How to Retain Top Talent and Promote a Safe Work Environment in Trucking
It is understandable that safety is a key concern in the trucking sector given the vast number of workers, volume of labor, and heavy machinery involved. Any successful trucking company will have safety as their top priority. Fast delivery times may be the goal, but even record-breaking transports loses their worth if the driver's or the load's security is jeopardized. There are a number of ways to encourage your drivers to drive safely and to abide by the law at all times.
Throughout the supply chain, everyone is responsible for trucking safety. The fact is that not all fleets have excellent safety cultures, but anyone can. And when they do, it may improve retention of drivers, raise employee morale, and make the workplace more enjoyable, allowing trucking companies to retain its top talents.
It's simple to believe that truck drivers are primarily in charge of ensuring trucking safety. The truck driver is the industry's recognizable face and a familiar sight on the roadways. In reality, every employee participating in every step of the process must pay attention and cooperate to ensure safety in the transportation sector. Each employee, from dispatchers to mechanics to those who load and unload freight, must take responsibility for both their own safety and the safety of others.
With that, here are some key points to remember in order to promote and maintain a safe work environment for all:
1. A kind of leadership that is devoted to safety.
One look at the actions of the company’s management and it will be evident if safety is a key value at the corporation. However is, safety won't just be an objective, but it will be a top concern at all tiers within the company—leaving its imprint on all that the business's statement of purpose to weekly team meetings. In short, leadership establishes an example on safety by living what they preach and speaking what they mean.
When managers prove they’re committed to a strong safety culture, employees absorb the intent loud and clear and take safety seriously themselves. Each worker has a part to fulfill in safety. Once the company’s leadership embodies this principle, the rest of the team will follow.
2. Straightforward and effective communication.
Conducting periodic or weekly safety meetings for truck drivers, mailing letters back to family, and emailing daily precautionary messages to drivers can serve as important interaction points which will aid a company’s interaction with drivers whilst solidifying important safety messaging. Many firms have workers lead safety discussions to boost their level of participation.
3. Well-being of the team as top priority.
When leadership cares about firm employees, that compassion is expressed at all levels of the organization. You're going to encounter factors like constructive criticism, general recognition for a job performed well, and constant exposure from the management team as they strive to learn about each component of the organization to enhance safety at all levels. Once employees are regarded as the valuable members they are, they’re more probable to adopt the company’s safety culture, and it will be demonstrated in your company’s outstanding safety record.
4. Utilize statistics to evaluate and keep drivers liable for their safety.
Holding drivers accountable isn’t a revolutionary concept, but when safety is your primary objective, the most pressing question has always been “How do you keep drivers accountable in an equitable and efficient way?” If you’re out trying to modify driver habits for the long run and not just put a temporary solution on the situation at hand, video is the most effective approach. Vehicle telematics can be beneficial, but when integrated with on-board video, companies have the information to proactively contact drivers to enhance driving behavior before a vehicle accident occurs. Most safety hazards, when found, are regarded as educational and mentoring alternatives, instead of depending on penalty as the method to change behavior.
5. Establish safe-driving behavior early
As a fleet manager, you have complete oversight of who drives on your behalf. All of the team’s positive and poor driving patterns are going to appear directly on your company name, consequently, it's essential to set up ground rules early. A thorough comprehension of the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) system should be mandatory for any driver getting into your fleet.
Vehicle maintenance, poor loading/cargo securement, distracted driving, driver fitness, and substance usage must all be addressed and established before a driver’s first run.
6. Implement your company’s Driver Safety Policies.
Rules with no adverse consequences seem more like guidelines than actual laws. Although no driver wishes to work with someone checking over their shoulder every five minutes, it makes sense for a management team to keep tabs on the actions of the fleet and strongly reprimand those who disobey the regulations. Technology has enabled a range of means to preserve an open channel of communication while upholding safety standards simultaneously. From GPS devices to current tracking software, fleet managers can observe statistics that cover everything from top speed/deceleration to average speed and idle time. If an incident were to occur, the data would indicate who was responsible and if a penalty is warranted.
