Defensive Driving Presentation Defensive Driving Presentation (Construction Vehicle Hazards)

Defensive Driving AGENDA  Introduction/Statistics Company’s Driver Safety Performance  Construction Vehicle Hazards  Safety Videos  15 Driver Safety Tips (handout)

General Discussion WHY DRIVER TRAINING?  Driving is something we all do daily.  It’s the most dangerous thing we do, and is the number one killer of those under 50 years of age.  It’s responsible for over 50% of all work-related fatalities.

General Discussion Statistics Nationwide: – 40,000 people die each year! –115 drivers go to work today will never return! Missouri: –180,000 Collisions:  90,000 Injuries  1,100 Fatalities

General Discussion Continuation  Missouri Statistics: Leading cause of death in ages 5-34 Results: One injury every 6 minutes Results: One death every 7 hours

General Discussion Continuation  Alcohol /Drug Related Collisions Injuries Recorded : –7,000 people were injured –260 people were killed –Estimated Cost of 4 billion dollars

General Discussion Why Accidents Occur?  Most frequent causes of accidents Inattention to detail Speeding DWI/DUI Driving too fast for conditions Failed to yield

Driver Safety Accountability Drivers & Operators are responsible for safe operation of company vehicle & equip! –Company’s name rides with you wherever you go! –Company driver’s & truck becomes advertisement that can build good will and respect for your company.

Safety Performance

Continuation

Vehicle Hazards Construction Operations/Environment

Construction Vehicle Hazards Three (3) Basic Hazard types: –Operating Hazards –Parking Hazards –Maintenance Hazards

Operating Hazards  Types: Rollovers Striking workers/pedestrians Striking Overhead Objects (Inadequate clearance)

Operating Hazards 1) Rollovers (causes): – Exceeding the Load Limits – Inadequate loading methods. –Operating too fast for conditions!

Operating Hazards  2) Striking workers/pedestrian on foot: Inadequate brakes Malfunctioning back-up alarms Op. neglects to check blind spot Improperly barricade areas from pedestrian access

Operating Hazards  3) Striking overhead objects (causes): Inadequate clearances –Knocking down overhead wires and tree branches –Cab potentially becomes energized when vehicle /equipment hits overhead wires (shock hazards)!

Prevention Techniques Best management practices/strategies!

Prevention Techniques  Strategies (General): Use of hard hats & high visibility vests are vital! All drivers must be trained in the safe operation of vehicle & equipment!

Preventing Pedestrian Strikes  Perform regular maintenance! Brakes must be able to stop and hold fully loaded equipment. Verify back-up alarms work! Check for nearby workers before starting machine (Circle of Safety) use mirrors! Make sure glass is not distorted.

Preventing overhead obstructions  Instruct operators to check clearance each time they start vehicle & equipment.  Flag electrical lines to ensure visibility.  Maintain a safe distance from electrical lines!

Parking Hazards  Major Hazard associated with parked construction vehicles? Struck by other vehicles (traffic)  Employee parking should be away from construction work zones!  “Only Operating construction equipment “ is acceptable!

Preventing Parking strikes  Park equipment completely off the road (30 feet from the traffic)  Barricade vehicle and equipment that must stay on the road! Lights and flashers should be used as well.  Set all brakes when vehicles are not in use.

Continuation  Chock the wheels, especially when vehicles are on an incline.  Lower the equipment when parking a construction vehicle/equipment!

Maintenance Hazards  Refueling vehicles and equipment? (if so): Provide training on safe procedures for refueling, maintenance and repair! –Perform lockout/tagout as required –Chock disabled equipment!

Driver Training Lets watch a VIDEO!!!!!

General Discussion Driver Expectations?  Company expects high standards of performance, including safe driving.  Company expects not just safe driving performance, but award winning safety performance. WHY?  Because it’s possible!!

D river S afety Practices (Defensive Driving Safety Tips)

15 in 30 1) Pre-Trip & Post Trip Inspection Take a walk around your vehicle. Windows clean? Lights/signals clean & working. Tires properly inflated / tread wear. Fluid leaks on the ground. Check the level of coolant in radiator Check engine oil, steering fluid and hydraulic fluid.

