FALL 2021 ZERO PREVENTABLE INCIDENTS

36
ZERO PREVENTABLE INCIDENTS FALL 2021 ALSO INSIDE: For Leadership: Protect Against Cyberattacks For Operations: Safety Road Map For Drivers: Theft Prevention For Employees: Proper Footwear AN ATTAINABLE GOAL FOR THOSE WHO PERSIST

Transcript of FALL 2021 ZERO PREVENTABLE INCIDENTS

For Drivers: Theft Prevention
For Employees: Proper Footwear
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contributors .................................................................... 3
What is Value-Driven® Company? .................................. 4
How to Use This Booklet ................................................ 5
VALUE-DRIVEN® LEADERSHIP ......................... 6
Give Safety a Seat at the Table ..................................... 8
Ask the IT Security Specialist: Cyberattacks ................. 9
VALUE-DRIVEN® OPERATIONS ...................... 10
Ask the Safety Rep: Disc Brakes ................................. 13
VALUE-DRIVEN® DRIVING ................................ 14
Theft Prevention .......................................................... 15
Fall Driving Hazards .................................................... 19
Access Online Resources ............................................ 33
CONTRIBUTORS Scott Claffey Jack Duke Tony Evans
Bubba Fiveash Todd Hosea Leo Hughes
Chris Li Doug Orton
Megan Palacios Laura Saunders
Safety Talk FALL 2021
4 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Value-Driven Company (VDC) is more than just the suite of industry-leading safety products developed by Great West Casualty Company. It is a mindset, an operating philosophy. Behind every VDC product is the belief that an organization’s core values directly impact employee performance. Values such as honesty, integrity, professionalism, and protecting life are common themes found in our products because these values, if shared throughout the organization, aid in forming the foundation to achieve organizational excellence. VDC products focus on engaging all employees in the company’s loss prevention efforts. Each product targets four key areas, or pillars, within a motor carrier: Leadership, Operations, Driving, and Life.
Value-Driven® Leadership is intended for owners, CEOs, and other top-level management and leaders. These products concentrate on influencing behavior, changing culture, becoming a change agent, and communicating. Value-Driven Leadership highlights awareness of this critical role and offers insight into actions leaders can take to assess and solidify a strong company culture that is value driven.
Value-Driven® Operations is intended for driver managers, dispatchers, load planners, sales people, safety directors, and other key personnel who are involved in day-to-day operations. These products focus on self- diagnosing and overcoming operational interruptions, managing risks, fostering stronger communication and cooperation, and improving overall performance.
Value-Driven® Driving is intended for truck drivers and driver managers. These products concentrate on the decisions drivers make behind the wheel and around the truck. They discuss the factors that contribute to large truck crashes and explore techniques to help drivers prevent serious losses by applying values-based decisions to their occupation.
Value-Driven® Life is the final piece, focusing on preventing workplace injuries as well as promoting health and wellness. These products are meant for all employees, from drivers and mechanics to office staff and off-site personnel.
Value-Driven Company is not static. We are constantly adding products to help support our insureds’ efforts to promote safety and build a culture that values protecting life, both from a moral perspective and as a financial strategy. For more information on Value-Driven Company, please contact your Great West Safety Representative.
What is Value-Driven® Company?
Leadership Operations Driving Life
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 5
“Safety Talk” is an award-winning publication designed to address hazards affecting all areas of trucking operations. The goal is to educate all employees on their roles in your company’s risk management efforts and provide ways for them to apply simple loss prevention techniques to their jobs.
This booklet is divided into four sections: Leadership, Operations, Driving, and Life. Each section includes an overview that outlines the target audience for each section as well as three articles or detachable flyers that can be easily distributed to employees. All articles are available electronically and can be downloaded by going to our Secure Portal (www.gwccnet.com) and navigating to the Value-Driven® Company page.
Our recommendation is to distribute at least one article from each section of the booklet per month to everyone in the company. To help measure your progress, we have provided a tracking sheet located in the back of each booklet to quantify the company’s participation rate and safety performance based on Safety Measurement System (SMS) results, OSHA-recordable incidents, near misses, and loss runs. It is recommended that management review the tracking sheet results and other performance measures at least monthly with employees to identify negative trends and devise a strategy to actively correct these issues.
How you choose to utilize these materials is up to you. We do not want to tell you how to run your company. If the topics are not relevant to the types of losses or issues your company is experiencing at this time, then, by all means, continue focusing your efforts on those areas and pull this booklet out of your toolbox at a later time. We encourage you to use these materials in a way that best suits your operations.
Lastly, each quarter you will find a product spotlight article that highlights one of Great West’s safety products and services. We want to make sure you are aware of all the tools we provide to help support your safety efforts. If you have additional questions or need help brainstorming ideas on how to incorporate these materials into your organization, please contact your safety representative, safety department, or agent for assistance.
How to Use This Booklet
VALUE-DRIVEN®
LEADERSHIP
6 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
TARGET AUDIENCE Owners, CEOs, and other top-level management and leaders.
SUGGESTED USE Distribute one article per month to your leadership team. Ask all team members to read the article and challenge them to participate in the “Call to Action” activities.
METRICS At the end of each month, use the tracking sheet in the back of this booklet to record how many of the “Call to Action” activities were completed by the company’s leadership team. At the end of the quarter, calculate the participation rate, discuss the results, and devise ways to improve, if necessary.
WATER COOLER DISCUSSION After distributing the articles, ask each person what he/she thought about the topics. Questions to pose can include:
• Did he/she find the topics relevant to his/her job? • Is there room for improvement in this area of the organization? If yes, what can he/she do to help the organization implement such improvement?
How do you climb a mountain? The answer: One step at a time. Whether it’s losing weight, building a successful motor carrier, or any other goal worth pursuing, persistence is key to success. From a safety standpoint, one performance goal that is put on a pedestal is achieving zero preventable incidents over a given timeframe. This may seem like an unattainable goal due to the high-risk nature of the trucking industry, but it is not. In reality, working a day, week, month, quarter, or calendar year without experiencing any type of preventable incident is achievable depending on the path you choose for your company. That’s right, you, the leader of the organization. Everything runs downhill, especially your company’s culture. Employees follow your lead, mimicking your actions, carrying out your orders, and adopting your values. If zero preventable incidents is your company’s goal, then you have to walk the walk and talk the talk to make that happen. Your employees will adopt whatever culture you create, and if incidents are acceptable—including the behaviors that lead to incidents—then you need to choose a different path for your organization.
