NFIB

Six Ways to Keep Employees Safe on the Road
03/ 28/ 2002

Many small businesses depend on their employees' use of vehicles to make deliveries, repairs or installations. With employees in vehicles, your business has a liability. In today's Workshop Jeffrey Moses provides six safety guidelines to pass along to drivers that can help prevent accidents and other mishaps.

1. Drivers should always remember to keep their attention on the road, even if they are looking for house numbers or other signs. If they're having trouble finding the location, drivers should pull off the road to look, rather than looking while continuing to drive.

2. Inspect vehicles regularly to maintain safe operations. Check headlights, brakes, back-up lights, flashing warning lights (which should be used when stopping next to roadways), tires (traction should be appropriate to environment and season), transmission, clutch and doors and trunk latches.

3. Never leave a vehicle running while making a delivery or while away for any length of time. Beyond the risk of theft, the vehicle could be knocked out of gear.

4. Proper footwear should be worn while making deliveries or maintenance calls. Shoes or boots should provide good traction in wet or snowy weather, and hard-toed boots will provide protection against dropped objects.

5. A flashlight or spotlight should always be available in vehicles for use at night.

6. Have dispatch or phone operators keep accurate information on a drivers' destination to help maintain safety.

Small Business Sound Off
Does this story hit home?  Share your story with us