Emergency Preparedness for Trucking Companies: Minimizing Risks on the Road

Emergency Preparedness for Trucking Companies: Minimizing Risks on the Road

Driving a long-haul truck is an exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding career where every day is different. Sometimes the ever-changing nature of trucking work brings adventure, while other times it brings risk and potential hazards. Every year, there are more than 168,000 accidents involving trucks, with 32% of those resulting in injury and 3% in fatality. ⁽¹⁾

While some dangers are inherent to the industry, emergency preparedness can go a long way to protect drivers, cargo, other motorists, and your business.

Here are some common risks and ways to reduce them:

• Vehicle-Related Challenges: Brake failure, flat tires, tire blowouts, and other vehicle defects are one major cause of dangers on the road. You can reduce the risk of vehicle-related incidents by ensuring your vehicles receive frequent and regular maintenance. Drivers should also perform pre-trip inspections to make sure their vehicle is operating its best before hitting the road. They should also keep tools for minor repairs and replacement parts for commonly needed equipment in the truck during their travels.
• Injury or Illness: Injury or illness can happen during a trip for any number of reasons, occupation-related or otherwise. It is essential for drivers to prioritize their health and seek regular routine medical care and medical treatment if they have health concerns. Even a small medical problem can turn into a big one when behind the wheel of a rig. If a driver feels unwell or fears a medical emergency may be beginning, they should pull over immediately. They should also travel with any needed medications as well as a first aid kit.
• Accidents: Even the safest drivers experience an occasional accident. Drivers should first contact emergencies services, then check for injuries. They should also take photos, gather necessary documents, and collect information from witnesses if possible. Drivers should report any accidents to their company and/or insurance company.
• Inclement Weather: Bad weather can have a myriad of negative impacts on long-haul trips. Drivers should pay attention to road and weather conditions along every leg of their trip. They should also be aware of steps to take when unexpectedly facing inclement weather – such as pulling over during heavy rains and buckling in and putting their head down below window level during a tornado.
• Roadside Incidents: Any one of these risks mentioned could cause a driver to pull off to the side of the road. In this event, it’s critical to have safety equipment like flares and signage to give other motorists advanced warning of their presence.

Best Practices for Trucking Safety

No matter what hazards drivers face, here are some additional tips to being prepared for whatever emergencies may arise:

• Priortize safety. Let your drivers know their safety and the safety of those they share the road with are your number one priority. Cargo and equipment can be replaced, but lives cannot be.
• Manage fatigue. Driver fatigue poses a serious risk on the roadways. Be sure to emphasize the importance of fatigue management with your team and be diligent about adhering to hours of service regulations.
• Ensure vehicles are equipped with reliable communication systems and information. You never know what could be damaged during an accident or other emergency event, so it is critical to have multiple communication systems and various protocols in place to help drivers get the help they need quickly. You should also make sure all relevant contact information is readily available to your drivers if they need it.
• Require regular safety training. Safety training not only helps keep drivers, cargo, and other motorists safe, it can also help increase emergency preparedness. The more drivers can learn about potential dangers, the better equipped they are to handle them well.
• Don’t ignore mental preparedness. Truck driving can be stressful even in the best of scenarios. Equip drivers with tools to care for themselves mentally and emotionally as well as physically while they are driving, and especially when faced with an emergency. Lives could depend on a driver’s ability to remain calm. Encourage practices like deep breathing and meditation to help prepare your drivers and share mental health resources they can refer to if they need additional help.
• Establish an emergency plan. Craft an emergency response plan so your drivers have a step-by-step guide to follow in the event of an emergency. Make sure it is comprehensive enough to address any situation your drivers may encounter and that your drivers are thoroughly trained on it. Regularly review and update your emergency plan to ensure you are providing the best, most up-to-date and accurate guidance possible.

Some trucking hazards are unavoidable. But, with some forethought and knowledge, your drivers can be better positioned to mitigate and address them successfully.

One essential area of knowledge for trucking companies involves CSA scores. A Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score is a number calculated by the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that relates to a carrier’s safety performance, measures compliance with safety regulations, and identifies high-risk fleets, carriers, and drivers. Knowing and understanding your CSA score can help you reduce risks and protect your business. At SWZ, we offer a free SCORE Report to help you understand your safety score, identify safety issues, and learn how to resolve them. Request your copy today.

(1) https://www.truckinfo.net/research/truck-accident-statistics