Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/510235
54 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | MAY 2015 is in our industry, that is a good number. But my point is we don't need our goal to have only one or two inci- dents per year. Even though we have a safe history, it's not good enough. The only ac- ceptable goal in my mind is to have zero accidents." Andrews Logistics' safety and risk management team began the Target Zero concept by analyzing past accidents, spills and contaminations to discover any commonalities among them. For example, contaminations and spills never happen when loading product into the tanker at the ship- ping point. They happen at the desti- nation location during unloading. Analysis of accidents that resulted in major injury or equipment and property damage revealed that almost all of them occurred when the truck was traveling above 56 miles per hour. The company then identifi ed the root causes of those accidents, including fatigue and distraction. The safety and risk management team then developed the eight direc- tives for the Target Zero campaign [see "The tenets of safety"] that it now preaches daily to its entire organiza- tion – drivers, terminal managers, dispatchers and front-offi ce personnel. Eschle also sent personal letters to the homes of all Andrews Logistics associates and family members ex- plaining the program and how family members can get involved to help drivers focus on safety even during their personal time at home. "Safety not only has to be empha- sized at work – it's a lifestyle behavior that can be practiced while driving, at home and in other everyday environ- ments," says Griff Odgers, Andrews Lo- gistics vice president of safety and risk management. "Proper safety behavior can minimize risk, whether it's at work or at play." To create awareness for Target Zero, Andrews Logistics now reviews the eight directives at each safety meeting and distributes educational materials. Target Zero posters and banners are vis- ible at all terminals and offi ce locations, and the company has created stickers and patches to be placed on the outside of truck doors, hardhats and uniforms to remind employees of what they are doing and why they are doing it. "We want them constantly remind- ed so that any time they are doing something that goes against the eight directives of Target Zero that the prob- ability of them making a mistake goes way up, and the campaign gives them thought to stop and correct them- selves," says Eschle. Andrews Logistics' driver training program requires new hires to com- plete a weeklong training period with a "master driver." But management realized that in that week, the new hire might only complete two or three bulk liquid deliveries to custom- ers. The company since has established a new delivery training program with the use of test tanks and test scenarios to better prepare new drivers with 20 or more practice deliveries before they fi nish training. To help measure and improve driver performance, Andrews Logistics recently implemented onboard computers that provide vis- ibility into driver behavior to identify patterns that increase the possibility of accidents. It uses scorecards to engage drivers in a positive discussion about ways they can lower their chances of being involved in accidents in the future. "We tell them, 'Hey, we care enough about you that we're concerned that the way you're driving beyond a shadow of a doubt has increased the possibility that some day you'll have an accident. You can't afford one, because it could kill you or someone else,' " says Eschle. CC J I N N O VATO R S profi les carriers and fl eets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking's challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact Jeff Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com or 800-633-5953. The only acceptable goal in my mind is to have zero accidents. – Darron Eschle, Andrews Logistics chairman and CEO THE TENETS OF SAFETY After analyzing when accidents and spills have occurred in the past, An- drews Logistics focused its Target Zero campaign on eight specifi c criteria for drivers, terminal managers, dispatch- ers and other company employees to maintain: t Focus on work responsibilities 100 percent of the time. t Encourage, promote and hold yourself and coworkers account- able for safety. t Make the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) a habit. t Follow all company procedures dur- ing loading and unloading. Protect the environment. t Communicate all safety concerns. If you are unsure, stop! t Do not use your cell phone while driving or performing your job. t Follow all federal, state and local traffi c laws. Do not drive fatigued or speed. t Drive to stay alive. Do not drive distracted. Andrews Logistics and your family want you home safely every trip, every time. ZERO INJURIES. ZERO ACCIDENTS. ZERO SPILLS. ZERO CONTAMINATIONS. THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE GOAL. Andrews Logistics developed its Target Zero campaign in an eff ort to completely eliminate accidents, spills and contaminations from its bulk liquid operation.