Successful motor carriers understand that the path to zero preventable incidents requires persistence: a dogged determination to continuously improve. If you have gone a month or a year without an incident, ask yourself why. Was it because you had the management controls in place to achieve those results, or can it be chalked up to good fortune? Persistent leaders will analyze performance data on a regular basis to identify opportunities for improvement. One tool to help in this area is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Safety Measurement System (SMS). Persistently monitoring your company’s results on a monthly basis may bring to light a negative trend in unsafe driving, maintenance issues, and Hours-of Services violations. These red flags are also known as leading indicators, behaviors that commonly lead to incidents. They are also signs of systemic issues in your organization, and if you do not take corrective actions, these issues pose a serious risk to your company.
Another act of persistence is to conduct incident investigations. While the goal is to prevent incidents from happening, sometimes you must look back to go forward. Analyzing past incidents and identifying the root causes may shed light on operational issues you were not aware of. For instance, loose hiring standards, ineffective training, and poor communication could have been factors in past incidents. They might also be the source of future problems if gone unchecked.
Remember, as the late, great Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”1 Be persistent in your pursuit of zero preventable incidents and make the changes necessary to achieve this goal.
Choose the Path of Most Persistence
CALL TO ACTION • Monitor SMS results regularly for
negative trends.
• Integrate safety into every aspect of the organization.
• Investigate all incidents and near misses.
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 7
1Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/einstein-s-parable-of-quantum-insanity/.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
8 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Give Safety a Seat at the Table
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
One mistake any person in a leadership role can make is to ignore or fail to realize the value each department brings to the organization. This can be especially true in siloed organizations where barriers exist that limit the effectiveness of communication between co-workers and departments. Barriers can be physical, cultural, or personal in nature. A physical barrier refers to being geographically separated, either across the country or even in the same building. Cultural barriers can include misunderstandings due to language or customs that may create communication breakdowns. However, this article speaks to company cultures that create barriers. As mentioned earlier, siloed organizations impede interdepartmental communication, whether intentionally or not. Finally, personal barriers involve individual attitudes and biases. A person may be reluctant to receive feedback or input from others for personal reasons. Whatever the case may be, a motor carrier’s leadership team cannot afford to make mission- critical decisions without input from every affected department.
Whoever manages your safety and regulatory compliance efforts should have a seat at the table in every operational meeting involving department heads. Because transportation is a highly regulated, high-risk industry, who better to help department heads achieve their organizational objectives than safety? Preventing losses and managing risks should be top of mind in every business decision. If a motor carrier cannot operate safely, it is losing money. If it is losing money, the company cannot compete, and if the company cannot compete, it cannot survive. So, regardless of fleet size and organizational structure, senior management should view safety as one of the most important keys to the company’s long-term success.
Here are two examples that show how safety can contribute to the discussion of trucking-related issues that motor carriers face on a daily basis.
DRIVER SHORTAGE/RETENTION Screening and selecting drivers requires due diligence. Making a bad hiring decision can cost a motor carrier in terms of the dollars associated with crashes/ injuries, repairs, hiring a replacement driver, and training that person. Involving your safety team in discussions pertaining to the company’s hiring and retention standards and road tests can help identify an applicant’s performance or knowledge gaps that could lead to problems down the road if the applicant were hired.
NEW BUSINESS Before bringing on new business, consider having someone from your safety department analyze the risk first. There could be hazards present that need to be addressed up front. For instance, what if the truck has to be backed into the facility, requiring a spotter or traffic control? How good is the location’s physical security? Is the driver expected to manually handle freight?
CALL TO ACTION • Include a safety representative in
management-level operations meetings.
• Develop a new business checklist that includes a hazard analysis by safety.
• Conduct road tests on all drivers.
• Partner with safety to develop the company’s hiring and retention standards for drivers.
CALL TO ACTION • Train all employees on cyber- security threats.
• Hire a cybersecurity firm to assess your company’s vulnerability to cyberattack.
• Develop a company information security policy.
• Implement data security, backup, and recovery protocols.
Ask the IT Specialist
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 9
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY COMPANY FROM CYBERATTACKS? Protecting your company against cyberattacks is one area of your risk management strategy that cannot be overlooked. According to StealthLabs, “A cybersecurity threat is a malicious and deliberate attack by an individual or organization to gain unauthorized access to another individual’s or organization’s network to damage, disrupt, or steal IT assets, computer networks, intellectual property, or any other form of sensitive data.”1 Examples of cybersecurity threats facing motor carriers include phishing, malware, and ransomware through email, cell phones, Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth connections. Even electronic logging devices are vulnerable due to their connectivity to law enforcement, vendors, etc. To help protect your company from cyberattacks, here is a brief list of actions to consider.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY Employees are targeted heavily by cybercriminals, and it only takes one bad click or slip of the tongue to open the door to thieves. Conduct cybersecurity awareness training with employees to help educate them on the importance of this risk and the recognition of and response to potential threats. Also, do not allow employees to use company computers for personal business or surfing the web.
DATA BACKUPS Establish a schedule to back up data from computers and servers to a portable or cloud-based storage. To increase protection, use strong encryption methods and multi-factor authentication.
WEBSITE SECURITY Encrypt and secure your company website with a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate. Your website’s URL should have ‘https’ in front of it to show users it is secure. Failing to do this can deter applicants who may be reluctant to share personal information on an insecure website.
PASSWORD PROTECTION Three common mistakes computer users make regarding passwords is that they are too short, they are not changed regularly, and the same password is used for every online account. Using a passphrase that is unique and contains unrelated words is a good start. Also, the passphrase should consist of at least 14 characters and include a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
For additional information on how to protect your business against cyberattack, go to the Federal Communications Commission website (https://www.fcc.gov/general/ cybersecurity-small-business) and download the “Cybersecurity Tip Sheet.”
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. 1Retrieved from: https://www.stealthlabs.com/blog/cyber-security-threats-all-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=A%20cybersecurity%20threat%20is%20a,other%20form%20of%20sensitive%20data.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
VALUE-DRIVEN®
OPERATIONS
10 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
TARGET AUDIENCE Dispatchers, driver managers, load planners, salespeople, safety staff, and other personnel who have contact with the driver force.
SUGGESTED USE Distribute one article per month to your Operations team. Ask all team members to read the article and challenge them to participate in the “Call to Action” activities.
METRICS At the end of each month, use the tracking sheet in the back of this booklet to record how many of the “Call to Action” activities were completed by Operations. At the end of the quarter, calculate the participation rate, discuss the results with the leadership team, and devise ways to improve, if necessary.
WATER COOLER DISCUSSION After distributing the articles, ask each person what he/she thought about the topics. Questions to pose can include:
• Did he/she find the topics relevant to his/her job? • Does he/she see room for improvement within himself/herself in this area? If yes, what does he/she need from the company’s leadership team to be successful?
