Driving Safety at Wind Farms Subhead White Arial Regular 28 pt

Driving Safety Statistics –Someone is injured every 18 seconds –Over 2 million injuries annually are disabling –A person dies in a crash every 11 minutes –Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of death –1 in 4 fatal work injuries involves a vehicle accident

Seat Belts –Saved over 100,000 lives –Prevent crashing into steering wheel, dash, or windshield –Keep you inside vehicle –Protect body organs –Improve chance of remaining conscious –Keep you behind the wheel if you have to swerve or brake suddenly

Phone Use While Driving Check local laws for Cell phone use while driving Pull over to talk, text or on the phone

Vehicle Parking Always park into the wind when feasibly possible Use a spotter when backing into tight spaces Do a “walk around” before leaving a parking spot

Vehicle Maintenance –Regular tune-ups –Oil changes –Fluid levels –Brakes –Tire treads and pressure –Lights, signals, and wipers

Vehicle Inspection Perform a monthly vehicle inspection on all company vehicles

Pre-Drive Inspection –Walk around inspection –Tires –Leaks under vehicle –Windows clean, nothing blocking vision –Mirrors properly adjusted –Lights working properly

Emergency Equipment ̶ Pen and paper ̶ First aid supplies ̶ Jumper cables ̶ Camera ̶ Flares, flags, place cards ̶ Jack, wrench, spare tire ̶ Fire extinguisher ̶ Tire chains (where applicable) When conducting maintenance inspection check to make sure all equipment for an emergency is in the vehicle.

Driving Hazards: ID Test Identify three driving hazards caused by human error Reckless driving Distracted driving Fatigue Aggressive driving Vehicles in poor operating condition Driving under the influence

Driving Hazards: ID Test (cont.) Identify three driving hazards caused by dangerous conditions Bad weather Difficult road conditions Poor light or glare Heavy traffic Road work Accidents

Driving Hazards: Dangerous Conditions –Bad weather –Difficult road conditions –Poor light or glare –Heavy traffic –Road work –Accidents

Site Road Conditions Rain+ Dirt = Muddy Gravel Unplowed Snow Dusty Road Conditions

Carrying a Load? –Don’t overload your vehicle –Make sure everyone has a seat and a seat belt –Make sure cargo is properly secured –Be certain your vision is not blocked

Driving Hazards Do you understand the variety of driving hazards you could face on the road?

Avoid Collisions –Head-on collisions –Hit from behind –Hitting the driver in front –Side collisions

Obey Traffic Rules And Use Common Sense –Speed limits –Traffic signs and signals –Follow the 2-second rule –Signal your intentions –Pass with care and only where allowed

Keep Alert and Be Prepared –Keep your mind on your driving and your hands on the wheel –Scan the road ahead for problems –Check mirrors frequently –Expect the unexpected –Yield to other drivers who are determined to get there first

Adjust to Weather And Road Conditions –Slow down –Turn on lights and wipers –Increase following distance to 4 seconds –Avoid puddles –Beware of misty rain after a dry spell –Be prepared to handle a skid safely –Beware of icy patches

Be Extra Careful at Night –Keep windshield clean to improve vision –Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset –Increase following distance to 4 seconds –Be extra careful on curves and at intersections –Switch from high to low beams to keep from blinding other drivers –If you have trouble, pull completely off the road and use flashers

Watch Out for Fatigue –Be especially careful during late night, early morning, and mid-afternoon hours –Stop, take a nap, and drink coffee if you’re tired –Stop every so often over long distances –Avoid medications that cause drowsiness

Keep Cool in Traffic –Keep your emotions in check –Take steps to stay relaxed no matter what –Allow enough time to get there –Don’t provoke other drivers –Report aggressive drivers to the police

Don’t Drink or Take Drugs and Drive Alcohol and drugs impair: –Ability to determine distances –Reaction time –Judgment –Vision Remember: –Only time, not coffee, will sober you up –Ride with a designated driver

If You’re Involved In an Accident Contact the police. Do not leave the scene. Exchange important information. –Take Photos Vehicle Damage Scene Layout Report accident to your Manager.

Defensive Driving Techniques You should keep 2 to 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front. If you go into a skid, turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the skid. If you’ve had too much to drink, a couple of cups of coffee will sober you up. Many drowsy driving accidents occur in mid-afternoon hours. True or False

Defensive Driving Techniques –Do you understand the information about defensive driving techniques?

