Developing a Consolidated Light-Duty and CDL Fleet Vehicle Policy for Local Warehouse Operations

Abstract

OSHA data indicates that vehicular-related accidents remain the number one cause for workplace fatalities in the United States. Vehicles of all classes, weights, and industrial application pose a greater physical threat to the American worker than any other piece of machinery. Despite this heightened level of transportation risk, vehicular safety may be one of the more overlooked areas of a safety program in contrast with production-specific processes. Company XYZ, a Wisconsinbased distribution company, purchased its first semi-truck “yard horse” to shuttle trailers from one side of the company’s central distribution center to the other in order to save hundreds of dollars a day in third party carrier fees. In acquiring the semi-truck, the company became aware of several new federal and state requirements regarding its operation, maintenance, and safety. Similarly, company executives voiced the need for a uniform policy which addressed the organization’s small existing fleet of straight trucks, pickup trucks, and vans that did not require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate. This study was operational-based, and the research incorporated current government regulations and best practices to develop a fleet policy. This fleet policy addressed driver qualifications and hiring, controlled substance testing, vehicle operation, and other critical components of a comprehensive fleet risk management system. By developing a fleet policy tailored for the local warehouse operational needs of Company XYZ, the increased safety of company drivers on public highways will work to mitigate personnel, financial, and material losses.