Page 1 of 69 Transit System Safety Program Workshop Ohio Department of Transportation August 14th,...

of 69

Transit System Safety Program Workshop

Ohio Department of Transportation

August 14th, 2007

Presented by:Victoria Warner

RLS & Associates, Inc.

of 69

HISTORY

In 1997, the Ohio Department of Transportation distributed a vehicle safety program to all transit

providers throughout the State of Ohio in an effort to establish consistent and effective safety policies and

procedures.

In addition, a training was provided on this safety program to explain the different elements of the

program and the importance of its implementation within transit programs.

of 69

SAFETY PLAN PURPOSE

To communicate policies, procedures, and requirements to be followed by management, maintenance, and operational personnel in order to provide a safe

environment for agency personnel and the general public.

of 69

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Upper management commitment● To create a new plan or update an existing plan● Monitor

- Ongoing evaluation of system’s safety objectives

- Annual review of the safety plan to determine effectiveness

of 69

TO CREATE A NEW PLAN OR UPDATE AN EXISTING PLAN

♦ Locate plan and dust it off♦ Review plan content♦ Assess current program♦ Prioritize need♦ Define “reasonable” safety procedures pertinent to

system♦ Provide “adequate” driver training♦ Give employees a vested interest

of 69

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

♦ Safety inspection program to identify and correct all hazardous conditions and practices

● All facilities● Vehicles● Work procedures

♦ Investigation and review of all accidents/incidents to determine the source of negligence and to outline preventive measures

of 69

PROGRAM COMPONENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Formal and informal safety training sessions for all employees

♦ Provide protective equipment, guidelines for use, and monitor use

of 69

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Successfully administer the plan♦ Establish, monitor, and report on safety objectives♦ Develop, communicate, and enforce reasonable safety

procedures♦ Provide initial and refresher training to all employees♦ Determine preventable/non-preventable

accidents/incidents

of 69

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (CONT’D)

♦ Take disciplinary and corrective actions as necessary with employees involved in preventable accidents

♦ Set a good example

of 69

DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL

♦ Exercise maximum care and good judgment in preventing accidents

♦ Possess a valid driver’s license or commercial driver’s license as required by law at all times

♦ Maintain and have in possession a valid DOT medical examiner’s certificate, if applicable

♦ Immediately report all motor vehicle citations, convictions, suspension, or removal of driving privileges to management

of 69

DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL (CONT’D)

♦ Immediately report all accidents/incidents♦ Immediately report all unsafe practices or vehicle

conditions♦ Actively participate in all safety trainings♦ Become familiar with and operate within defined

safety procedures♦ Use/wear protective safety equipment at all times

of 69

DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL (CONT’D)

♦ Notify management when a physical or mental condition may impair ability to perform job safely

♦ Notify management when use of Rx/OTC medications may impair ability to perform job safely

♦ Accurately complete accident reports and cooperate with accident investigations

♦ Consent to fitness for duty evaluations including drug and alcohol tests required by agency or law

of 69

SAFETY COMMITTE

♦ Identify strategies to prevent losses to the system♦ Determine cause and contributing factors for

accidents/incidents♦ Identify how accident/incident may have been

prevented

of 69

SAFETY COMMITTEE (CONT’D)

♦ Assist in the development of strategies to prevent vehicle accidents

♦ Assist in efforts to communicate new and existing vehicle and operator safety requirements

♦ Identify staff who should attend training♦ Conduct annual safety audit

of 69

SAFETY COMMITTEE (CONT’D)

♦ A resource for enhancing and facilitating vehicle safety

♦ Assist management in identifying current accident prevention and safety training needs

♦ Scope should go beyond vehicle accidents♦ Provides true picture of system’s safety status

of 69

COMMITTEE MAKE-UP

♦ Management and front-line employees including drivers and mechanics

♦ Provides employees with vested interest

of 69

SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM

♦ Designed to boost employee morale and give employees positive reinforcement

♦ Standards for incentives must be:● Attainable● Earned● Valued● Based on performance over reasonable time period● Presentation must emphasize importance

♦ Does not have to be a monetary reward

of 69

RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION

♦ Define the position♦ Give a thorough description of the duties and

responsibilities of the position♦ Clearly define the qualifications of the position

● CDL/DOT physical● Drug testing● Physical requirements● Language skills● Manual dexterity● Motor Vehicle records

of 69

RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION (CONT’D)

