Vehicle & Equipment Safety
Overview
John M. Seaman
Injury Prevention Specialist
UC Santa Barbara
WHO IS THIS GUY?
(….. and why should we listen to him?)
NAME: John Seaman
TEAM: UC Santa Barbara IRP
POSITION: Injury Prevention
Specialist
STATS: Undefeated
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Safety Coordinator
NSC Forklift Operator Trainer
GENIE Lift Aerial Work Platform Trainer
Smith-System Advanced Driving Trainer
Backhoe/Loader/Dump Truck Operator
IMSA Work Zone Safety Specialist
EXPERIENCE: 20+ YEARS
What’s On The Menu ?
Today’s Specials:
• Why We Need To Focus On These Two
Areas Of Concern
• Financial Ramifications
• Available Programs & Aids
• Some Proven Strategies
• Trainer Qualifications & Selection
• “On-Line”/Classroom vs. “Hands-On”
VEHICLE SAFETY
The UC Perspective
Why Focus On Vehicle Safety?
• TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ARE THE #1
CAUSE OF ON-THE-JOB FATALATIES IN
THE U.S.
• MOST VEHICLE COLLISIONS ARE
PREVENTABLE.
• CALIFORNIA DRIVERS RANKED 4TH
WORST IN THE U.S.*
• UC VEHICLES ARE “Rolling Billboards”.
*(GMAC Study)
Timing Is Everything…
• EVERY 12 MINUTES-
someone dies in a motor
vehicle crash
• EVERY 10 SECONDS-
a collision-related injury
occurs
• EVERY 5 SECONDS-
a vehicle collision occurs
Source: OSHA/NHTSA/NETS “Guidelines for Employers To
Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes”
Some Noteworthy Numbers
Traffic Reality USA Annual Statistics NHTSA 2007
41,059
Vehicle related fatalities
Other .2%
2,491,000 Bus .5%
Vehicle associated injuries
Light
6,024,248 Passenger Truck 39.7%
Total vehicle collisions Car 54.5%
10,473,075
Vehicles damaged Large Motorcycle 1.2%
Truck 3.9%
$230.6 Billion Proportion of Vehicles
Dollars spent on collision related issues Involved in Traffic Collisions
95% of vehicle collisions and fatalities are caused by Human Error
Financial Impact To UC System
$22,417,700.92*
(7/1/03 – 3/31/09)
*Average Cost Per Incident: $4,506.07
$12.69 Million FY 2006-2008
Where Does It Hurt?
• Workers Compensation Benefits
• Vehicle Repair/Replacement
• Property Damage
• Liability Claims & Settlements
What’s Driving These Statistics?
Increasing Urbanization
Increasing Congestion
Poor Defensive Driving Skills
Most drivers have not received any defensive driver training since high school.
Increasing Distractions
Distracted driving is estimated to be a factor in 25-30% of all vehicle collisions –
that’s equal to 4,000 or more collisions a day.
Top Five Driver Distractions
The Survey Says:
1. Talking To Passengers 96%
2. Adjusting vehicle climate or controls 89%
3. Eating /Drinking 74%
4. Using A Cell Phone 51%
5. Tending To Children 41%
John’s Collision Theorem
When:
Urbanization + Congestion + Distractions
are > Individual Defensive Driving Skills
Collisions Occur!
Common Collision Causes
• Improper Backing
• Hit Stationary
Object
• Inattention
• Distracted Driving
• Improper Speed
• Tailgating
A Deadly Trio
Fatigue
Inexperience Impairment*
Anger
Impatience Frustration
Violence
The many faces of
Road Rage
UC Vehicle Safety Goals
• Save Lives !
• Prevent Life-Altering Injuries
• Improve Skill Level of Personnel
Operating UC-Owned Vehicles
• Save Money
Who Should Be Trained?
• Vanpool Drivers
• Bus/Shuttle Drivers
• Occupational Drivers*
• Students Operating
UC Vehicles
• Drivers Involved In
Collisions
• Police
Top To Bottom PPE
The Minimum Requirements:
• Hard Hat
• Safety Glasses/Goggles
• Gloves
• Safety Shoes
Mandatory (Task Related):
• Hi-Visibility Vest
• Fall Protection Harness
• Fall Arrest Lanyard
• Respirator
• Hearing Protection
Types of Training
• Initial/Certification
• Refresher
• Remedial
• Skill Maintenance
• New Equipment or
Equipment Upgrade
The Trainer’s Triangle
INSTRUCT
Initial/Certification
COACH OBSERVE
The Great Debate
After two weeks, we tend
To remember:
Documentation
Legal Protection
• Training Attendance Logs
• Written Exams
• “Hands-On” Evaluation Sheets
• Posted List of “Trained &
Authorized” Users
• Learning Management System
Recognition
• Identifies Trained
Operators
• Instills Pride &
Professionalism
Trainer Qualifications
• Extensive Experience & Training
with equipment being operated
• Certified To Train - by a recognized
training organization
• A “People-Oriented” personality
• Superior Coaching Skills
• Patience
• Sound Judgment
• Excellent Salesmanship Skills
Final Thoughts
• REMEMBER: How people train/practice is how they
will behave in the field.
• Document Everything!
• Be Selective…
• Enforce all safety rules in a consistent manner.
(What you don’t address, you condone!)
IF YOU CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS,
YOU TOO CAN BECOME…..
A Safety SUPERHERO
Look, an opportunity to
prevent injury & save
money…..let’s roll!
WHO…
Crushes Risk & Protects Resources
Using The Power Of:
Training, Skill, & Safe Behaviors
UC
Ouch!
Unnecessary Risk
QUESTIONS
HOLLYWOOD
Next Exit
SEE YOU LATER!!!
USA Annual Statistics NHTSA 2007
Proportion of Vehicles
Involved in Traffic Collisions
Other .2% Bus .5%
Passenger Light
Car 54.5% Truck 39.7%
Large Motorcycle 1.2%
Truck 3.9%