INS IDE SCOOP
THE IMPORTANCE OF A SEATBELT POLICY
BYGREG SUMMERHAYS Implementing
and enforcing a seatbelt policy can save lives, minimize injuries and protect your company against financial losses. A report from the Network of Employers for
Traffic Safety shows that for every million miles of company travel, a safety program can save $50,000. Follow these 7 simple steps to get started.
1. Establish a Seatbelt Policy Develop a strict seatbelt policy that includes training and awareness, enforcement, evaluation — and even employee incentives.
2. Create Seatbelt Usage Rules Establish the details of your policy. Make sure it requires employees (both drivers and passengers) to buckle up 100% of the time. This policy should apply regardless of how big or small the vehicle or how quick the trip.
3. Make Training Mandatory Even though your employees probably know how to properly fasten seatbelts, don’t leave it to chance. Train all employees on proper techniques for cars, pickups and any other vehicles your company operates. This training lets you make sure all employees understand what’s expected of them.
4. Raise Internal Awareness Create an annual or semi-annual awareness campaign. There are plenty of
12 UTAH TRUCKING ~ Issue 5, 2013
organizations that offer free materials on seatbelt campaigns. This is one of the easiest, cheapest and most convenient ways to support your seatbelt policy.
5. Enforcement Be vigilant in enforcing your seatbelt policy. Let employees know that violating the policy carries the same consequences as violating any other company safety rule. Always take progressive disciplinary action for unbuckled drivers.
6. Evaluation Create a baseline for comparison of current seatbelt use. Then regularly evaluate your company’s progress toward a 100% buckled-up goal.
7. Incentives Rewards can also work toward promoting safe behavior. Why not use them to improve seatbelt use? Offer tokens toward prizes or even larger cash rewards. For more information on creating incentives programs, see the “Safety Incentives” safety topic on the WCF website (
www.wcfgroup.com).
The following organizations offer a
wealth of free resources that can help you create and enforce your seatbelt policy. You’ll find everything from training mate- rials and posters to research and technical advice on these sites.
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
National Institute for Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH)
www.cdc.gov/niosh
National Safety Council (NSC)
www.nsc.org
Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Safety Division
http://highwaysafety.utah.gov Utah Safety Council (USC)
www.utahsafetycouncil.org
Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) Safety Department
www.wcfgroup.com
Greg Summerhays is the Director of Public Relations for Workers Compensation Fund. WCF offers ongoing safety training and UTA members are eligible for a 5% premium discount through a partnership with WCF. Visit www.
wcfgroup.com for more information. UT
www.utahtrucking.com
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