DIG Insurance & Business Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 25
SAFETY CULTURE
Create A Safety Culture,
On Purpose
T
INTENTIONAL HIRING, ONBOARDING, TRAINING AND MONITORING KEEPS ROADWAYS SAFER.
ransportation companies have
a load to bear—every driver
in their fleets represents their
brand, their business. One
serious accident and major
insurance claim could force a trucking
company to close its doors. And the
reality is, most insurance claims in the
transportation industry are not small ones.
Big rigs can be a big risk without the right
safety, training, and hiring tools in place.
Hiring experienced, skilled drivers is
more of a challenge than ever before for
transportation firms. Meanwhile, demand
for trucking services continues to increase.
Consider the amount of online retail
transactions that require delivery. This
is just one piece of the trucking business,
though last-mile transportation is certainly
a growing area that calls for more drivers.
program and provide necessary training
resources. We can set up a plan to monitor
this data throughout the year so there are
no surprises.
HOLD TRUE TO YOUR STANDARDS
Establish hiring standards and stick to
them. Outline specific driver qualifications
and the level of experience you’d like drivers
to have before they join your company.
Review each applicant's prior work history
and perform complete background checks,
including drug testing. Even when the
hiring pool feels like a puddle that’s drying
up, do not give in and hire a driver who
lacks the job qualifications. Maintaining
hiring standards is critical for upholding a
strong safety culture. We can help establish
these hiring protocols and offer training
and resources so transportation companies
can run a careful recruiting process.
SET A SAFETY EXAMPLE
It’s not okay to “let it slide” if there’s a safety
issue with a driver. Set a safety example and
reinforce the message with regular training
and driver monitoring. Hold weekly tailgate
meetings and offer one-on-one training for
drivers as needed.
Consider the messaging you deliver
to drivers. For example, during bad
weather, remind drivers to take their time.
Intentionally reinforce safety versus speed.
As a transportation company, if you are
focused on developing and maintaining a
safety culture, you will attract experienced
drivers who share these values. +
Transportation companies must be
intentional about their recruiting efforts—
and systematic in the way they onboard,
train, and monitor drivers. They have a
great responsibility to keep their drivers safe
while also guarding the well-being of other
drivers on the road.
The good news is transportation companies
don’t have to take on training and
monitoring alone. At Deeley Insurance
Group, we act as an extension of their
compliance department (and for smaller
firms, we can become that ready resource).
By helping transportation firms develop a
safety culture, we can help them fulfill their
purpose on the road.
HOW DO YOU LOOK ON PAPER?
It’s time to get real about safety and see
how your transportation company looks on
paper. What is your Safety Measurement
System (SMS) score? Are there any red flags
on your Central Analysis Bureau (CAB)
report? We help analyze data and identify
areas where you are successful and where
your business needs improvement. With a
clear, honest picture of how your company
is actually doing, we can tailor a safety
BY: TRAVIS HINMAN, CRIS
CLIENT ADVISOR BY: NICOLE BRUSHMILLER, CIC, CRM
SENIOR CLIENT ADVISOR
Travis is a Client Advisor at the agency
and has been with Deeley Insurance
Group since 2009. He specializes in
Veteran Organizations, Churches,
Contractors, and Transportation
insurance,
creating
tailored
programs. Travis lives in Salisbury,
MD with his wife and daughter. Travis
is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He
volunteers with the Fruitland Little
League organization. Travis loves
the outdoors and his favorite hobbies
include running and kayaking. Nicole has been a Client Advisor at
Deeley Insurance Group since 2005.
She is an expert in Commercial and
Transportation insurance. With focus
on safety and prevention, she works
with clients to develop customized
risk management portfolios. Nicole
currently serves on the Board of
Directors for Maryland Motor Truck
Association and chairs the Eastern
Shore Chapter. She is the President
of Maple Shade Youth & Family
Services. Nicole lives in Berlin, MD
with her husband and children.
410.213.5584
[email protected]
410.213.5598
[email protected]
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