7. Reward Safe Driving.
Incentive programs are one of the finest ways to inspire drivers to adhere to a safety agenda. In addition, it will give drivers an objective to reach, it will build a sense of success in the person and respect among their peers. Trying to execute a program based on sanctions alone will almost certainly backfire and escalate driver dissatisfaction. Many of the safety issues facing the trucking industry can be traced back to the intense pressure to deliver goods on time. Unrealistic deadlines hurt everyone from the truck drivers to other drivers on the road with them. It also hurts the bottom line of trucking companies that have to pay out more in workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
We, at AJG Transport, boost workplace safety within our company through the implementation of better practices, including but not limited to the following:
• Standardizing training for truck drivers and dock personnel to ensure everyone is aware of weight limitations and the appropriate technique to load a truck with cargo
• Training drivers to concentrate on the road without interruptions
• Promoting defensive driving skills between drivers to prevent accidents on the road
• Creating realistic delivery schedules that provide drivers time for proper rest, food, and exercise
• Incentivizing drivers to exercise safe driving and better health habits
• Providing real-time solutions to support truck drivers in case of heavy traffic and hazardous weather
• Focusing on proactive maintenance and regular truck inspections to lessen the chance of mechanical failure
8. Train defensive driving among truck drivers.
Truck drivers are encouraged to practice defensive driving, which involves being constantly alert for potential dangers and changes in traffic or road conditions. The probability of fatal collisions and other serious injuries can be decreased by drivers by anticipating potentially hazardous situations and making wise choices when operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who practice defensive driving are less likely to get in collisions, which means you don't have to worry as much about exorbitant repair costs, claim settlements, and rising insurance rates.
· Awareness of blind spots: Drivers of tractor-trailers or reefers may find it challenging to see cars close to or behind their vehicle due to the size of the truck and its elevated position. Any area surrounding a car that the driver cannot see clearly is known as a blind spot. Since authorities have estimated that blind spots are directly responsible for over 840,000 accidents annually. The majority of these collisions happen when motorists are changing lanes. Encourage drivers to glance over their shoulders and out the windows when changing lanes because rear-view and side mirrors aren't always useful for seeing blind spots. Urge them to leave lots of space around as well.
· Always use your turn signals: It can be tempting to make lane changes and leave motorways without signaling when driving on longer sections of the road or when there is less traffic. However, failing to signal can make collisions more likely. Remind drivers that it's the law to indicate before making a turn or changing lanes and that they should signal even if there aren't any other cars close by.
· Remain composed and with grace under pressure: Driving safely is seriously threatened by road rage. It can be tempting for truckers to engage in road rage activities like tailgating or lane-switching when they are cut off, honked at, or generally harassed by fellow motorists. Accidents can happen to drivers who let their rage rule their behavior behind the wheel. Direct your drivers to put more space between themselves and irate drivers in order to defuse road rage situations.
· Be ready for emergencies: When traveling large distances by car, things might quickly change. Remind your drivers to be ready for a range of potential emergencies, such as poor road conditions or malfunctions. When drivers have water, meals, an emergency kit, an extra set of clothes, and comforters in their cabs, they may securely and comfortably weather unforeseen circumstances that might force them to pull over or wait a long time for vehicle repairs.
· If in doubt, slow down: While it's vital for drivers to always follow the official speed limit, it's also crucial to teach them to slow down when conditions on the road change, such as inclement weather, limited visibility, or when traveling through a construction zone. Driving more slowly gives drivers more time to react to sudden changes, such as an animal darting onto the road or slippery surfaces as soon as it starts to rain. Accidents can be entirely avoided by slowing down or, at the absolute least, their impact and severity can be lessened.
9. Set up schedules for preventive maintenance (AJG TRUCK REPAIR)
The security of the trucks your drivers are operating should come first. Without routine maintenance, such as brake pads and oil changes, trucks and tractor-trailers are more prone to breakdown on the road. Telematics tools provide real-time visibility of odometer and engine data, including failure codes. With the help of this information, your mechanics can create thorough routines for preventative maintenance based on mileage, number of days, history of breakdowns, and other factors. They can also receive real-time warnings for critical fault codes. You can make sure that your trucks are in excellent condition so that drivers may prevent breakdowns on their trips by doing proactive repairs and routine maintenance.
10. Make certain thorough pre-and post-trip inspections.
Strengthening driver safety by maintenance goes hand in hand with employing thorough vehicle inspections to make sure all trucks are secure before drivers take to the road. The Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates pre-and post-trip inspections, but not just any inspection will do. Use technologies that ensure all inspections are complete and accurately documented to safeguard the safety of your drivers.
11. Take enough breaks | Consume your breaks.
Another major factor in trucking industry accidents is driver weariness. An excellent suggestion for novice truck drivers is to take breaks to reduce weariness, especially when you initially begin your job. The FMCSA has established hours of service (HOS) guidelines for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) because it is such a severe concern. The rule is plain and easy to understand:
Hours of service
• 14 hours in a 24-hour period spent on duty
• A 24-hour period involving 11 hours of driving
• Eight hours of driving followed by a 30-minute break
• To reset your 11-hour drive time and 14-hour on-duty time, you need 10 hours of sleep.
