The trucking industry is responsible for shipping goods and ensuring that the masses have the supplies they need. And it’s prudent that this essential industry is safe for the drivers, those they share the road with, and the cargo they transport. For this reason, we’d like to share a few ideas that can help you understand how improving safety can make a difference for truckers and the companies they work with.
Vet and Hire Drivers Carefully
When searching for the best methods of improving safety in the trucking industry, it’s wise to remember that it all starts with the hiring process. Think about it: the candidates you’ll add to your payroll will be responsible for driving an enormous vehicle over long distances with valuable cargo in tow.
So, doing your due diligence is imperative when interviewing and hiring new drivers. First, you’ll want to ensure that each driver has proof of ID and the proper licensing to drive a freight truck. Next, you’ll want to perform thorough background checks and assess their driving history to ensure they’ll operate your trucks with care.
You might also consider running drug or alcohol tests as an extra precautionary measure. In any case, taking additional steps to hire the best people for the job is essential to the safety of your facility and the trucking industry as a whole.
Conduct Monthly Safety Training
Being diligent in the hiring process is only half the battle. To truly emphasize the importance of safety, monthly training and continuing education courses are crucial. Having your employees gather once a month to stay updated on safety procedures empowers them to make informed decisions about their safety.
It also allows you to refresh your drivers on pertinent policies or guidelines. Plus, it gives your employees the chance to ask you questions and clarify procedures, maintenance schedules, and the like. As a result, drivers have the tools to become better at their jobs and remain safe during their trips.
Don’t Skip Pre-Trip Inspections and Preventative Maintenance
Of course, the importance of pre-trip truck inspections and other preventative maintenance cannot be overstated. To start, pre-trip inspections are one of the only ways to ensure that your trucks are in excellent shape and ready for the road. From a missing bolt to a faulty engine, these inspections can catch numerous safety issues with a vehicle before your driver ever gets behind the wheel.
Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, engine flushes, and even tire rotations, is also a crucial method of improving safety in the trucking industry. Ensuring that each of your vehicles is safe and ready for the road will help your drivers avoid preventable accidents and other hazards they might encounter on a trip.
Truckers are responsible for driving massive vehicles, often across long distances. So, it’s imperative to ensure that the trucking industry does all that it can to keep its employees and those sharing the road with them out of harm’s way. And hopefully, this quick guide provides you with some simple and effective methods that can help make this crucial industry safer for all.