Trusting an expensive piece of company equipment and the valuable cargo inside is an act that should not be taken lightly. Motor carriers that do not give driver screening and selection due diligence are at an increased risk of having a newly hired driver abandon the truck and cargo or aid in their theft. For this reason, motor carriers should consider conducting background checks to verify an applicant’s history and identify red flags. Below is a list of background checks that give employers much-needed information to make an informed hiring decision. Read each description and consider how it can aid your loss prevention efforts.
You should also consult with your attorney prior to conducting any of the following checks. State law may require you to obtain express permission from the prospective employee in addition to meeting other requirements.
CRIMINAL HISTORY Verifying that an applicant has a criminal past may not eliminate the candidate from consideration, but it certainly raises a red flag. Running a criminal background check and comparing it to the application or resume is a good way to see how forthright and honest the applicant is being with you.
PAST EMPLOYMENT An applicant’s history of job hopping is another red flag to watch out for. If he or she has demonstrated a pattern of quitting jobs every few months, chances are the applicant will do the same with you.
SAFETY PERFORMANCE Running the applicant’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report provides an employer with five years of the driver’s crash history and three years of roadside inspection data. PSP is a valuable tool to learn if the driver tends to exhibit unsafe driving behaviors, even if those behaviors have not led to a crash.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL Motor carriers must verify a current or prospective employee’s drug and alcohol violations before permitting him or her to operate commercial motor vehicles on public roads. Carriers are required to use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to conduct queries.
CIVIC HISTORY Similar to past employment, verifying an applicant’s previous addresses and looking for gaps can raise red flags. For instance, if a gap of more than one month exists, ask why. Perhaps the applicant was incarcerated or has another reason.
CREDIT HISTORY An applicant’s credit history can shed light on any debt or collections issues. If the applicant has money problems, this should raise a red flag.
Use Background Checks to Prevent Driver Thefts
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 11
CALL TO ACTION • Conduct criminal background
checks on all applicants.
• Subscribe to the FMCSA’s PSP program.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
Safety Road Map Tips for Regulatory Compliance
Successful motor carriers who are subject to federal safety regulations embrace compliance as part of their overall risk management strategy. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary business interruptions (i.e., roadside inspections); preventable violations, which can damage a company’s reputation; and possibly monetary fines and penalties. Each of these outcomes has the potential to decrease revenue, increase expenses, or both, negatively impacting your bottom line and long-term sustainability.
For those who are new to the regulations or are looking to self-assess their compliance efforts, Great West Casualty Company designed the Safety Road Map to help. In the “Regulatory Compliance” section are three tasks designed to aid your compliance efforts. If you have already completed these tasks, that’s great! Keep at it and look for other ways to improve. However, if you identify any gaps, consider these resources as you take corrective action.
1. Use the Motor Carrier Safety Planner. The FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Planner (MCSP) website provides simple explanations and templates to help motor carriers understand and comply with federal safety regulations. In this task are listed a few resources Great West recommends getting familiar with, such as the free documents in the Forms Library (ex. driver qualification file checklist and forms), and the “Carrier Compliance Questionnaire” for conducting a self-audit.
2. Record all vehicle crashes in an accident register. All DOT-reportable crashes must be recorded in an accident register. However, Great West recommends recording all vehicle-related incidents, not just the DOT reportables. The reason for this is that it is easy to forget about smaller incidents, like backing into a loading dock. Out of sight and out of mind, minor incidents can add up and could be a leading indicator that more serious incidents are on the horizon. If you would like a free accident register, please contact Great West and we would be happy to send you one.
3. Learn more about the DOT regulations and the FMCSA. This task speaks more to those who are new to the trucking industry and federal safety regulations. Regulatory compliance can feel overwhelming, even to those who have been in the industry a long time. Not knowing what you do not know can also be frustrating. Three resources are provided: Great West’s Learning Library, the FMCSA’s New Entrants website, and ETHOS, which is the FMCSA’s Educational Tool for Hours of Service. Four videos in the Learning Library are recommended, plus you may find the FMCSA’s New Entrants and ETHOS websites very helpful.
Note: Completing these three tasks is voluntary and does not constitute compliance with all of the regulations. These tasks are meant to assist you as you start down the path of compliance.
12 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
CALL TO ACTION • Download the “Carrier Compliance
Questionnaire” from the MCSP website and conduct a self-audit.
• Record all vehicle-related incidents in an accident register.
• Complete the third task in the Regulatory Compliance section of the Safety Road Map.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
CALL TO ACTION • Assign drivers Learning Library training videos on brake inspections.
• Measure the number of preventable equipment violations and take corrective actions.
• Hold drivers and mechanics responsible for preventable equipment violations.
Ask the Safety Representative
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 13
1Retrieved from https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/hard-braking-considerations-disc-or-drum/#:~:text=The%20main%20strong%20point%20for,drum%20brakes%2C%20 depending%20on%20speed.&text=Compared%20to%20disc%20brakes%2C%20drum,replacements%20in%20a%20given%20period.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY ADVANTAGES OF USING AIR DISC BRAKES? Air disc brakes (ADB) are now standard for many new trucks built after 2018 and can be ordered on either the steer or drive axles, or both. ADB can also be ordered for most trailer types. From a safety standpoint, ADB can help reduce the risk of rear-end crashes. According to Fleet Equipment Magazine, “The main strong point for disc brakes (over drum brakes) is reduced stopping distance. With disc brakes, that distance can be anywhere from 17% to 33% shorter than drum brakes, depending on speed.”1
Other advantages of using ADB include: • No brake fade caused by heating up the brakes due to excessive usage. • Generally less maintenance, although not maintenance-free. • No slack-adjuster-related “out of adjustment” violations from roadside inspections. • Longer life before replacement. • Use of a caliper/pad mechanism, compared to the lining/drum/S-cam mechanism found on drum brakes.
Consider the type of operation you run before choosing the equipment to best fit your needs.
WHAT CAN I DO TO TRAIN MY DRIVERS ON BRAKE-RELATED VIOLATIONS? Try Great West Casualty Company’s Learning Library. Here are some short videos to help you address this topic:
• CSA Minutes > Failure to Conduct a Pre-trip Inspection • CSA Minutes > Inoperative/Defective Brakes – 393.48(a) • Equipment & Maintenance Violation Prevention > Pre-Trip Approach and Maintenance • Equipment & Maintenance Violation Prevention > Pre/Post-Trip Component Inspection • Equipment & Maintenance Violation Prevention > Roadside Vehicle Inspection Cheatsheet
Note: This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.
VALUE-DRIVEN®
DRIVING
14 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
TARGET AUDIENCE Truck drivers, driver trainers, and driver managers.