● Criminal background checks● Other background checks● Desired knowledge, skill and abilities

of 69

RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION (CONT’D)

♦ Application must meet Federal and State equal employment opportunity laws

♦ Structured interview process♦ Manager/Supervisor should be included in the hiring

process♦ Careful consideration should be given more toward

attitude and personality

of 69

DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS

♦ Targeted recruitments♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements

● Application● Interview● Physical Requirements

- Mental and physical condition

- Eyesight

- Hearing

- Substance abuse/alcohol misuse

- Physical examination

of 69

DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements (cont’d)

● Age● Ability to perform simple math● Knowledge of English● Operating skills/experience (5 years)● Driver’s licensing

- Valid driver’s license or CDL

- Original BMV report issued within 10 days and every six months thereafter

of 69



● BMV report suggested criteria

- No OMVI or similar

- No reckless driving, railroad crossing violations, or leaving the scene of an accident violations

- No more than 2 moving violations or accidents within the last three years

of 69



● BMV report suggested criteria (cont’d)

- No suspended or revoked license within past 10 years

- No combination of violations that indicate a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation

● Criminal records check

- No felony conviction

- No crimes of violence

of 69



● Criminal records check (cont’d)

- No drug use or sale

- No physical abuse

- No fraud or theft

- No child endangerment

- No pattern of unlawful behavior

♦ Previous employment notification

of 69


♦ Reasonable knowledge of service area♦ Ability to read basic maps♦ Road test♦ Written driving skills test

of 69

WHY TRAIN?

♦ Reduces your system’s risk of serious repercussions♦ Improves quality of service to passengers♦ Provides opportunity to:

● Acknowledge safety-sensitive and customer service responsibilities

● Review and discuss responsibilities● Answer questions and clarify misunderstandings● Assist employees in honing their safety skills● Allows employees to share their experience(s)

♦ Provides management with opportunityto assess employee skills

of 69

TRAINING

♦ Conducted on a continual basis to ensure knowledge● Initial and refresher● System procedures● Techniques

of 69

DEVELOPING A QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAM

♦ Evaluate needs of each position♦ Outline job-specific training plans♦ Assess availability and expertise of training staff♦ Develop goals, objectives, and competency testing♦ Identify needed resources♦ Implement training♦ Document♦ Re-evaluate and revise

of 69

INITIAL TRAINING

The following is based on ODOT requirements – other funding agencies might have more stringent requirements

♦Policy and procedures manual♦Personnel policy manual♦Scheduling♦Radio/communication protocol♦Office/paperwork requirements

of 69

INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Drug and alcohol program (ODOT requires within 30 days of hire)

♦ Bloodborne pathogens - OSHA 437-02-1910, 1030● Policy● Training (ODOT requires within 6 months of hire)

- Annually

- Upon change and/or addition of new procedures or exposures

- Knowledgeable trainer

of 69


♦ Pre- and post-trip inspection♦ Vehicle familiarization♦ Basic operations and maneuvering♦ Defensive driving (ODOT requires within 6 months of

hire)● Special driving conditions● Backing● Intersections● Lane changes and turning● Railroad crossings

of 69


● Following distance● Bad weather

♦ Boarding and alighting passengers♦ Passenger assistance (DRIVE) training (ODOT

requires within 6 months of hire)● Lift operations● Ramps● Proper securement techniques● Sensitivity training

of 69


♦ Federal requirements (ADA)♦ Emergency procedures

● Contact information

♦ Emergency evacuations♦ First aid/CPR (ODOT requires within 6 months of

hire)

of 69

ON-GOING TRAINING

♦ Annual – suggested● CPR● System safety/safe driving● Evacuation/emergency procedures● System security including NIMS● Agency policy and procedures● Any new rules and regulations● Drug and alcohol awareness

of 69

ON-GOING TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Bi-annual – suggested● Defensive driving● Bloodborne pathogens● Security awareness● DRIVE/PASS program

♦ Tri-annual – suggested● First aid● Diversity awareness● Sexual harassment● Drug and alcohol policy● Reasonable suspicion (supervisors)

of 69

TRAINING DOCUMENTATION

♦ Personnel file♦ Work eligibility file♦ Payroll♦ Medical♦ Training and credential files♦ Drug and alcohol records♦ Accident file

of 69

EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION

♦ Ridechecks – ghost riders● Unannounced● Periodic● Documented

♦ Formal annual evaluations♦ Employee commendations response♦ Safety-related complaint response♦ Fitness for duty♦ Health risks♦ Diabetes

of 69

EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION (CONT’D)