Continuation  Check the battery  Report any broken or defective equipment  Verify back up alarm is audible!  Make sure steps, catwalks and handholds free from grease, ice and loose materials.  Check belts! Report any frayed,worn or loose belts.

15 in 30 2) Inside the Vehicle  Check Seat Belts  Check Mirrors  Check horn, headlights,blinkers, and emergency flashers & wipers  Verify backup alarm is working  Check fuel gauges

15 in 30 3) Your State Of Mind Mental State:  Stress / Emotions / Attitudes  Drowsiness / Fatigue  Vision / Hearing  Alcohol

Myths about ALCOHOL Myth: Coffee will sober up a drinker. Fact: Coffee only makes a wide awake drunk. Myth: Strenuous exercise will sober up a drinker. Fact: Exercise makes a hot, sticky drunk. Myth: A cold shower will sober up a drinker. Fact: A cold shower only makes a cold, wet drunk. Myth: A cold swim will sober up a drinker. Fact: A cold swim could result in a dead drunk.

The Alcohol Process  When ingested, approximately 5% enters the blood stream directly thru the mouth and throat tissues.  80% is absorbed thru the small intestine after passing thru the stomach.  Alcohol distributes itself to organs with the highest fluid content, concentrating on organs with large blood supplies like the brain and liver.

The Alcohol Process (continued)  Alcohol cannot be stored in tissue, and less than 10% is eliminated by the kidneys, lungs, and skin.  The liver eliminates the other 90% thru the process of oxidation.  The liver can eliminate approximately one drink per hour.

15 in 30 4) Getting the Big Picture Scan the road ahead –City (Approx. 1 block) –Rural (Approx. 1/4 mile) Keep your eyes moving. –Check your mirrors every 5 seconds.

15 in 30 5) Following Distance Speed & Stopping distance are key. Stay 3 to 4 seconds behind. Tailgaters Avoid quick changes. Increase your following distance. Don’t speed up. Avoid tricks. (Control emotions.)

15 in 30 6) Lane Changes  Check to make sure there is enough room.  Signal your intentions.  Check your blind spot and space again.  Make the lane change.  Blind Spots Don’t drive in someone else’s. Make yourself as visible as possible. (*At all times)

15 in 30 7) Avoiding On-the-Job Problems  Entering Job-sites: Check area thoroughly Watch for workers in the area Look for obstacles: – gas meters, phone/power lines, septic systems – Get help backing out of tight spots – Do not drive sideway on hills

15 in 30 8) Right-Of-Way  At an intersection, the vehicle on the right has the right to go first. NO ONE IS GUARANTEED THE RIGHT OF WAY.

15 in 30 9) Backing  Use extreme caution!  Use a helper (spotter) when possible! Consider using hand signals! –Look at your path. –Back slowly. –Back to the driver’s side when possible.

15 in 30 10) Ramps (On / Off)  Obey speed limits posted. –Speed limits designed for autos; larger vehicles need to go slower.  Exits going downhill and turning are particularly dangerous.

15 in 30 11) Signs  Regulatory Signs  Warning Signs

15 in 30 12) Railroad Crossings  The cross buck is found at most public crossings.  These signs should be treated in the same manner as a yield sign.

15 in 30 13) Emergency Vehicles  Immediately move to the right of your lane, to another lane, or to the shoulder if possible.  If moving right is not possible, stay where you are. Do not move left.

15 in 30 14) Winter Driving  IDENTIFYING SLIPPERY SURFACES. Shaded Areas - Shady parts of the road will remain icy and slippery after open areas have melted. Bridges - Bridges freeze before roads do. Melting Ice - Slight melting will make ice wet. Black Ice - If the temperature is below freezing and the road looks wet. Vehicle Ice - Open the window and feel the front of the mirror and antenna. (The road is icing up!)

15 in 30 15) Accident Reporting  Report any accident immediately, no matter how minor.  Get a police report whenever possible.  Complete the vehicle Accident Reporting Kit!