Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine April 2018

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

Loss Control

Sometimes the dangers to your organization’s vehicles are obvious; a deer runs across the road in front of you, or you need to drive through an overhead with low clearance on the way into worksite. But some hazards are not so easy to spot. Here are five less- obvious fleet risks that contractors deal with. Poorly Managed Personal Use In many organizations that specialize in contract-type work, company trucks are assigned to employees like superintendents and foremen because they spend a lot of time driving from site to site on company business. This is a nice perk for the employee; but if not managed appropriately, this can quickly become a headache for the employer. • Make sure employees understand that their company truck is not a gift. It is an asset of the organization and should be treated as such. • Establish clear boundaries and expectations for the use of company vehicles. Consider creating a personal use policy that outlines what activities are allowed (traveling to and from job sites, running business related errands) and which are prohibited (using a company-owned truck to help a buddy move, going on a family vacation). Other things to address Insights forContractors 5 Surprising Things That Put Your Fleet at Risk

include seat belt use and operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, medications and other substance that might impair driving ability. • Enforce the rules once you’ve set them. It is a good idea to think in advance about consequences for violations, and it’s always god to check with legal counsel to make sure your policies are in-line with state and federal regulations. Driving During Off Hours Your jobs start early, and employees may be traveling several house from their homes to get there. If they’re behind the wheel of a company vehicle during the very early hours of the morning or late at night , they face additional hazards that are less common during daytime driving. • Fight fatigue that can make employees less alert. The peak period for sleepiness behind the wheel is midnight – 6 a.m., so encourage employees to avoid driving during these times whenever possible. • Spend extra time prepping vehicles that are often driven in the dark. Realign headlights to make