1d 2007 ODOT Safety Training

							Transit System Safety Program Workshop


      Ohio Department of Transportation

             August 14th, 2007

               Presented by:
             Victoria Warner
           RLS & Associates, Inc.




                                          Page 1 of 69
                  HISTORY

 In 1997, the Ohio Department of Transportation
  distributed a vehicle safety program to all transit
providers throughout the State of Ohio in an effort to
establish consistent and effective safety policies and
                     procedures.

In addition, a training was provided on this safety
  program to explain the different elements of the
 program and the importance of its implementation
               within transit programs.



                                                Page 2 of 69
          SAFETY PLAN PURPOSE


To communicate policies, procedures, and requirements
   to be followed by management, maintenance, and
    operational personnel in order to provide a safe
  environment for agency personnel and the general
                       public.




                                               Page 3 of 69
       PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Upper management commitment
  ●   To create a new plan or update an existing plan
  ●   Monitor
       - Ongoing evaluation of system’s safety objectives
       - Annual review of the safety plan to determine
         effectiveness




                                                     Page 4 of 69
   TO CREATE A NEW PLAN OR UPDATE AN
             EXISTING PLAN

♦ Locate plan and dust it off
♦ Review plan content
♦ Assess current program
♦ Prioritize need
♦ Define “reasonable” safety procedures pertinent to
  system
♦ Provide “adequate” driver training
♦ Give employees a vested interest



                                                 Page 5 of 69
           PROGRAM COMPONENTS

♦ Safety inspection program to identify and correct all
  hazardous conditions and practices
   ●   All facilities
   ●   Vehicles
   ●   Work procedures
♦ Investigation and review of all accidents/incidents to
  determine the source of negligence and to outline
  preventive measures




                                                   Page 6 of 69
   PROGRAM COMPONENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Formal and informal safety training sessions for all
  employees
♦ Provide protective equipment, guidelines for use, and
  monitor use




                                                   Page 7 of 69
            EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
              RESPONSIBILITIES
♦ Successfully administer the plan
♦ Establish, monitor, and report on safety objectives
♦ Develop, communicate, and enforce reasonable safety
  procedures
♦ Provide initial and refresher training to all employees
♦ Determine preventable/non-preventable
  accidents/incidents




                                                    Page 8 of 69
          EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
        RESPONSIBILITIES (CONT’D)
♦ Take disciplinary and corrective actions as necessary
  with employees involved in preventable accidents
♦ Set a good example




                                                  Page 9 of 69
   DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER
             PERSONNEL
♦ Exercise maximum care and good judgment in
  preventing accidents
♦ Possess a valid driver’s license or commercial driver’s
  license as required by law at all times
♦ Maintain and have in possession a valid DOT medical
  examiner’s certificate, if applicable
♦ Immediately report all motor vehicle citations,
  convictions, suspension, or removal of driving
  privileges to management


                                                   Page 10 of 69
   DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER
        PERSONNEL (CONT’D)
♦ Immediately report all accidents/incidents
♦ Immediately report all unsafe practices or vehicle
  conditions
♦ Actively participate in all safety trainings
♦ Become familiar with and operate within defined
  safety procedures
♦ Use/wear protective safety equipment at all times




                                                  Page 11 of 69
   DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER
        PERSONNEL (CONT’D)
♦ Notify management when a physical or mental
  condition may impair ability to perform job safely
♦ Notify management when use of Rx/OTC medications
  may impair ability to perform job safely
♦ Accurately complete accident reports and cooperate
  with accident investigations
♦ Consent to fitness for duty evaluations including drug
  and alcohol tests required by agency or law




                                                  Page 12 of 69
              SAFETY COMMITTE

♦ Identify strategies to prevent losses to the system
♦ Determine cause and contributing factors for
  accidents/incidents
♦ Identify how accident/incident may have been
  prevented




                                                    Page 13 of 69
      SAFETY COMMITTEE (CONT’D)

♦ Assist in the development of strategies to prevent
  vehicle accidents
♦ Assist in efforts to communicate new and existing
  vehicle and operator safety requirements
♦ Identify staff who should attend training
♦ Conduct annual safety audit




                                                   Page 14 of 69
      SAFETY COMMITTEE (CONT’D)

♦ A resource for enhancing and facilitating vehicle
  safety
♦ Assist management in identifying current accident
  prevention and safety training needs
♦ Scope should go beyond vehicle accidents
♦ Provides true picture of system’s safety status




