Ensuring Safety for Your Employees in Company Vehicles

Delivering the best safety for your employees in company vehicles requires work and dedication, and companies should prepare for it. Vehicle safety is part of what a company should enforce. It is not just about the business's bottom line. It is also about your employees' well-being and possibly even their life. Employees using a company vehicle opens considerable exposure to safety incidents and legal liability risks. Safe driving certainly takes practice, especially as the roads become more crowded and distractions have increased. It is essential to discuss company vehicle safety procedures regularly.

Safety for Your Employees

It is beneficial to be communicative about current data and lessons learned to prevent the same mistake from happening twice. Here is a deeper dive into employee safety while in company vehicles.

Company Vehicle Safety Training 

What type of driving conditions do your employees encounter regularly? You can conduct interviews, surveys, and safety incident reports and near misses, to help you determine what your focus should be on. Some things could hinder a driver, such as distractions, weather conditions, long commutes, and product transport or delivery. Another dangerous terrain a driver could encounter includes rural or city areas, high crime areas, and not adjusting to vehicle type and size.  Training should be tailored to the specific topic of concern, clearly defining the rules and regulations. Hold frequent meetings for employees who drive company vehicles to be refreshed on the matter and updated on new developments.

Onboarding New Employees

Your vehicle safety standards should include a checklist for each new employee. Also, a company should train an employee before they drive a car. Businesses should ensure that the person has the correct license type, depending on the vehicle the employee must obtain. The business must deliver clear standards on the policy regarding substance abuse and driving a company vehicle.  Every business should conduct background checks for those driving company vehicles. Moreover, keeping photocopies of workers' driver's licenses and insurance is essential. It is prudent to provide employees with a copy of the company's vehicle policies. Also, the business should explain the consequences of breaking the guidelines. Requesting employees to sign documentation to confirm that they abide by the procedure can prevent issues. 

Routine Safety Meeting Explained 

First, figure out what you will discuss at each meeting and communicate those plans and goals in advance to emphasize the seriousness. Consistent and thorough safety encouragement can go a long way. Consider discussing distracted driving at the beginning of each year. Also, implementing a zero-tolerance policy for using a mobile device while operating a company car is essential and could save a life.  Employees should understand that vehicle safety rules aim to keep them and others safe rather than to catch and punish someone breaking the rules. Accidents happen. It is where you can use this experience to learn from it. 

An Accident With a Company Vehicle 

If an accident does occur, employees can seek immediate medical assistance for injuries. Additionally, they check if anyone involved in the incident needs medical attention. Call the police and report it to the company immediately so they can inform your Commercial Auto Insurance agent immediately. Then, have the employee undergo a drug test within 24 hours while speaking with all witnesses. Discuss the accident with all other employees and any lessons learned Driving is an integral part of many business operations. Therefore employers should continuously inform employees that a single moment of carelessness while driving can become an irreversible tragedy. It isn't just about protecting the company. It is also about not putting anyone's well-being at stake. 

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors. Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation!