1. Transit System Safety Program Workshop
Ohio Department of Transportation
August 14th, 2007
Presented by:
Victoria Warner
RLS & Associates, Inc. 1

2. 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. 6

3. 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. 6

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. PROGRAM COMPONENTS (CONT’D)
Formal and informal safety training sessions for all employees
Provide protective equipment, guidelines for use, and monitor use

8. 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

9. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (CONT’D)
Take disciplinary and corrective actions as necessary with employees involved in preventable accidents
Set a good example

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. COMMITTEE MAKE-UP
Management and front-line employees including drivers and mechanics
Provides employees with vested interest

17. 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

18. 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

19. RECRUITEMENT AND SELECTION (CONT’D)
Criminal background checks
Other background checks
Desired knowledge, skill and abilities

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS (CONT’D)
Reasonable knowledge of service area
Ability to read basic maps
Road test
Written driving skills test

27. 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

28. TRAINING Conducted on a continual basis to ensure knowledge
Initial and refresher
System procedures
Techniques

29. 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

30. 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

31. INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)
Drug and alcohol program (ODOT requires within 30 days of hire)
Bloodborne pathogens - OSHA , 1030
Policy
Training (ODOT requires within 6 months of hire)
Annually
Upon change and/or addition of new procedures or exposures
Knowledgeable trainer

32. 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

33. 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

34. INITIAL TRAINING (CONT’D)
Federal requirements (ADA)
Emergency procedures
Contact information
Emergency evacuations
First aid/CPR (ODOT requires within 6 months of hire)

35. 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

36. 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)

37. TRAINING DOCUMENTATION
Personnel file
Work eligibility file
Payroll
Medical
Training and credential files
Drug and alcohol records
Accident file

38. 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

39. 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

40. EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION (CONT’D)
Discipline/recognition
Violations resulting in termination
Violations subject to disciplinary action

41. PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS/INJURIES
Disciplinary action
Grievance procedure
Employee responsibility for reporting

42. 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%

43. 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

44. PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS (CONT’D)
Unattended vehicle accidents
Adverse weather condition accidents
Passenger activities

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. HOLD UP/ROBBERY Keep calm Note description
Notify dispatcher as soon as possible following theft
Call police
Document

51. NATURAL DISASTERS Tornado Flood 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

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS
Lights and reflectors
Brakes
Horn
Windshield wipers, washer, defroster
Mirrors
Tires
Speedometer
Seatbelts
Doors
Fluids

57. PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTIONS (CONT’D)
Emergency equipment
Cleanliness
Back up alarm
Wheelchair lifts

58. COMMUNICATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY
Vehicle communications
Cell phones
Two-way radios
CB radios
Communication protocols
Emergency response checklists

59. 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

60. ONBOARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT (CONT’D)
Working flashlight
Securement belt extender
Quick reference guide
Spare tire
Jack and lug wrench
Reflective vest

61. VEHICLE PROCUREMENT
Exterior
Visibility
Interior

62. 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

63. 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

64. 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

65. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D)
Underground storage tanks
Employee information and training

66. ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT Accident documentation packet 35 millimeter camera
Driver report forms
Witness/courtesy cards
Pens or pencils
35 millimeter camera

67. 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

68. 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

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

70. 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

71. MEDIA RELATIONS AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION
Designate a community relations representative
Advise drivers on how to properly respond

72. 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

73. 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

74. 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