SUGGESTED USE Distribute one article per month to your drivers and challenge them to read the article and reflect on the hazards and loss prevention techniques presented. Afterward, reinforce the material by assigning each driver the “Test Your Knowledge” activity. Instruct drivers to turn the completed activity into management so the training can be documented.
SAFETY CONTESTS The “Test Your Knowledge” activities are great for safety contests. When drivers turn in the activity, put the names of those who finished it correctly in a prize drawing. At the end of the month, rotate having senior leaders in the company announce the winners. Make it fun, and be as creative as you like!
METRICS Each month, fill out the “Value-Driven Driving” section of the tracking sheet located in the back of this booklet. Determine if the participation rate and safety performance results reflect the goals the company has set for itself. Discuss the results with the leadership team and devise ways to improve, if necessary.
WATER COOLER DISCUSSION After distributing the articles, ask drivers what they thought about the subject, the hazards, and the defensive techniques discussed. Questions to pose can include:
• Did they find the topics relevant to their jobs? • Can they relate to the “A Driver’s Story” testimonies? • What can they do to help avoid a loss?
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 15
Theft Prevention
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
Equipment and cargo thefts are a constant risk for motor carriers. Thieves are always on the prowl, looking for easy targets. Read the information below and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to protect yourself from being a victim of theft.
OTHER THEFT PREVENTION TIPS
RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDS
BE VIGILANT Cargo theft could happen any time or anywhere, so be proactive and be mindful of your surroundings, especially over weekends and holidays. The longer you remain parked in one area, the easier it is for thieves to target you.
CONDUCT VEHICLE INSPECTIONS A pre-trip vehicle inspection should be performed before each day and at every stop. Verify that seals and padlocks are secure and untampered.
REPORT THEFTS IMMEDIATELY If you are the victim of theft, report it immediately. Follow your company guidelines on notifying your employer, the police, and insurance company. The more quickly the theft is reported, the faster the response to recover the equipment and cargo.
ENVIRONMENT Hauling freight into known hot spots for cargo thieves is one hazard truck drivers should be mindful of. Dimly-lit and unfenced locations, parking areas without surveillance cameras, truck stops, and public rest areas are common hubs for cargo thieves.
EQUIPMENT Trailer doors that are not sealed and padlocked are ripe targets for thieves. Likewise, stepping away from an idling truck for too long or not using a king pin lock to secure a dropped trailer increases the risk of theft.
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS Discussing cargo with strangers can invite would-be thieves to hijack your load. Additionally, failing to lock the truck when away, not conducting a pre-trip inspection, and a general lack of awareness of one’s surroundings can increase the risk of theft.
KNOW THE DEFENSE
• Fuel the truck before picking up a load so you do not have to stop immediately after getting underway. • Back the trailer against a wall or loading dock when parking to prevent access. • Do not discuss your cargo or destination in public or with strangers. • Use theft prevention tools such as a king pin lock, glad hand lock, seals, and padlocks to secure trailers.
16 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
A truck driver was heading north on NV-375 near Rachel, Nevada, hauling a dry van trailer full of baby formula. He had just picked up his load and decided to stop for fuel and dinner before it got dark outside. The driver found a roadside diner known for its out-of-this-world menu and parked behind the building in a gravel lot. After finishing his meal, the driver pulled up to the fuel island. He began filling the tank when a fellow truck driver approached and told him his trailer doors were open. Confused, the driver ran to the back of the truck and discovered the trailer seal and padlock had been cut off. He looked inside and found several empty pallets. The driver reported the incident immediately to his dispatcher, who called the police and insurance company.
Name: ___________________________________
1. Talking about your cargo openly with a stranger does not increase your risk of theft. A. True B. False
2. Which of the following devices can help prevent cargo theft? A. Seals B. Padlocks C. King pin locks D. All of the above
3. Conducting a vehicle inspection before each trip, during every stop, and after you arrive is a good way to ensure cargo theft measures are in place and not tampered with. A. True B. False
4. All of the following are hazards that increase the risk of cargo theft EXCEPT: A. Leaving the cab unlocked. B. Forgetting to use a seal and padlock on the trailer doors. C. Backing the trailer against a wall or loading dock to prevent access while parked. D. Hauling freight to cargo theft hotspots around the country.
5. As soon as you realize you are the victim of equipment or cargo theft, you should report it immediately. A. True B. False
Answers can be found on p. 35. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
Theft Prevention
A DRIVER’S STORY
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 17
Right Turn Squeeze Crashes A right turn squeeze crash can occur when a truck driver starts to make a right turn and leaves too much space between the truck and the curb. A vehicle behind may mistake this maneuver as the truck changing lanes and try to pass on the right. When the truck then turns right, a collision can occur with the vehicle while the vehicle is in the truck’s blind spot. Read the information below and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to improve your driving skills and reduce the risk of a right turn squeeze crash.
ENVIRONMENT Small intersections can make it difficult to perform a right turn. Also, vehicles that extend into the intersection, creating less room for the truck, are hazards. Pedestrians standing close to the curb are at risk if the truck jumps the curb.
EQUIPMENT A truck with inoperable turn signals creates a hazard. Also, a truck without fender- or hood-mounted mirrors can hinder the truck driver’s ability to manage the space around the truck. Likewise, any mirrors misaligned or obstructed in any way can increase the risk of a right turn squeeze crash.
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS Bad driving techniques, such as failing to signal a turn, crossing lane dividers, and failing to keep the rear of the trailer close to the curb may cause a right turn squeeze crash. Also, failing to use the mirrors, entering a turn too fast, driving while distracted, and poor route planning are additional hazards.
PLAN AHEAD • Plan your route in advance and identify potential hazards, like challenges entering a facility.
• Keep mirrors properly aligned and make adjustments during stops. • Conduct a pre-trip vehicle inspection to ensure lights and turn signals are working properly.
MAKE A PROPER RIGHT-HAND TURN • Maneuver the truck into the far-right lane well in advance of the turn. • Activate the right turn signal to alert other drivers of your intention. • At the intersection, ensure there is ample space to complete the right-hand turn. Watch for hazards, such as pedestrians or vehicles. If the turn cannot be made due to a lack of space, wait for traffic to clear, or move on to a safer location. • Do not swing the truck left into the adjacent lane. • Keep the rear of the trailer as close to the curb as possible. This prevents vehicles behind your truck from seeing an open lane ahead and attempting to pass on the right.
• If you run out of space while making the turn, do not back up. Wait for traffic to clear and then complete the turn. If backing is the only option, get out of the truck and find someone to assist with traffic control.
RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDS
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
KNOW THE DEFENSE
18 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Right Turn Squeeze Crashes
A truck driver was traveling on a four-lane city street in the far-right lane. As she neared her turn to deliver a load of dog food to a local pet store, the driver activated her turn signal. Mindful of a van directly behind her, the driver made her right turn, keeping the back of the trailer as close to the curb as possible. The right turn was tight, but the truck driver managed to perform the maneuver flawlessly. She completed her delivery on time.
Name: ___________________________________
1. If oncoming traffic prevents you from making a right turn, it is best to back up and start again. A. True B. False
2. Which of the following is NOT a hazard that can increase the risk of a right turn squeeze crash? A. Vehicles passing on the right B. Rear of the trailer too far away from the curb C. Activating the turn signal D. Oncoming traffic
3. Being aware of the vehicles and pedestrians around the truck at all times is called _______________. A. Safety Measurement System B. Get Out And Look (GOAL) C. Space management D. Lean and Look
4. Pedestrians standing near the curb pose a serious hazard when negotiating a right turn. A. True B. False
5. Which of the following can help reduce the risk of a right turn squeeze crash? A. Fender-mounted mirrors B. Turn signals C. Proper technique D. All the above
Answers can be found on p. 35. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Fall Driving Hazards
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 19
REDUCED VISIBILITY Fall brings shorter days and reduced visibility while driving. This can affect your depth perception, sensitivity to oncoming headlights, visual acuity, and color recognition. Driving tips to consider: • Avoid driving in the dark when possible. • Keep windows and mirrors clean. • Slow down to increase perception and reaction times. • Be aware of potential state requirements to turn headlights on when windshield wipers are on.
FARM EQUIPMENT Truck drivers encounter farm equipment on roads more during harvest season. Farm equipment is slow-moving and difficult to see around. They have fewer lights and may not have warning triangles or reflectors, making them less conspicuous. Farm equipment drivers are known to make sudden movements off-road or into fields. When encountering an oncoming, extra-wide farm vehicle straddling the center line, remember, it cannot easily make room. Proceed with caution, and consider the following driving tips around farm vehicles: • Watch for highway warning signs indicating a farm crossing. • Slow down to avoid a rear-end crash. • Be patient and do not pass unless it is safe and legal to do so. • Avoid distractions and be vigilant toward the appearance of farm equipment in agricultural areas.
BACK TO SCHOOL Be mindful of school zones, bus stops, and buses on the roadway, especially in rural areas. Also, look out for parents dropping off and picking up children. Driving tips to consider: • Slow down and obey all traffic laws. • Avoid distractions (i.e., texting/talking on the phone, which may be illegal in school zones). • Use an alternate route to avoid school zones.
ANIMAL STRIKES Fall brings an increase in deer activity and other animals crossing roads. • Avoid distractions and be attentive to the road ahead. • Slow down to increase perception and reaction times. • Do not swerve out of your lane; hit the animal, if needed, to avoid losing control of the truck.
ADVERSE WEATHER Wet leaves, frost, and freezing rains can make the road slippery and affect the truck’s stopping distance. Safe driving tips to consider are: • Slow down and increase following distance. • Ensure tires have proper tread depth. • Keep brakes properly adjusted.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
Driving in the fall creates a new set of seasonal risks for drivers. From shorter days to increased road obstacles, drivers need to be on guard for fall-related hazards and know how to prevent a crash. Read the information below about various fall driving hazards and decide how you can improve your driving techniques.
20 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
A truck driver was traveling through western Kentucky on a rural road. It was a brisk day in early October. The skies were clear, but the roads were wet and covered with fallen leaves. The truck driver was heading west towards Bowling Green, Kentucky, when he came upon a slow-moving, extra-wide farm tractor. The tractor was straddling the center line with the right-side wheels on the shoulder. The truck driver wisely slowed down and turned on his hazard lights. With a steady stream of oncoming traffic, he did not intend to attempt to pass the tractor. Settling in behind the tractor, the truck driver patiently waited for the tractor to turn off the road. The delay was less than two minutes, and the truck driver was soon back up to speed, continuing his route.
Name: ___________________________________
1. Which of the following are hazards associated with farm equipment on roads? A. They are slow moving. B. They are inconspicuous. C. They are oversized and difficult to see around. D. All of the above
2. When entering a school zone, slow down, obey all traffic laws, and be on the lookout for children. A. True B. False
3. It is better to hit an animal blocking the road than to take evasive action, risking losing control of the vehicle and potentially upsetting the truck.
A. True B. False
4. All of the following are seasonal hazards found primarily during the fall months EXCEPT: A. Farm equipment on the road during harvest season. B. Increased traffic in school zones. C. Snow removal equipment. D. Deer strikes during hunting and mating season.
5. Driving at night can affect your depth perception, sensitivity to oncoming headlights, visual acuity, and color recognition.
A. True B. False
Answers can be found on p. 35. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
Fall Driving Hazards
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
ANNUAL SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR
Continuing with last year’s online format, we will again be holding this year’s Annual Safety and Risk Management Seminar as a series of informative webinars during the dates of October 26-28, 2021.
At this year’s event, we will discuss some of the industry’s most pressing issues and provide updates on new and pending regulations. Both parts of this two-part webinar will be offered multiple times so that you can pick the date and time that best suits your schedule. Registration for this FREE event is limited, so please register now. Visit http:// www.gwccnet.com/safety2021 to register and learn more. If you have questions, contact your Great West agent or safety representative.
GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY’S
ANNUAL SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR
VALUE-DRIVEN®
LIFE
22 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
TARGET AUDIENCE Office staff, mechanics, material handlers, and drivers.
SUGGESTED USE The “Value-Driven Life” section contains three articles, each covering a topic that applies to all employees. Distribute one article per month to employees and encourage them to read the article and reflect on the hazards presented and recommended loss prevention techniques. Afterward, reinforce the material by assigning each person the “Test Your Knowledge” activity. Instruct them to turn the completed activity into management so the training can be documented. Be aware that in certain editions of “Safety Talk,” there could be three “Value-Driven Life” articles that cover the same topic but are intended for different audiences, such as drivers, mechanics, and office personnel. In this case, distribute the appropriate article to the target audience.
SAFETY CONTESTS The “Test Your Knowledge” activities are great for safety contests. For example, when drivers turn in their activities, put the names of those who finished it correctly in a prize drawing. At the end of the month, rotate having senior leaders in the company announce the winners. Make it fun, and be as creative as you like!
METRICS Each month, fill out the “Value-Driven Life” section of the tracking sheet located in the back of this booklet. Determine if the participation rate and safety performance results reflect the goals the company has set for itself. Discuss the results with the leadership team and devise ways to improve, if necessary.