                                                  Page 15 of 69
           COMMITTEE MAKE-UP

♦ Management and front-line employees including
  drivers and mechanics
♦ Provides employees with vested interest




                                              Page 16 of 69
        SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM

♦ Designed to boost employee morale and give
  employees positive reinforcement
♦ Standards for incentives must be:
   ●   Attainable
   ●   Earned
   ●   Valued
   ●   Based on performance over reasonable time period
   ●   Presentation must emphasize importance
♦ Does not have to be a monetary reward


                                                     Page 17 of 69
       RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION

♦ Define the position
♦ Give a thorough description of the duties and
  responsibilities of the position
♦ Clearly define the qualifications of the position
   ●   CDL/DOT physical
   ●   Drug testing
   ●   Physical requirements
   ●   Language skills
   ●   Manual dexterity
   ●   Motor Vehicle records


                                                      Page 18 of 69
RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION (CONT’D)

 ●   Criminal background checks
 ●   Other background checks
 ●   Desired knowledge, skill and abilities




                                              Page 19 of 69
 RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION (CONT’D)

♦ Application must meet Federal and State equal
  employment opportunity laws
♦ Structured interview process
♦ Manager/Supervisor should be included in the hiring
  process
♦ Careful consideration should be given more toward
  attitude and personality




                                                  Page 20 of 69
          DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS

♦ Targeted recruitments
♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements
   ●   Application
   ●   Interview
   ●   Physical Requirements
        - Mental and physical condition
        - Eyesight
        - Hearing
        - Substance abuse/alcohol misuse
        - Physical examination

                                                Page 21 of 69
 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements
  (cont’d)
   ●   Age
   ●   Ability to perform simple math
   ●   Knowledge of English
   ●   Operating skills/experience (5 years)
   ●   Driver’s licensing
        - Valid driver’s license or CDL
        - Original BMV report issued within 10 days and
          every six months thereafter

                                                    Page 22 of 69
 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements
  (cont’d)
   ●   BMV report suggested criteria
        - No OMVI or similar
        - No reckless driving, railroad crossing violations, or
          leaving the scene of an accident violations
        - No more than 2 moving violations or accidents
          within the last three years




                                                         Page 23 of 69
 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements
  (cont’d)
   ●   BMV report suggested criteria (cont’d)
        - No suspended or revoked license within past 10
          years
        - No combination of violations that indicate a pattern
          of unsafe vehicle operation
   ●   Criminal records check
        - No felony conviction
        - No crimes of violence

                                                       Page 24 of 69
 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Knowledge, licensing, and physical requirements
  (cont’d)
   ●   Criminal records check (cont’d)
        - No drug use or sale
        - No physical abuse
        - No fraud or theft
        - No child endangerment
        - No pattern of unlawful behavior
♦ Previous employment notification


                                                Page 25 of 69
 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)

♦ Reasonable knowledge of service area
♦ Ability to read basic maps
♦ Road test
♦ Written driving skills test




                                         Page 26 of 69
                     WHY TRAIN?

♦ Reduces your system’s risk of serious repercussions
♦ Improves quality of service to passengers
♦ Provides opportunity to:
   ●   Acknowledge safety-sensitive and customer service
       responsibilities
   ●   Review and discuss responsibilities
   ●   Answer questions and clarify misunderstandings
   ●   Assist employees in honing their safety skills
   ●   Allows employees to share their experience(s)
♦ Provides management with opportunity
  to assess employee skills
                                                     Page 27 of 69
                        TRAINING

♦ Conducted on a continual basis to ensure knowledge
   ●   Initial and refresher
   ●   System procedures
   ●   Techniques




                                                Page 28 of 69
   DEVELOPING A QUALITY TRAINING
             PROGRAM
♦ Evaluate needs of each position
♦ Outline job-specific training plans
♦ Assess availability and expertise of training staff
♦ Develop goals, objectives, and competency testing
♦ Identify needed resources
♦ Implement training
♦ Document
♦ Re-evaluate and revise



                                                    Page 29 of 69
               INITIAL TRAINING

The following is based on ODOT requirements – other
funding agencies might have more stringent
requirements

♦ Policy and procedures manual
♦ Personnel policy manual
♦ Scheduling
♦ Radio/communication protocol
♦ Office/paperwork requirements


