Accidents, Cab Security, and PPE
Accident Statistics. I recently read an article, in one of the trade magazines that I receive, and found some statistics gathered from several sources that are worth passing on. One of the studies included weather conditions during an accident involving big trucks. Oddly most accidents (61%) actually occur during clear weather conditions. Clear weather is followed by raining (8%); then overcast (6%); and sleet/snow (5%). Another statistic reports that most accidents (22%) occur on Wednesday; followed by Tuesday (21%); then Thursday (19%) and the fewest 2.5 occur on Sunday. Since the year 2000, truck drivers have had the lowest reports of high alcohol content in fatal accidents. During that same period motorcyclists had the highest report of alcohol content in fatal accidents. Passenger cars and light trucks are pretty much equal.
Cab Security. Question: What weighs less than a pound and can crush a man’s skull? Answer: An unsecured hammer, wrench, or fitting flying through the air during a vehicular accident. If you must keep tools and other hard objects in the cab of your assigned tractor, secure it in some manner to prevent it from being hurled through the air in the event of an accident.
PPE. Make no doubt about it; PPE must be properly worn anytime you are handling any hazardous material. By properly worn, I mean: hard hat on, goggles, on, face shield down, rubber boots and gloves on, splash suit on with cuffs outside the gloves and boots. The worst possible time not to have it on properly is when there is a spill or leak…then it is too late.
While I’m on my soap box, take time to inspect the items to make sure that each item is serviceable. By that I mean: the item is free of holes and tears and that it still fits properly. If an item is not serviceable, meet with your respective terminal manager and exchange it for a new item. Additionally, safety glasses are not substitutes for goggles.
CSA. Since the inception of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability enforcement program, the system held the violations against the driver and the carrier, even after the drivers were later found not to be guilty. Beginning late last month violations may be removed if the driver is found to be not guilty or the citation is dismissed. This can be done only if the driver and/or carrier take the correct action. The first step is to fight the citation and win in court. The next step is to submit the documentation through the DataQ system (www.dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov). You will have to submit scanned copies of certified court or administrative documents, or provide a direct link to the documents on a court or agency website. There are three possible rulings that will affect your CSA score. A “not guilty” or a “dismissed without a fine or court costs” will result in the inspection being removed from your score. A “conviction for a lesser charge” will result in the severity of 1 with a note indicating the result. A “dismissed with a fine or court cost” will result in the violation points being unchanged.
If you wish to exercise this right, get your documentation together and contact me.
Distractions. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that each day in the United States that more than nine people are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. The study agreed that the most dangerous driver distraction is texting. However this is not the only one. Their report names seven other distractions that include:
- Grooming has been a known distraction for years. Make time to do this important task at home.
- Eating and drinking takes your attention and your reaction is to protect what ever you have in your hand first.
- Monitoring passengers, this includes kids and pets, will take your attention away for several seconds.
- Rubbernecking and slowing down to look at a traffic accident.
- Listening to music, especially loud music will mask road noise such as honking horns, squealing brakes, etc.
- Daydreaming takes your mind off your driving probably as much as texting.
- Nodding off is also considered a distraction. According to the National Sleep Foundation, an estimated 60% of Americans admit to driving while drowsy and 37% have nodded off behind the wheel.