What is SAFETY??Posted by Kevin Snobel at 06:58 AM
In our industry that is legislated to death, ticketed to death, regulated to death, DOT, MTO, and other MINISTRIES to Death. How do we really define Safety and what do we really mean by safety?
1) Does Safety mean passing a DOT and MTO inspection and having no vilolations shown on the report?
2) Does Safety mean passing an MTO and or DOT AUDIT ?
3) Does Safety mean running drivers, and ensure they run their hours properly?
4) Does Safety mean Training Drivers on every aspect of their job and retrain all of the time?
5) Does Safety mean Training the dispatchers on the same prinicpals we train drivers on ?
6) Does Safety mean we train warehouse personnel, on Safety issues?
7) Does Safety mean we educate our Managers and Owners to ensure the company has a Safe Operating Mentality?
8) Does Safety mean we treat all drivers exactly the same when disciplining them for violations?
9) Does Safety mean we listen to the Insurance Companies and what they have to teach us?
10) Does Safety mean we as a company did our DUE DILIGENCE every step of the way?
11) Does Safety mean we joined a Safety Group and learnt from our PEERS?
12) Does Safety mean we taught our shippers and consginees how to be BETTER when tendering freight to us?
13) Does Safety mean LEARN, TEACH, EDUCATE, AND SHARE THE RESPONSIBLITY!
To all of the above, I SAY YES! WHAT IS SAFETY? IS A LIST THAT COULD GO ON FOREVER, BUT THE MAIN POINTS ARE WHAT IT TAKES ALL OF US IN TRUCK TRANSPORTATION, TO OPERATE SAFELY, WISELY ECONOMICALLY, AND ENSURE WE ALL ARRIVE HOME TO DO THE SAME THING TOMORROW. LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO ENUSRE THE ECONOMY, THE INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNMENT, THE APPLICABLE AUTHORITY(S), ALL WORK TOGETHER, HAVE OPEN DIALOGUE TOGETHER, CUT DOWN ON ACCIDENTS, CUT DOWN ON LOST WORK TIME, CUT DOWN ON TICKETS, CUT DOWN ON VIOLATIONS, AND OPERATE PROFESSIONALLY
Comments
"THE AUTHORITIES, THE GOUVERNMENT"....WORKING TOGETHER? NOW THERE'S A CONCEPT. I CANT COUNT HOW MANY TIMES THEY HAVE WORKED AGAINST US, EVEN WHEN WE AS MANAGERS "LEARN, EDUCATE AND SHARE THE RESPONSIBILTY" TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND EXCEED WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE GOUVERNMENTS OR AUTHORITIES EYES. HERE IS 1 EXAMPLE: OUR DRIVER IS AT A ROUTINE INSPECTION AT A SCALE IN MILTON, 3 OFFICERS TAKE 1.5 HOURS TO INSPECT OUR EQUIPMENT AND ALL DOCUMENTATION, THE OFFICERS DO NOT FIND 1 DEFECT. ON THE LAST MINUTE, 1 OFFICER ASKS FOR THE DRIVERS DANGEROUS GOOD CARD. THE OFFICER LOOKS IT OVER AND ISSUES A $305.00 FINE BECAUSE THE LAST NUMBERS OF THE EXPIRY DATE WHERE NOT CLEAR? INSTEAD OF TELLING THE DRIVER THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB TO ENSURE YOUR EQUIPMENT AND OUR ROADS ARE A SAFER PLACE, THEY COME UP WITH THIS. MAYBE A WARNING WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN A NICE GESTURE TO A GREAT JOB IN THE SAFETY OF THE EQUIPMENT.
Posted by: Margaret Hogg | January 8, 2009 09:38 AM
Maybe its time for an ombudsman for this industry. There seems to be too much of these bully tactics by enforcement
Posted by: Frank Collins | January 23, 2009 07:52 AM
Safety must be recognized as a condition of efficiency. It is a fundamental parameter for logical business practice and cannot be considered a seperate function which may be chosen or ignored! Reality and logical thinking should dictate; it just does not make economic sense to operate in a fashion that does not include safety!
Our industry has many leaders of great worth. They understand the risk involved in practising disregard for regulation but even more importantly, they conduct business based on their moral integrity. Their pursuit of good business creates a sound, desirable commercial environment. Unfortunately we have do have "others" in need of attention from regulators and enforcers on a continuous basis. They can create a perception of lawlessness within the industry which unfortunately has residual effects on the good carriers (evidence to be found amongst enforcement and the GP). Over the years and through the development of current road "transportology" we have tried to create a level playing field however we have experienced mixed results! The concept of transport regulation isn't new! Unfortunately some operators chose to and even currently choose to ignore them! Perhaps this uncertain economic time in our history will assist in promoting those operators choosing to follow the rules to the success they deserve! Meantime, safety will always be integral to efficiency!
Posted by: Dave Raynsford | January 29, 2009 03:52 PM