♦ Fatigue♦ Rx/OTC medications♦ Older drivers♦ Wellness programs♦ Periodic motor vehicle record checks♦ Annual physical examination recommended♦ Safety meetings♦ Seatbelt usage

of 69

EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION (CONT’D)

♦ Discipline/recognition● Violations resulting in termination● Violations subject to disciplinary action

of 69

PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS/INJURIES

♦ Disciplinary action♦ Grievance procedure♦ Employee responsibility for reporting

of 69

EMERGENCY DRIVING PROCEDURES

♦ Driver preparation● Identify potential risks

- Weather forecast

- Road condition, construction zones, lane width

- Traffic volume

- Volume of passengers

- Passenger characteristics and special needs

♦ Accident causes● Mechanical defect – 3%● Condition of street or highway – 12%● Human failure or error – 85%

of 69

PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS

♦ Backing accidents♦ Intersection accidents♦ Pedestrian accidents♦ Rear-end collisions♦ Traffic lane encroachment accidents♦ Accidents resulting from mechanical conditions♦ Accidents with parked vehicles♦ Collisions with stationary objects

of 69

PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Unattended vehicle accidents♦ Adverse weather condition accidents♦ Passenger activities

of 69

SITUATIONS REQUIRING DRIVER ADJUSTMENTS

♦ Slippery road surfaces♦ Driving in very hot weather♦ Driving at night♦ Driving through water♦ Winter driving

● Special techniques for driving on ice and snow

- Glare

- Traction

- Braking

- Hills

of 69

SITUATIONS REQUIRING DRIVER ADJUSTMENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Winter driving (cont’d)● Special techniques for driving on ice and snow (cont’d)

- Skids

- Stuck

- Snow and ice removal

- Precautions

- Tire inflation

- Defensive driving

- Gas tank at least half full

of 69

VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS AND UNAVOIDABLE STOPS

♦ Remove the vehicle from hazardous situations♦ Assess the scene♦ Secure vehicle♦ Engage flashers/position reflectors♦ Notify dispatcher of location and problem♦ Keep passengers safe, evacuate if necessary♦ Document

of 69

VEHICLE FIRE/EVACUATION

♦ Pull up to a safe location, stop, and shut off engine♦ Contact dispatcher♦ Open all exits♦ Evacuate passengers (upwind of vehicle)♦ Stay calm♦ Use fire extinguisher appropriately

of 69

FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE

♦ Use to put out small fires♦ First line of defense in evacuating passengers♦ Drivers should never attempt to extinguish a fire

unless:● All passengers have been evacuated● The fire is small and contained within the ignition

point● The driver can attack the fire with an exit to their back

and upwind of the fire

of 69

HOLD UP/ROBBERY

♦ Keep calm♦ Note description♦ Notify dispatcher as soon as possible following theft♦ Call police♦ Document

of 69

NATURAL DISASTERS

♦ Tornado● Do not try to outrun a tornado● Exit vehicle, seek shelter

♦ Flood● Never attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges● Move to higher ground● Be cautions of driving at night when flood damages are

harder to see● Do not try to walk through fast-moving water – even six

inches of fast-moving water can knock a person off his/her feet

of 69

PASSENGER SAFETY

♦ Passenger behavior rules♦ Seatbelt use♦ Child safety seats♦ Mobility device securement♦ Passenger restraint system♦ Difficult passengers♦ Medical condition♦ First aid♦ Bloodborne pathogen/infection control

of 69

PASSENGER ILLNESS OR INJURY

♦ Remove vehicle from traffic flow – engage flashers – turn off engine

♦ Assess the situation♦ Contact the dispatcher – notify of location and situation♦ Perform first aid/CPR, if necessary, until responders arrive♦ Remain calm♦ Assist responders as required♦ Address concerns of other passengers♦ Document

of 69

WHEN TO EVACUATE

♦ Evacuate any time danger of staying on board is greater than the danger of having passengers off the vehicle

♦ Evacuation is typically appropriate in the following situations:

● Vehicle is in a dangerous situation and cannot be moved● Fire or smoke is present● Leaking fuel coming from underneath the vehicle● Security threat