                                               Page 30 of 69
         INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Drug and alcohol program (ODOT requires within 30
  days of hire)
♦ Bloodborne pathogens - OSHA 437-02-1910, 1030
   ●   Policy
   ●   Training (ODOT requires within 6 months of hire)
        - Annually
        - Upon change and/or addition of new procedures or
          exposures
        - Knowledgeable trainer



                                                    Page 31 of 69
          INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Pre- and post-trip inspection
♦ Vehicle familiarization
♦ Basic operations and maneuvering
♦ Defensive driving (ODOT requires within 6 months of
  hire)
   ●   Special driving conditions
   ●   Backing
   ●   Intersections
   ●   Lane changes and turning
   ●   Railroad crossings

                                               Page 32 of 69
          INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)

   ●   Following distance
   ●   Bad weather
♦ Boarding and alighting passengers
♦ Passenger assistance (DRIVE) training (ODOT
  requires within 6 months of hire)
   ●   Lift operations
   ●   Ramps
   ●   Proper securement techniques
   ●   Sensitivity training


                                                Page 33 of 69
          INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Federal requirements (ADA)
♦ Emergency procedures
   ●   Contact information
♦ Emergency evacuations
♦ First aid/CPR (ODOT requires within 6 months of
  hire)




                                               Page 34 of 69
              ON-GOING TRAINING

♦ Annual – suggested
   ●   CPR
   ●   System safety/safe driving
   ●   Evacuation/emergency procedures
   ●   System security including NIMS
   ●   Agency policy and procedures
   ●   Any new rules and regulations
   ●   Drug and alcohol awareness




                                         Page 35 of 69
       ON-GOING TRAINING (CONT’D)

♦ Bi-annual – suggested
   ●   Defensive driving
   ●   Bloodborne pathogens
   ●   Security awareness
   ●   DRIVE/PASS program
♦ Tri-annual – suggested
   ●   First aid
   ●   Diversity awareness
   ●   Sexual harassment
   ●   Drug and alcohol policy
   ●   Reasonable suspicion (supervisors)
                                            Page 36 of 69
        TRAINING DOCUMENTATION

♦ Personnel file
♦ Work eligibility file
♦ Payroll
♦ Medical
♦ Training and credential files
♦ Drug and alcohol records
♦ Accident file




                                  Page 37 of 69
       EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION

♦ Ridechecks – ghost riders
   ●   Unannounced
   ●   Periodic
   ●   Documented
♦ Formal annual evaluations
♦ Employee commendations response
♦ Safety-related complaint response
♦ Fitness for duty
♦ Health risks
♦ Diabetes
                                      Page 38 of 69
     EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION
              (CONT’D)
♦ Fatigue
♦ Rx/OTC medications
♦ Older drivers
♦ Wellness programs
♦ Periodic motor vehicle record checks
♦ Annual physical examination recommended
♦ Safety meetings
♦ Seatbelt usage



                                            Page 39 of 69
       EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION
                (CONT’D)
♦ Discipline/recognition
   ●   Violations resulting in termination
   ●   Violations subject to disciplinary action




                                                   Page 40 of 69
  PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS/INJURIES

♦ Disciplinary action
♦ Grievance procedure
♦ Employee responsibility for reporting




                                          Page 41 of 69
  EMERGENCY DRIVING PROCEDURES

♦ Driver preparation
   ●   Identify potential risks
        - Weather forecast
        - Road condition, construction zones, lane width
        - Traffic volume
        - Volume of passengers
        - Passenger characteristics and special needs
♦ Accident causes
   ●   Mechanical defect – 3%
   ●   Condition of street or highway – 12%
   ●   Human failure or error – 85%
                                                      Page 42 of 69
         PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS

♦ Backing accidents
♦ Intersection accidents
♦ Pedestrian accidents
♦ Rear-end collisions
♦ Traffic lane encroachment accidents
♦ Accidents resulting from mechanical conditions
♦ Accidents with parked vehicles
♦ Collisions with stationary objects



                                                   Page 43 of 69
  PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS (CONT’D)

♦ Unattended vehicle accidents
♦ Adverse weather condition accidents
♦ Passenger activities




                                        Page 44 of 69
       SITUATIONS REQUIRING DRIVER
               ADJUSTMENTS
♦ Slippery road surfaces
♦ Driving in very hot weather
♦ Driving at night
♦ Driving through water
♦ Winter driving
   ●   Special techniques for driving on ice and snow
        - Glare
        - Traction
        - Braking
        - Hills
                                                        Page 45 of 69
       SITUATIONS REQUIRING DRIVER
           ADJUSTMENTS (CONT’D)
♦ Winter driving (cont’d)
   ●   Special techniques for driving on ice and snow (cont’d)
        - Skids
        - Stuck
        - Snow and ice removal
        - Precautions
        - Tire inflation
        - Defensive driving
        - Gas tank at least half full


