SAFETY
COMPANY POLICY
Proficient Auto Transport will not perform a service, transport a vehicle, or use a product unless it is in a safe environment. Management is committed to providing a safe workplace, proper safety equipment, and a work environment that fosters safe work practices. The Company requires all employees to perform their duties safely and to be cognizant of safety practices for their fellow employees.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Reduce the risk of an accident by…
- Wearing non-slip, comfortable shoes to minimize slipping on the asphalt and equipment surfaces. No sandals, flip-flops, or cowboy boots.
- Eliminating loose fitting clothing – it can get caught in the machinery.
- Wearing work gloves while working on the truck, trailer, or anywhere outside the cars you are loading.
- Wearing attire that is “scratch free” – No jewelry, watches, belt buckles, rings, exposed zippers, or metal buttons.
- Ensuring that your clothes are free of oil and grease.
- Not carrying sharp objects that could accidentally damage the vehicles in one’s pockets.
No drugs or alcohol are allowed on the job at any time.
All employees are encouraged to report unsafe practices and conditions.
Safety is a condition of employment. Each employee must assume responsibility for working safely.
SAFETY DURING LOADING AND UNLOADING
- Use proper lifting and tie down techniques.
- Keep both feet on the ground when moving hydraulic surfaces.
- YOU MUST PIN ALL DECKS.
- Utilize ladders instead of climbing.
- Load as many vehicles as possible from lower position
- Avoid walking down ramps.
- Maintain three (3) points contact when getting in/out of cab.
- Maintain stability through secure handholds, proper foot placement, and proper weight transfer.
- No one is allowed to stand on any deck when a vehicle is moving.
SAFETY DURING DRIVING
Drive in a manner that prevents accidents. If you find your truck in a situation it should not be in, STOP! Call the police and ask them to assist you from the area.
Handheld cell phone use is ILLEGAL while operating a commercial vehicle. This applies when a vehicle is temporarily stopped on the highway for traffic, while waiting at a stoplight, stop sign or other traffic control device. Fines/penalties can be severe… up to $2,750 to the driver and up to $11,000 to the company who employees the violating driver.
Be A Defensive Driver
Make allowances for other driver’s lack of skill, knowledge, and poor attitudes. Recognize that you have no control over actions of other drivers or pedestrians. Recognize that you have no control over weather and road conditions.
Do Not Tailgate
This is the main cause of accidents. Driver must ANTICIPATE AND COMPENSATE for additional stopping distances.
Following Distance
In auto hauling, you should use the eight (8) second rule. Keep enough space between you and vehicle in front of you to allow eight (8) seconds to elapse.
Stopping Distance
You should be able to see the tires on the pavement of the vehicle in front of you.
Eye Lead Time
In the city, eye lead-time maybe only a couple of blocks. On an open road, it’s 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 mile.
HOW TO DETERMINE STOPPING DISTANCE
Total stopping distance is the distance your vehicle travels from the time you see a hazard and press on the brake until the vehicle stops.
Perception Distance
The distance a vehicle travels while a driver is identifying, predicting, and deciding to slow down for a hazard.
Reaction Time
The time it takes for a driver to execute a decision once a danger is recognized. The distance your vehicle travels while you react is called a reaction distance.
Braking Time
The distance a vehicle travels from the time a driver begins pressing on the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop.
Brake Lag
In addition to perception distance, reaction time and braking distance, trucks have one additional factor – brake lag. Semi-trucks have different brakes than regular passenger vehicles. Most passenger vehicles on the road have hydraulic brakes, which are liquid, faster and more instantaneous. Semi-trucks have air brakes, which have a lag time.
Turning Point
- Spot on the truck where you start the turn
- On a stinger it is the red marker light at reat of tractor near the 5th wheel area.
- To keep from strijing the reference point
- Must match the turning point with the reference point.
- Minimum of 4-5 feet of space between truck and reference point.
Button Hook Turn
- How to get the tractor back into the right-hand lane... should be as quickly as possible
Tail Swing
- Portion of the trailer behind trailer tires that will swing out beyond the path of tires while making the turn.
- Amount of tail swing
- Normal turn: 2-3 feet
- Hard (jack knife type) turn: ~4 feet
- When fully loaded, a hard turn may require up to 6 feet of space
Safe Backing
Don’t do it unless necessary!
If you must…
- Always turn on your four-ways.
- Use both rear-view mirrors. Do not depend entirely on your mirrors. ➢ Back out of traffic, NOT into it.
- Never back around a corner.
- Never open your door.
- Back slowly.
- Make your presence known.
- Determine the space you are backing into.
- Get Out and Look (G.O.A.L.)
- Pace off the distance between the rear most portion of trailer (or overhang vehicle) to the end of the space to back into.
- Reduce the distance by 1 or 2 paces.
- Place an object on the ground.
- Back your truck (slowly) until the driver’s door is even to your object on the ground.
- Use a spotter if one is available.
- If you do not understand or if you doubt your spotter… G.O.A.L.!!
- The driver is never relieved of his responsibilities to back safely.
- Backing accidents account for more than 1/3 of all truck accidents.