♦ Follow defined protocols for evacuation

of 69

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

♦ Follow recommended inspection and maintenance operations

● Daily servicing needs● Periodic inspection

- Vehicle pre- and post-trip inspections

- Defect reports● Interval related maintenance● Breakdown maintenance

of 69

PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS

♦ Lights and reflectors♦ Brakes♦ Horn♦ Windshield wipers, washer, defroster♦ Mirrors♦ Tires♦ Speedometer♦ Seatbelts♦ Doors♦ Fluids

of 69

PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Emergency equipment♦ Cleanliness♦ Back up alarm♦ Wheelchair lifts

of 69

COMMUNICATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY

♦ Vehicle communications● Cell phones● Two-way radios● CB radios

♦ Communication protocols♦ Emergency response checklists

of 69

ONBOARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT

♦ Working ABC fire extinguisher (5 lb. recommended)♦ Web cutters♦ First aid kit♦ Biohazard kit♦ Warning triangles♦ Blankets♦ Cell phone/two-way radio♦ Emergency contact telephone numbers♦ Jack handle for manual wheelchair lift

operation

of 69

ONBOARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT (CONT’D)

♦ Working flashlight♦ Securement belt extender♦ Quick reference guide♦ Spare tire♦ Jack and lug wrench♦ Reflective vest

of 69

VEHICLE PROCUREMENT

♦ Exterior♦ Visibility♦ Interior

of 69

VEHICLE SAFETY AT TRANSIT FACILITY

♦ Set maximum speed♦ Designated parking spaces♦ Traffic flow pattern should emphasize “pull through”♦ Establish backing rules♦ Rules for unattended vehicle

of 69

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

♦ Bloodborne pathogens● Exposure control plan

♦ OSHA requirements (Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations)

● Basic design deficiencies● Inherent hazards● Malfunctions● Maintenance hazards● Environmental hazards● Human factors

of 69

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Periodic walkthroughs♦ Hazardous material inventory♦ Fire safety

● Extinguisher maintenance● Smoke detectors

♦ Hazardous material storage♦ Written hazardous communication program♦ Labeling of hazardous chemicals♦ Material safety data sheets

of 69

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Underground storage tanks♦ Employee information and training

of 69

ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT

♦ Accident documentation packet● Driver report forms● Witness/courtesy cards● Pens or pencils

♦ 35 millimeter camera

of 69

ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES – ALL ACCIDENTS

♦ Secure the vehicle♦ Assess the situation and evacuate the vehicle if necessary♦ Contact the dispatcher with location and injury

assessment♦ Assist injured passengers♦ Document

● Name of responders● Facts of accident● Witness/courtesy cards

of 69

ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES – ALL ACCIDENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Cooperate with law enforcement● Do not discuss with anyone except law enforcement

and insurance● Do not accept blame or accuse other parties

♦ Never leave the scene unless directed to do so by law enforcement or emergency medical personnel

♦ Administer post-accident drug and alcohol tests, if thresholds are met

of 69

COORDINATE WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

♦ Effective emergency response must be planned♦ Intra/interagency cooperation, coordination, and

communication● Law enforcement● Fire department● Emergency medical services

♦ Drills, simulations, and exercises

of 69

WHAT DO FIRST RESPONDERS NEED TO KNOW

♦ Vehicle and facility entries – windows, doors, and hatches

♦ Hazardous materials♦ Facility escape routes and safety zones♦ Equipment shutdowns♦ Battery cut-off switches♦ Appropriate transit vehicle breach zones♦ Communications capabilities♦ Special needs, limitations of passengers

of 69

MEDIA RELATIONS AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION

♦ Designate a community relations representative♦ Advise drivers on how to properly respond

of 69

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

♦ Manage the accident scene♦ Gather information

● Physical evidence● Taking photos● Accident sketching● Witnesses● Documentation

♦ Analyze for causes and contributing factors♦ Recommend/implement corrective actions♦ Follow-up and monitor

of 69

INSURANCE CLAIMS AND LITIGATION MANAGEMENT

♦ Dealing with adjusters♦ Dealing with attorneys

● All interaction should go through the Executive Director – only authorized individuals should speak with the attorney

● All requests for documentation should be directed to the Executive Director

of 69

RECORDKEEPING

♦ Best defense in litigation♦ Records

● Training logs● Applicant authorization to release information● Acknowledgement of drug and alcohol policy● Refusal of treatment or transport● Acknowledgement of company policy and procedures

handbook

Page 1 of 69 Transit System Safety Program Workshop Ohio Department of Transportation August 14th,...

Documents

Transcript of Page 1 of 69 Transit System Safety Program Workshop Ohio Department of Transportation August 14th,...