WATER COOLER DISCUSSION After distributing the articles, ask drivers what they thought about the subject, the hazards, and defensive techniques discussed. Questions to pose can include:
• Did they find the topics relevant to their jobs? • Can they relate to the “A Lesson Learned” section of the article? • What can they do to avoid work-related injuries?
Safety Talk FALL 2017 23©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 23
Wearing protective footwear while working around the truck can help prevent injuries. From avoiding slips, trips, and falls to protecting against objects rolling onto or penetrating your feet, proper footwear is an essential piece of personal protective equipment. Improper footwear can also be uncomfortable and lead to calluses, ingrown toenails, etc. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can better protect yourself and your feet from injury.
PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR FOR TRUCK DRIVERS (DO’S & DON’TS) • Do – Wear footwear that meets any company- or customer-specific policy. • Do – Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles when working around the truck. • Do – Wear footwear with steel toes when working around the truck. • Do – Wear footwear made of material that can prevent punctures. • Do – Wear footwear that provides ankle support. • Do – Wear footwear appropriate for the conditions (i.e., snow, heat, etc.). • Don’t – Wear shoes like sneakers, cowboy boots, or sandals that have no traction on the sole. • Don’t – Wear damaged shoes that need to be repaired or replaced.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT • Lace and tie your shoes so that shoes fit closely around the heel and ankle. • Leave at least a thumb’s width of space in the toe box so your toes have plenty of room. • Allow extra room for heavy socks and arch supports. • Walk around in the shoes to check for proper fit and comfort.
FOOTWEAR MAINTENANCE • Apply a water-resistant coating, if necessary. • Inspect your footwear regularly for signs of wear and tear. • Repair or replace any damaged footwear immediately.
CARING FOR YOUR FEET • Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly. • Treat athlete’s foot, blisters, discolored nails, and other foot problems immediately. • Bring a backup pair of shoes on trips for emergencies. • Do not share shoes or pedicure tools with others. • Examine your feet daily for problems or changes in appearance. • Roll a tennis ball under your feet to relieve tension. • Use foot powder if needed to keep feet dry. • Trim your toenails regularly. • Always wear clean socks. • Massage your feet regularly.
Footwear
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
It was a beautiful fall morning when a long-haul truck driver awoke in his sleeper berth. He had an hour to clean up and have breakfast before hitting the road. After grabbing his grooming kit, he threw on his sandals as he prepared to exit the truck. Still blurry-eyed, the driver climbed out of the cab with his grooming kit in hand. The driver’s foot slipped on the wet tractor steps because his sandals had no traction. He lost grip with his one hand and fell to the ground, landing on his back and hitting his head. Fortunately, someone happened by and found him soon after. He was rushed to the hospital and treated for a slipped disc in his back, plus abrasions and a concussion.
Name: ___________________________________
1. Protective footwear for working around the truck includes all of the following EXCEPT: A. Slip-resistant soles B. Steel toes C. Ankle support D. Open-toe box
2. Footwear without slip-resistant soles increases the risk of injury when climbing in and out of the truck. A. True B. False
3. Which of the following techniques can help you take care of your feet? A. Wash your feet daily and dry thoroughly. B. Trim your toenails regularly. C. Wear clean socks. D. All of the above
4. Footwear that appears damaged should be repaired or replaced immediately. A. True B. False
5. Which of the following types of footwear are inappropriate for working around the truck? A. Cowboy boots B. Tennis shoes C. Sandals D. All of the above
Answers can be found on p. 35.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
24 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Footwear
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
A LESSON LEARNED
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 25
Opening/Closing Trailer Doors Opening and closing trailer doors are two of the leading causes of work-related injuries for truck drivers. Read the information below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to protect yourself from harm.
ENVIRONMENT High winds can catch a swinging trailer door while you are holding it and cause back or shoulder strains. The door could also hit you with great force. Potholes, ice, mud, and uneven ground around the rear of the trailer can also lead to slips, trips, and falls when opening or closing trailer doors.
EQUIPMENT Cargo could shift in transit and fall on a driver if he or she opens the door carelessly. Doors that are not properly secured to the side of the trailer can also get caught by the wind and hit the driver.
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS Hurrying and not using proper door straps are unsafe behaviors that contribute to injuries. Also, not being aware of one’s surroundings (i.e., wind direction, slip, trip, and fall hazards) can also lead to injuries.
OPENING TRAILER DOORS 1. Start by stretching your arms, legs, back, and shoulders. 2. Ensure there are no obstacles or people that could prevent opening the doors. 3. Check the wind direction. Be mindful of the wind’s catching the trailer’s swing doors. 4. Look for slip, trip, and fall hazards around the trailer. 5. Install door straps, if available. 6. Stand behind the trailer’s left-side swing door and feel the right-side door for pressure from fallen cargo. 7. If there is no pressure, open the right-side door far enough to peer inside for signs of fallen cargo. Do the same for roll-up doors. 8. If cargo has shifted, try to close the door and lock it, then ask for assistance. Do this for roll-up doors also. 9. If cargo falls, get away from the area quickly. Do not attempt to catch falling cargo. 10. If cargo is secure, open the door completely and secure it to the side of the trailer. Do not attempt to catch a swing door if it is caught by the wind. 11. Visually inspect behind the left-side trailer door. Do not open the door if fallen cargo is present. 12. If cargo is secure, open the left-side door and secure it to the trailer.
CLOSING TRAILER DOORS When loading is complete and cargo has been properly secured: 1. Be aware of your surroundings (i.e., slip, trip, and fall hazards; forklift traffic; wind direction; etc.). 2. If the trailer is in the dock well, pull out of the well to level ground before closing the doors. 3. With rollup doors, close the door while standing on the dock. 4. With swing doors, pull the trailer away from dock to provide enough clearance to close the doors. 5. If door latches are damaged, have them replaced. Do not use bailing wire and/or bungee cords.
RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDS
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
26 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Opening/Closing Trailer Doors
A driver working for a mid-sized truckload motor carrier in Kansas was delivering cartons of milk. The driver was behind schedule due to delays at the receiver. As soon as a dock was available, the driver backed in and began unloading. In his haste, however, the driver did not follow safety procedures for opening the trailer doors, and rather than using the door strap he had been issued, the driver proceeded to open the trailer doors without checking first for fallen cargo. To his surprise, several cartons had shifted in transit and fell out on top of him. Fortunately, the driver escaped with only minor injuries, but cartons of milk were damaged, many spilling open. The receiver refused the load, costing the motor carrier money and the customer’s trust.
Name: ___________________________________
1. A __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a simple and inexpensive tool attached to the trailer doors that can help protect you from falling cargo.