                                                       Page 46 of 69
       VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS AND
          UNAVOIDABLE STOPS
♦ Remove the vehicle from hazardous situations
♦ Assess the scene
♦ Secure vehicle
♦ Engage flashers/position reflectors
♦ Notify dispatcher of location and problem
♦ Keep passengers safe, evacuate if necessary
♦ Document




                                                 Page 47 of 69
        VEHICLE FIRE/EVACUATION

♦ Pull up to a safe location, stop, and shut off engine
♦ Contact dispatcher
♦ Open all exits
♦ Evacuate passengers (upwind of vehicle)
♦ Stay calm
♦ Use fire extinguisher appropriately




                                                    Page 48 of 69
            FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE

♦ Use to put out small fires
♦ First line of defense in evacuating passengers
♦ Drivers should never attempt to extinguish a fire
  unless:
   ●   All passengers have been evacuated
   ●   The fire is small and contained within the ignition
       point
   ●   The driver can attack the fire with an exit to their back
       and upwind of the fire



                                                          Page 49 of 69
                HOLD UP/ROBBERY

♦ Keep calm
♦ Note description
♦ Notify dispatcher as soon as possible following theft
♦ Call police
♦ Document




                                                  Page 50 of 69
              NATURAL DISASTERS

♦ Tornado
  ●   Do not try to outrun a tornado
  ●   Exit vehicle, seek shelter
♦ Flood
  ●   Never attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges
  ●   Move to higher ground
  ●   Be cautions of driving at night when flood damages are
      harder to see
  ●   Do not try to walk through fast-moving water – even
      six inches of fast-moving water can knock a
      person off his/her feet
                                                     Page 51 of 69
              PASSENGER SAFETY

♦ Passenger behavior rules
♦ Seatbelt use
♦ Child safety seats
♦ Mobility device securement
♦ Passenger restraint system
♦ Difficult passengers
♦ Medical condition
♦ First aid
♦ Bloodborne pathogen/infection control

                                          Page 52 of 69
      PASSENGER ILLNESS OR INJURY

♦ Remove vehicle from traffic flow – engage flashers –
    turn off engine
♦   Assess the situation
♦   Contact the dispatcher – notify of location and
    situation
♦   Perform first aid/CPR, if necessary, until responders
    arrive
♦   Remain calm
♦   Assist responders as required
♦   Address concerns of other passengers
♦   Document
                                                     Page 53 of 69
               WHEN TO EVACUATE

♦ Evacuate any time danger of staying on board is
  greater than the danger of having passengers off the
  vehicle
♦ Evacuation is typically appropriate in the following
  situations:
   ●   Vehicle is in a dangerous situation and cannot be
       moved
   ●   Fire or smoke is present
   ●   Leaking fuel coming from underneath the vehicle
   ●   Security threat
♦ Follow defined protocols for evacuation
                                                       Page 54 of 69
         PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

♦ Follow recommended inspection and maintenance
  operations
   ●   Daily servicing needs
   ●   Periodic inspection
        - Vehicle pre- and post-trip inspections
        - Defect reports
   ●   Interval related maintenance
   ●   Breakdown maintenance




                                                   Page 55 of 69
   PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS

♦ Lights and reflectors
♦ Brakes
♦ Horn
♦ Windshield wipers, washer, defroster
♦ Mirrors
♦ Tires
♦ Speedometer
♦ Seatbelts
♦ Doors
♦ Fluids
                                         Page 56 of 69
   PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS
              (CONT’D)
♦ Emergency equipment
♦ Cleanliness
♦ Back up alarm
♦ Wheelchair lifts




                               Page 57 of 69
COMMUNICATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY

♦ Vehicle communications
   ●   Cell phones
   ●   Two-way radios
   ●   CB radios
♦ Communication protocols
♦ Emergency response checklists




                                  Page 58 of 69
      ONBOARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT

♦ Working ABC fire extinguisher (5 lb. recommended)
♦ Web cutters
♦ First aid kit
♦ Biohazard kit
♦ Warning triangles
♦ Blankets
♦ Cell phone/two-way radio
♦ Emergency contact telephone numbers
♦ Jack handle for manual wheelchair lift
  operation
                                              Page 59 of 69
      ONBOARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT
              (CONT’D)
♦ Working flashlight
♦ Securement belt extender
♦ Quick reference guide
♦ Spare tire
♦ Jack and lug wrench
♦ Reflective vest