It's crucial to keep in mind that driving while fatigued has repercussions that are comparable to driving while intoxicated. Therefore, many experienced drivers with clean driving records advise stopping and taking a break if you feel fatigued in order to drive safely and arrive home to your family unharmed.
12. Situational Awareness
Drivers can prevent accidents and adapt to varying road conditions by always keeping an excellent level of awareness of what is going on around them. Every 3-5 seconds, make it a practice of inspecting your mirrors on the driver's and passenger's sides. By doing this, you'll be able to keep your "head on a swivel" position and be aware of everything around your truck.
In modern employment sectors, increasing prospective workers are emphasizing working for a company that fosters a healthy workplace culture/environment. Such a healthy working environment remains extremely essential for trucking companies. Why? Because the trucking business has among the highest rates of employee turnover.
Retention is always better than acquisition, most especially when we are dealing with individuals of top talent. Companies need to put in extra effort in order to show appreciation and value to their members, hence, AJG Transport would like to share some tips on how to maintain a healthy relationship with your team:
1. Advocate open communication.
Open communication is vital to every healthy relationship, which also includes the relationship between an employer and an employee. Employees ought to feel that they are able to reach their superiors with any issues or inquiries that they have. Management must also make an attempt to verify with employees on a regular basis in order to see how they're progressing both professionally and as individuals.
2. Promote a healthy lifestyle.
There is no doubt that trucking is often an exercise-deprived job. Due to this, it is necessary for trucking businesses to urge their personnel to adopt healthy lifestyles.
This might involve something such as implementing a wellness program, on-site fitness centers, offering discounts at nearby fitness centers, or sponsoring wellness challenges amongst team members. When workers are physically well, they’re more likely to be emotionally and intellectually healthy as well.
Also, drivers who keep in good physical shape and consume better meals are less prone to fall sleepy behind the wheel, and that’s not the sole advantage of fostering active lifestyles among truckers as regular exercise can definitely improve mental health, increase energy levels, and reduce stress.
3. Offer flexible schedules.
Trucking is a challenging career, and truckers are frequently required to be on the road for a lengthy amount of time. That’s why it’s crucial for trucking companies to offer schedules that are flexible when possible. This may include permitting truckers to take extended breaks between journeys or providing them greater autonomy over their schedules. Whenever workers enjoy some versatility with regard to their schedules, they’re more inclined to be fulfilled and effective while at work leading to reduced turnover.
4. Support employee development.
Employees that have the sense they’re continuously immersed in learning have a greater capacity to be involved in their duties and dedicated to their company. That’s why it’s vital for trucking companies to put resources into initiatives that promote employee growth including mentorship programs, opportunities for education, and career progression programs. When employees feel like there’s potential for them to grow inside the firm, they’re more likely to choose to stay around for the long term.
5. Recognize great and small achievements.
Everyone likes to be acknowledged, and truckers are no different. It’s essential for companies to acknowledge their workers’ accomplishments—big and small—to evoke them that what they do is considered valuable. This could involve things like developing a compensation-based system for when an employee achieves a milestone, that provides pay incentives or simply offering the team meals regularly. Whatever shape it takes, appreciation is a vital element of fostering an enjoyable place to work in all industries.
6. Always support and take into consideration one’s Mental health.
As everyone who has ever driven in congestion understands, trucking is a challenging profession. Drivers are sometimes required to put in numerous hours on the highway, navigating traffic, terrible weather, and occasionally less-than-perfect working circumstances. It’s not surprising that mental health disorders are frequent among truckers.
Mental health is just as essential as one's physical health, and it’s a subject that trucking businesses should take seriously. Drivers who are battling with depression, anxiety, or other kinds of mental illnesses may find it difficult to keep focused on the work at hand. As a result, individuals may be more inclined to make errors or get into accidents.
To promote the mental health of their drivers, trucking businesses should provide access to mental health options including psychotherapy sessions or personnel support initiatives. Furthermore, drivers must be motivated to take breaks during their work hours to alleviate tension and clear their mental slate.
In summary, an outlook that guarantees safety and welfare encourages advancement in numerous working sectors.
Here at AJG Transport, we raise employee quality in general by tightening our requirements and by hiring only qualified and competent professionals. That way, these knowledgeable members of our team can learn from one another in a workplace that prioritizes safety, which promotes positively-enforced actions and fosters a generally favorable attitude towards efficiency. Given that drivers educate and grow to watch out for one another, it paves the way for strengthening team ties. As a company, a high-quality workforce is a big asset for our business that is focused on improving every aspect of its operations, including driver retention, and a culture of safety capitalizes on the expertise and mindset of the team.
We believe that a significant part of a healthy trucking culture is addressing driver actions and beliefs, such as education, monitoring, and accountability. This is for the success o the company, its employees, and the people they share the highway with.