25 Jun TIPS FOR CREATING A FLEET SAFETY HIRING POLICY

Formulating a safety plan is important but building a safety program is vital. We review how to build a safety policy that best fits your company.

“The company would be wise to create a safety policy that is similar to the hiring requirements found in the DOT regulations,” says McClure. “The good news is, they can use these regulations as a guide and create any hiring requirements they feel will fit their particular industry and driver pool.”

Once drivers are hired, the legal requirements are similar. A PMV fleet is not required by DOT to have a policy that meets regulations; while a CMV fleet does require a policy that meets regulations. According to McClure, it’s still smart to have a fleet safety policy to protect the company from potential lawsuits.

For the fleet safety policy to be effective, there needs to be accountability as it is up to the company to decide punitive measures. McClure says repercussions range from one-day suspensions to terminations. In certain cases, the company has kept employees but taken away their driving privileges or moved them into another role.

ELEMENTS OF A SAFETY POLICY

•  – Drug test (non-DOT)
•  – Criminal background check
•  – Motor Vehicle Record for the past three years
•  – Previous employment over the past three years

RECOMMENDED DISQUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• – An annual review for each driver
• – Specific moving violation and accident standards
• – A no texting or talking policy
• – Accident or incident reporting
• – Drug testing that includes random, post-accident or based on suspicion
• – Suspicion Drug Test Training so other employees can help identify suspicious activity among drivers

Read how to create a successful safety program – click here

To learn more about safety programs offered by Fleet Response – click here