I recently complete the National Safety Council instructor’s course in The Dynamics of Fleet Safety. The first question asked was, “What is a fleet?”  Any guesses?   A fleet can be the traditional group of trucks and/or cars driven by employees to conduct business for your company organization.  Did you know that a fleet can also include; employees who drive their own cars (i.e. sales reps), rental vehicles, forklifts, golf carts, buses, or the employee you send to run an errand in their own car.  Can you think of others? 

Why are we concerned about Fleet Safety?  The BLS reports incidents and deaths are declining in the workplace, but the US DOT’s FMCS (Federal Motor Carrier Safety) department, is reporting a significant increase in employee injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents.  This increase is occurring both on-site and off-site. 

The first thing you have to be aware of is identifyng your company fleet.  Below are few other considerations when developing a Fleet Safety Program.

• Identify YOUR FLEET
• Include anyone and everyone who drives a powdered vehicle. 
• Develop policies and procedures for your fleet program. 
• Driver Education and training
• Identify problem areas and accident data.
• Have and accident review board (safety committee)
• Driver program
• Management Support

We have been doing a pretty good job reducing incidents at the workplace, but a really poor job when it relates to driver safety.  Developing a Fleet Safety Program can help reduce fleet incidents.  Remember an incident’s average cost is about $34,000 and if your company makes 4% profit margin, the company will need to make about and additional $1 million dollars to break even.