2. If high winds catch a swinging trailer door, try to catch it so it does not damage the trailer. A. True B. False
3. All of the following should be performed before opening trailer doors EXCEPT: A. Check the trailer for fallen cargo pressed against the doors. B. Install door straps. C. If cargo starts falling, brace the door with your body until help arrives. D. Stand behind one door and open the opposite side enough to see if cargo might fall out.
4. It is a good practice to stretch your arms, legs, back, and shoulders before working around the truck. A. True B. False
5. Which of the following hazards might a driver encounter when opening or closing trailer doors? A. Slip, trip, and fall hazards B. High winds C. Falling cargo D. All of the above
Answers can be found on p. 35.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
A LESSON LEARNED
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 27
Proper Lifting Improper lifting is a common cause of serious back injuries and could potentially lead to a lifetime of discomfort. Also, injuries caused by improper lifting could cost you in terms of lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and your ability to enjoy the people and activities you love. Read the information below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to improve your lifting technique.
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS Most lifting injuries occur as a result of bad judgment or improper technique. A common error is rushing to lift an object without sizing up a load first to determine if you are capable of lifting the object alone. Likewise, failing to stretch your back, legs, arms, and shoulders beforehand can lead to muscle strains. Improper technique includes lifting with your back instead of your legs, making twisting movements to change direction, failing to use available personal protective equipment, or simply not asking for help.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS A person is at higher risk of injury if he or she has a pre-existing condition, such as a previous back injury, degenerative disc disorder, or obesity.
PRE-LIFTING CHECKLIST • Know your limits, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. • Size up the load and ask for help, if needed. • Warm up your back, legs, shoulders, and arms with simple stretching exercises. • Use material handling equipment, if needed. • Wear personal protective equipment including gloves, proper footwear, back support harness, etc. • Locate where an object is going and ensure there is a clear path and room to set it down safely.
PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUE
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive. This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDS
Keep your back straight.
Bend your knees (not your waist) and lift with your leg muscles.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Do not stack boxes if this will obscure your view.
Get a good grip and hold the object close to your body.
Keep your feet shoulder width apart.
28 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
Proper Lifting
A driver pulling a dry van trailer arrived at a grocery store to deliver a load of dry goods. The receiver was a small store, and no one in the warehouse was available to help unload. The driver volunteered to help and grabbed a dolly nearby. He began unloading and was near the end when a box fell off the dolly. Thinking nothing of it, the driver bent over at the waist to retrieve it. As he did so, he felt a sharp pain in his back and dropped to his knees in agony. The driver had aggravated a previous back injury and was unable to stand on his own. The store attendant witnessed the incident and rushed to his aid. She contacted the driver’s employer and explained what happened. The driver was then transported to the hospital via ambulance. His ruptured disc injury forced him to be out of work for two months.
Name: ___________________________________
1. Which of the following is not a pre-existing medical condition that could increase the risk of a back injury? A. Obesity B. Degenerative disc disorder C. Improper footwear D. Prior back injury
2. For bulky items, it is safer to try lifting the item first to test your strength before asking for assistance. A. True B. False
3. Which of the following can help reduce the risk of injury when lifting an object? A. Gloves B. Back support harness C. Stretching D. All of the above
4. Before lifting an object, locate where it is going and ensure there is a clear path and room to set it down safely. A. True B. False
5. Which of the following personal behaviors can increase the risk of injury when lifting an object? A. Hurrying B. Stretching C. Twisting movements D. Both A and C
Answers can be found on p. 35.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility or liability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
A LESSON LEARNED
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Tracking Sheet Instructions For each of the four categories (SMS, Crashes, Injuries, Training), assign a member of the company’s leadership team to use the tracking sheet to record the company’s quarterly results.
SAFETY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (SMS) PERFORMANCE The purpose of this activity is to set a quarterly goal for the company’s SMS results and measure if the goal has been met. Answer the questions below the chart, and discuss results with management.
Instructions 1. Open your internet browser and go to https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/. 2. In the table below, enter each of your company’s BASIC measures in the “AUG 31” column. 3. In the “GOAL” column, enter the score you plan to achieve by NOVEMBER 30, 2021. 4. At the end of each month, enter the motor carrier’s updated BASIC measures.
Questions 1. Did you achieve your goal for each BASIC measure? If not, why? 2. Can you identify any positive or negative trends in your results? If yes, to what do you attribute these trends? 3. What can be done to improve these results next quarter? 4. What are your SMS performance goals for next quarter?
APPENDIX Tracking Sheet
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 29
BASIC AUG 31 GOAL SEP 30 OCT 31 NOV 30 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES & ALCOHOL
CRASH INDICATOR
DRIVER FITNESS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
VEHICLE CRASH PREVENTION
The purpose of this activity is to track ALL vehicle-related incidents and measure the company’s monthly and quarterly safety performance.
Instructions At the end of each month, fill in the chart with the company’s vehicle crash results. At the end of the quarter, add the results together for each column and enter the sum in the “Quarterly Results” field.
*The four Critical Crashes are: Rear-End, Run Under, Lane Change, and Loss of Control.
Questions 1. Can you identify any positive or negative trends in the results? If yes, to what do you attribute these trends? 2. What can be done to improve these results next quarter?
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION The purpose of this activity is to track ALL workplace incidents (injuries and illnesses) to measure the company’s monthly and quarterly safety performance.
Instructions At the end of each month, fill in the chart with the company’s workplace incident results. At the end of the quarter, add the results together for each column and enter the sum in the “Quarterly Results” field.
*See OSHA 300 for the definition of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses. **Critical Injuries include slips, trips, and falls as well as injuries caused by lifting, pushing, and pulling.
Questions 1. Can you identify any positive or negative trends in the results? If yes, to what do you attribute to these trends? 2. What can be done to improve these results next quarter?
30 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
APPENDIX
CRASHES TOTAL
EXPENSES SEPTEMBER
FROM WORK # DAYS
Tracking Sheet (cont.)
TRAINING The purpose of this table is to track the entire company’s participation in the quarterly Safety Talk activities.
Instructions 1. Each month, distribute one Safety Talk article to each member of the target audience. For example, all personnel in a leadership role receive that month’s Leadership article. 2. After distributing the articles, track the following: • Leadership and Operations – Place a check mark ( ) next to each “Call to Action” activity completed. • Driving and Life – Record the number of quizzes completed vs. the number distributed. 3. At the end of each quarter, calculate the participation rate for each group.
Questions 1. Is the participation rate for each group acceptable? 2. What can be done to improve these results next quarter?
Notes
SEPTEMBER
Activity 1: ________ Activity 2: ________ Activity 3: ________
OCTOBER
Activity 1: ________ Activity 2: ________ Activity 3: ________
NOVEMBER
Activity 1: ________ Activity 2: ________ Activity 3: ________
Calculate Participation
of (Completed) (Distributed)
of (Completed) (Distributed)
of (Completed) (Distributed)
Tracking Sheet (cont.)
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 31
Product Spotlight SAFETY ROAD MAP
Great West Casualty Company is proud to announce the release of a new safety product to help smaller fleets. The Safety Road Map is a website containing tasks and resources to help small fleet owners build a foundation of safety and compliance, especially as they plan to grow their operations.
The Safety Road Map (https://info.gwccnet.com/roadmap) focuses on four key areas:
LEADERSHIP This section focuses on your role as the company’s safety champion. There are five tasks to complete and resources to develop your leadership skills. Completing these tasks can help you better anticipate the risks that can threaten your company’s success.
DRIVER SELECTION This section focuses on objectively screening and qualifying drivers. Collectively, the four tasks and available resources provided can help you make better-informed hiring decisions.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE This section focuses on aiding your regulatory compliance efforts. There are three tasks to get you started and resources provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help you self-assess your operations, identify compliance deficiencies, and take corrective actions.
LOSS PREVENTION The last section focuses on preventing vehicle crashes. The first two tasks emphasize conducting regular driver training. Resources such as Value-Driven® Driving, found in the Learning Library, and Safety Talk are recommended to communicate safety to your employees. In the event a crash does occur, reporting the accident to Great West in a timely manner can help minimize the loss.
For more information about the Safety Road Map, please contact your Great West agent or safety representative.
This material is a broad overview only, provided for informational purposes. Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) does not provide legal or employment-related advice to anyone, and this is not intended to serve as such advice. Such advice should be sought from your legal counsel. GWCC shall have no responsibility orliability to any person or entity for any issue alleged to directly or indirectly result from the use of this information.
32 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
LEARNING LIBRARY The Learning Library contains over 350 safety videos, which can accessed 24/7 using an internet-ready device, such as a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Insureds are encouraged to share their Learning Library user name and password with employees. Employees can only watch videos; they cannot make edits or view the company’s sensitive policy information while logged into the Learning Library.
LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS 1. Open your internet browser and go to www.gwccnet.com.
2. Scroll down to the “LEARNING LIBRARY” link in the center of the page.
3. At the Learning Library home page, enter your User Name and Password to log in.
• User Name - Enter your primary Great West policy number (Ex. GWP12345A)
• Password - First-time users enter the temporary password: greatwest
4. On the Resources page, click the ‘Details’ button to the left of the resource name to expand the selection.
5. Click the ‘View Resource’ button to start watching the video.
Note: As soon as you log in, you will be prompted to change your temporary password. Make the new password easy for all employees to remember. If you need help logging in, contact Vertical Alliance Group at 877.792.3866 x300, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
SAFETY ROAD MAP The Safety Road Map is an online resource to help guide motor carriers build a foundation of safety and compliance. Access to the Safety Road Map is free and does not require login credentials. Users are encouraged to review each section (Leadership, Driver Selection, Regulatory Compliance, and Loss Prevention), and determine if the recommended tasks need to be completed. Participation is voluntary.
ACCESS THE SAFETY ROAD MAP 1. Open your internet browser and go to https://info.gwccnet.com/roadmap.
2. Users can also access the Safety Road Map from inside Great West’s secure portal. • Open your internet browser and go to www.gwccnet.com. • Click on the “CLIENT LOGIN” link in the upper right-hand corner, and log in. • On the homepage, find the Safety Road Map link on the left-hand menu.
Access Online Resources
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 33
34 ©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021.
APPENDIX
CLIENT PORTAL The portal is where insureds can view their sensitive policy information, such as claims, premiums, and driver lists, as well as additional safety products and services. Unlike the Learning Library, insureds should not share their portal login credentials with unauthorized personnel.
LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS 1. Open your internet browser and go to www.gwccnet.com.
2. Click on the “CLIENT LOGIN” link in the upper right-hand corner.
3. In the “Email / User ID” field, enter your email or username.
4. In the “Password” field, enter your password.
5. Click the “Sign In” button.
6. Click on the “Safety Services” button.
REQUEST A SIGN-ON 1. Click the “Request Sign On?” link. 2. Fill in the required fields. 3. Click the “Submit Request” button.
FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD? 1. Click the “Forgot?” link to the right of the password field. 2. You can also call our Help Desk at 800.552.9118 for assistance. After submitting your request, you will receive
an email from Great West with your login information.
GREAT WEST BLOG The Great West Blog is a free resource to receive timely industry updates and Safety Talk articles emailed directly to you.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG 1. Open your internet browser and go to https://blog.gwccnet.com/blog. 2. Click the “Subscribe to our Blog” button. 3. Enter your email address. 4. Select the notification frequency. 5. Click the “Subscribe” button.
Access Online Resources
APPENDIX
Value-Driven® Driving THEFT PREVENTION (P. 16) 1. B 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. A
RIGHT TURN SQUEEZE CRASHES (P. 18) 1. B 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. D
FALL DRIVING HAZARDS (P. 20) 1. D 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. A
Value-Driven® Life FOOTWEAR (P. 24) 1. D 2. A 3. D 4. A 5. D
OPENING/CLOSING TRAILER DOORS (P. 26) 1. DOOR STRAP 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. D
PROPER LIFTING (P. 28) 1. C 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. D
Test Your Knowledge Answer Sheet
©2021 Great West Casualty Company. All rights reserved. Safety Talk FALL 2021. 35
© Great West Casualty Company 2021. The material in this publication is the property of Great West Casualty Company unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced without its written consent by any person other than a current insured of Great West Casualty Company for business purposes. Insured should attribute use as follows: “© Great West Casualty Company 2021. Used with permission by Great West Casualty Company.”
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds on employment- related issues. Therefore, the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein.
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1100 W. 29th Street South Sioux City, NE 68776 Phone: 800.228.8602
CENTRAL REGION
SOUTH SIOUX CITY 1100 W. 29th Street South Sioux City, NE 68776 Phone: 800.228.8602
ARLINGTON 624 Six Flags Drive, Ste. 240 Arlington, TX 76011 Phone: 800.257.8757
EASTERN REGION
KNOXVILLE 10100 Global Way, Ste. 100 Knoxville, TN 37932 Phone: 800.998.9288
BLOOMINGTON 3042 N. Lintel Drive Bloomington, IN 47404 Phone: 800.437.2699
WESTERN REGION
BOISE 2950 E. Goldstone Drive Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: 800.628.4415