

Be alert of suspicious

persons loitering around the delivery address.

Be alert to vehicles that may follow you. Note vehicle and driver description. If followed, do not exit your vehicle — call police.

Never deliver to a house that looks vacant. If you are in doubt, stay in your vehicle, call the customer to meet you

outside or turn on lights.

Be aware

of your surroundings. Avoid areas

that are not

well lit.

If you feel threatened and your car has a remote alarm, activate the alarm to draw attention to yourself. If any emergency occurs,

remain at the scene only if it is safe to do so.

Did you know… The rate of deaths of motor

vehicle occupants in Alabama is 13.7 (per 100,000 population), while the national rate is 7.0

according to the CDC.