Key Points to Remember –Know the driving hazards you can face on the road –Maintain your vehicle in good condition –Always wear a seat belt –Follow traffic rules and obey signs and signals –Be a safe and defensive driver every day –Know how to respond to an accident

Loading Vehicle with Hoist Drive the truck to the hoist hook Hook up the load After load begins to lift drive and park vehicle at least 50 feet away from the turbine base

Remote Access Never Travel on site without the ability to communicate with someone off-site, especially in the winter During winter months carry extra water, blankets, shovel, and salt

Opening/Closing Gates When opening gates have the driver pull far enough forward so any vehicle following can make it through the gate Gates should be left how you found them

Towing Safety

Vehicle Requirements for Towing Some vehicles require additional equipment for towing: –Engine of adequate power –Auxiliary transmission cooling –Heavy-duty engine cooling –Transmission designed to tow heavy loads. –Vehicle with adequate GCWR for trailer/load weight. –Correct axle gear ratio –½ ton rated axles at a minimum –Heavy duty brakes in excellent condition/electric trailer brakes –Rated suspension. Leaf spring overloads may be needed –Vehicle hitch adequate for load being towed. –Vehicle wired with electrical trailer plug

Know the Vehicles GVWR & GCWR GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating –Is the maximum operating weight/mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo but excluding that of any trailers. GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating –Is the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination (articulated) motor vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, GCWR will be determined by adding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit and any load thereon. If the tow vehicle weighs 7500lbs with a maximum GCWR of 15,000lbs and the trailer you are hauling weighs 3000lbs, then the maximum load you can put on that trailer is 4500lbs or you will exceed the GCWR

Axle ratio Rule of thumb: The heavier the load you’re towing, the higher the axle ratio you will need. Always consult with the vehicle manufacture for details on the proper axle ratio! If the load being hauled is 5,000 lbs. the manufacture may say a 3.73:1 axle ratio may be sufficient. If the load being hauled is 10,000 lbs. then the manufacture may say a 4.10:1 axle ratio will be required.

Hitches Trailer applications generally use hitches that mount directly to the tow vehicles frame. –All hitches come with both a class rating and weight rating. NOTE: A Direct connected bumper hitch shall never be used. –There are two basic types of hitches used in trailer towing. 5 th wheel/Goose Neck Hitch Receiver hitch

Receiver Hitches Ensure the vehicle has the correct rated receiver hitch for the weight being pulled. –Class I —Up to 2,000 pounds towing capacity, 200 to 250 pounds tongue weight –Class II— Up to 3,500 pounds towing capacity, 250 to 350 pounds tongue weight –Class III— Up to 6,000 pounds towing capacity, 350 to 600 pounds tongue weight –Class IV— Up to 10,000 pounds towing capacity, 600 to 1,000 pounds tongue weight –Class V— Up to 25,000 pounds towing capacity, fifth wheel/gooseneck The Receiver hitch must be properly installed by a professional (dealership/manufacture) The receiver hitch must be inspected prior to use, ensure all bolts and nuts are tight, check by hand. Direct bumper mounted ball hitches are prohibited!

Ball Size, Trailer Connection Ensure the hitch ball size is the correct size per the trailer being used. Ensure the ball latch is closed correctly and a safety pin is used to prevent accidental disconnection. Ensure the trailer safety chains are connected to the receiver hitch/goose neck hitch of the vehicle.

Trailer Lights & Brakes Ensure the trailer has properly wired lighting which includes clearance lights, brake lights, turn signals, running lights, and license plate lights. Ensure the vehicle being used for pulling the trailer is wired correctly for the trailer lights. Always check the trailer lights before driving the vehicle/trailer. Some trailers capable of higher weight ratings will be equipped with electric drum brakes. This will require the vehicle to be wired with a factory or aftermarket trailer brake controller. If equipped with electric trailer brakes, ensure the “brake away” cable is attached to the vehicle. This ensures the trailer brakes will activate if the trailer disconnects from the vehicle.

DOT Weight/Vehicle Restrictions Know your DOT weight restrictions and State DOT restrictions before towing any load! Contact your state highway department for additional details. Never overload your vehicle/trailer combination per DOT regulations, this could result in an accident or serious fines.