by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 6, 2016 | BLOG
The worst mistake a safety professional can make and the number one reason drivers loathe the Safety Director is you always assume your drivers at fault.
Wielding influence is much more powerful than authority. Trying to intimidate your drivers with your authority will take you on the fast road to failure. Instead, build your relationship with the drivers through goodwill, influence via mentoring and fostering good working relationships. Get them to understand your not the enemy, but have a job to do. If you treat your drivers with respect, they’ll treat you with respect.
Your team is not comprised of just “you”. It’s a team of “us” that work together for the common goal. You are just a part of a team. Your team needs to know that you have their back and they can count on you for support.
As a Safety Director your position lays out the plans, establishes goals, directs and motivates your team to success. Your drivers and safety teams input is crucial to the success of your program. Listen intently to their ideas. Do not exhibit the “I know it all” approach but enlist your drivers and safety team to become one unit.
Don’t be the invisible Safety Director who always has a task to complete in the office. Have a healthy balance of being in the field and being in the office. Spend time where necessary in order to reach your goals and complete your tasks. Get to know your drivers.
~ Safety First Always ~
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 4, 2016 | BLOG
HIGH VISIBILITY
BY : Shiloh Schmidt Corporate Health and Safety
Often when I speak to workers I’m asked “why do I have to wear a safety vest?” the obvious answer is that wearing a high-vis vest improves safety. It allows you to be seen at night and from further distances away. It also reduces the risk of you being seriously injured by a passing vehicle. Not only is this most company’s policy, but IT’S ALSO THE LAW!!
The Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulation section 12.13 includes a provision to protect those working around moving vehicles. The regulation states “Where an employee is regularly exposed to contact with moving vehicles during their work, they must wear a high-visibility vest or other similar clothing, or be protected by a barricade that is readily visible under all conditions of use”. This includes contact with moving vehicles outside and inside of buildings.
Be sure to have your high visibility vest on when working around moving vehicles in warehouses, customer facilities, truck stops and roadways. Let’s all follow the law and practice safe behaviors.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jun 26, 2016 | BLOG
All vehicles traveling on the road have blind spots where other vehicles disappear from view. In tractor trailers and other large vehicles these blind spots can be surprisingly big. There are blind spots on all sides of a large truck where other vehicles can disappear from the view of the driver. If a professional truck driver has to make a sudden maneuver on the road, such as a quick lane change to avoid debris etc , crashes can occur if they don’t know you’re there.
Here’s what to do to avoid a truck’s blind spots:
Don’t linger along side a truck. If you find yourself along side a truck either move on past or back off so that the driver can see you.
If possible pass on the left where the blind spot is smaller. On the right the blind spot runs the length of the truck and extends out 3 lanes.
When traveling behind a truck stay back so that the driver knows you’re there.
” If you can’t see a trucks Mirrors, they can’t see You ! ”