                             Page 60 of 69
             VEHICLE PROCUREMENT

♦ Exterior
♦ Visibility
♦ Interior




                                   Page 61 of 69
      VEHICLE SAFETY AT TRANSIT
              FACILITY
♦ Set maximum speed
♦ Designated parking spaces
♦ Traffic flow pattern should emphasize “pull through”
♦ Establish backing rules
♦ Rules for unattended vehicle




                                                 Page 62 of 69
       REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

♦ Bloodborne pathogens
   ●   Exposure control plan
♦ OSHA requirements (Title 29, Code of Federal
  Regulations)
   ●   Basic design deficiencies
   ●   Inherent hazards
   ●   Malfunctions
   ●   Maintenance hazards
   ●   Environmental hazards
   ●   Human factors

                                                 Page 63 of 69
       REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
               (CONT’D)
♦ Periodic walkthroughs
♦ Hazardous material inventory
♦ Fire safety
   ●   Extinguisher maintenance
   ●   Smoke detectors
♦ Hazardous material storage
♦ Written hazardous communication program
♦ Labeling of hazardous chemicals
♦ Material safety data sheets


                                            Page 64 of 69
     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
             (CONT’D)
♦ Underground storage tanks
♦ Employee information and training




                                      Page 65 of 69
           ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT

♦ Accident documentation packet
   ●   Driver report forms
   ●   Witness/courtesy cards
   ●   Pens or pencils
♦ 35 millimeter camera




                                  Page 66 of 69
         ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION
       PROCEDURES – ALL ACCIDENTS
♦ Secure the vehicle
♦ Assess the situation and evacuate the vehicle if
  necessary
♦ Contact the dispatcher with location and injury
  assessment
♦ Assist injured passengers
♦ Document
   ●   Name of responders
   ●   Facts of accident
   ●   Witness/courtesy cards

                                                     Page 67 of 69
ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES –
      ALL ACCIDENTS (CONT’D)
♦ Cooperate with law enforcement
   ●   Do not discuss with anyone except law enforcement
       and insurance
   ●   Do not accept blame or accuse other parties
♦ Never leave the scene unless directed to do so by law
  enforcement or emergency medical personnel
♦ Administer post-accident drug and alcohol tests, if
  thresholds are met




                                                    Page 68 of 69
       COORDINATE WITH EMERGENCY
              MANAGEMENT
♦ Effective emergency response must be planned
♦ Intra/interagency cooperation, coordination, and
  communication
   ●   Law enforcement
   ●   Fire department
   ●   Emergency medical services
♦ Drills, simulations, and exercises




                                                     Page 69 of 69
WHAT DO FIRST RESPONDERS NEED TO
              KNOW
♦ Vehicle and facility entries – windows, doors, and
    hatches
♦   Hazardous materials
♦   Facility escape routes and safety zones
♦   Equipment shutdowns
♦   Battery cut-off switches
♦   Appropriate transit vehicle breach zones
♦   Communications capabilities
♦   Special needs, limitations of passengers

                                                  Page 70 of 69
        MEDIA RELATIONS AND CRISIS
             COMMUNICATION

♦ Designate a community relations representative
♦ Advise drivers on how to properly respond




                                                   Page 71 of 69
          ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

♦ Manage the accident scene
♦ Gather information
   ●   Physical evidence
   ●   Taking photos
   ●   Accident sketching
   ●   Witnesses
   ●   Documentation
♦ Analyze for causes and contributing factors
♦ Recommend/implement corrective actions
♦ Follow-up and monitor
                                                Page 72 of 69
 INSURANCE CLAIMS AND LITIGATION
          MANAGEMENT
♦ Dealing with adjusters
♦ Dealing with attorneys
   ●   All interaction should go through the Executive
       Director – only authorized individuals should speak
       with the attorney
   ●   All requests for documentation should be directed to
       the Executive Director




                                                       Page 73 of 69
                RECORDKEEPING

♦ Best defense in litigation
♦ Records
   ●   Training logs
   ●   Applicant authorization to release information
   ●   Acknowledgement of drug and alcohol policy
   ●   Refusal of treatment or transport
   ●   Acknowledgement of company policy and procedures
       handbook




                                                  Page 74 of 69