[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
The City of St. Robert Vehicle Safety Policy is designed to
reduce the number of employee accidents, provide for a safer working
environment and as a byproduct reduce the number of workers' compensation
claims, therefore, reducing the City's workers' compensation premiums.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
THREE POINT CONTACT
An employee must have a foot and two (2) hands or two (2)
feet and one (1) hand in contact with the ground, step, and/or handhold
at all times.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. To all employees:
1.
The intent of this City policy is to maintain a vehicle safety
program designed to keep vehicle crashes to an absolute minimum. The
City will comply with, and exceed where practical and beneficial,
all laws and regulations regarding operation of our vehicles. Our
goal is to maintain the safest vehicles, operated in the safest manner
possible.
2.
The fundamental tenets of our vehicle loss control program are
listed in the accompanying procedures and rules. All employees are
responsible for, and will be held accountable for, proper execution
of our vehicle safety program.
3.
However, loss control succeeds only when all members of our
City join in this responsibility and in the desire and effort to create
and maintain a continuous loss control program. Only those employees
who have a record of safe driving and who continue to demonstrate
an ability to operate our vehicles in a safe manner will be allowed
to drive City vehicles.
4.
Let's join together in an effective safety program. As an employee,
you should be constantly alert to the potential for vehicle crashes
and be prepared to take preventive action when needed. Your safety
suggestions are welcome and should be submitted to your department
head. We ask that you cooperate fully in the safety education, training,
and control procedures established to carry out our safety program
and to make a success of our company's loss control program.
5.
The success of the safety program will benefit all of us.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. The following rules are minimum expectations for operating all City
of St. Robert vehicles:
1.
Drivers and passengers must be properly secured in a seatbelt
whenever the vehicle is in motion.
2.
Any employee who is consuming a prescribed or authorized controlled
substance or other substance of any kind whose side effects may inhibit
or impair the employee's performance shall provide written notice
to the Human Resources Director of such consumption upon reporting
for work and prior to engaging in any work-related activity, or earlier
if possible. Failure to report shall be cause for disciplinary action,
including a range of options which may include termination from the
City employment.
3.
An employee may not operate a City vehicle or report for duty
within four (4) hours after using alcohol.
4.
Use of controlled substances is prohibited.
5.
No City of St. Robert employee will knowingly allow another
driver to operate a vehicle on City business if that driver's ability
to do so safely is impaired by use of alcohol, taking of medications,
use of illegal substances, fatigue or any other condition. Please
report any concerns to your supervisor immediately.
6.
Except in an emergency, communications devices, including cell
phones (whether hand-held or hands-free), are not to be used by the
driver while the vehicle is in motion.
7.
Traffic laws are to be obeyed at all times.
8.
To prevent slip, trips and falls, employees are required to
wear appropriate footwear while driving.
9.
Maintain good housekeeping in the shop area. Keep floors clear
of trip hazards like boxes, pallets, tools, cords, parts, etc. Clean
up oil and other fluid spills with appropriate products.
10.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment when operating
any tools that can create flying objects.
11.
Walk, do not run! Horseplay, scuffling and other acts of fighting
or instigating a fight is prohibited.
12.
No driver is to knowingly operate any vehicle with mechanical
problems or other defects that affect safe operation of the vehicle.
13.
No City employee will knowingly allow a vehicle to be driven
that has mechanical problems or other defects that affect safe operation
of the vehicle.
14.
At all times, drivers will drive defensively, courteously, and
in a manner that reflects well on the City.
15.
Drivers are responsible for properly securing unattended vehicles.
This includes:
a.
Never leaving the keys in the vehicle or vehicles running.
b.
Never leaving materials or inventory in plain view where they
will be susceptible to theft or damage.
c.
Locking an unattended vehicle.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. Employees must report all workplace injuries promptly. This will
help us provide the most appropriate care for an injured worker and
return them to work safely and as swiftly as possible.
B. Any accident, incident, or near miss, no matter how slight, should
be reported to your supervisor immediately. The City will be responsible
for taking appropriate follow-up actions, directing medical care and
completing an incident investigation.
C. Human Resources may direct medical treatment as allowed by the Missouri
workers compensation statute. Any request for medical treatment should
be made to Human Resources. If you choose to seek care on your own
without authorization, it may be at your own expense. If you receive
medical care and after an investigation your condition is deemed not
work-related according to the workers compensation statutes, you or
your insurance company will be liable for the medical charges.
D. The employee or his or her supervisor must complete any incident
investigation forms and assist Human Resources during the investigation.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
If an employee is injured on the job, our goal is to assist
in obtaining medical treatment and return the employee to work as
soon as possible. Our employees also have responsibilities for notifying
us of their condition and providing appropriate information to assist
in the return-to-work process. Through this joint effort, recoveries
are faster, and employees return to productive work environments sooner.
Light duty is a temporary remedy, and the length of time allowed will
be decided on a case-by-case basis. If you are off work due to injury,
you must contact Human Resources to provide updates regarding your
medical status.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. The following is a list of safe driving rules that all drivers must
take into consideration when driving a City vehicle:
1.
Drinking alcoholic beverages while driving or driving under
the influence of alcohol or restricted drugs is prohibited. Per the
City's Alcohol and Drug policy, if you have legal prescription drugs
that might impair your ability to operate a City vehicle, you must
notify Human Resources.
2.
Drivers must have a valid driver's license for the type of vehicle
to be operated, and keep the license with them at all times.
3.
Traffic laws must be obeyed.
a.
Speed shall never be faster than a rate consistent with existing
speed laws and road, traffic and weather conditions. Posted speed
limits must be obeyed.
b.
Never attempt to exercise right-of-way; always let the other
driver go first.
c.
Keep to the right except when overtaking slow-moving vehicles,
or when getting into a position to make a left turn.
d.
Never follow a vehicle so closely that you will not be able
to make a safe stop under any conditions.
e.
Turn signals must be used to show where you are heading while
going into traffic and before every turn or lane change.
f.
Be aware of school zones and areas where pedestrian traffic
is high or likely to be high.
g.
Observe overpass clearances.
h.
Avoiding scales or deviating from safest route is prohibited.
4.
City vehicles are to be driven by authorized drivers only.
5.
Plan your trip in advance to avoid high-traffic areas, road
construction, and areas known for traffic congestion. Choose a safer
alternate route.
6.
Do not give rides to hitchhikers or strangers.
7.
Check your vehicle daily before each trip. Check the vehicle
visually before driving. Check lights, brakes, and steering. Any unsafe
conditions must be reported to management.
8.
Drivers must report all accidents immediately to their supervisor.
9.
Drivers must report all traffic convictions and arrest to supervisor.
Repeated traffic offenses and non-reporting may result in disciplinary
action. Drivers are responsible for traffic violation costs.
10.
Drivers must adhere to other driving rules and local jurisdiction
laws.
11.
When backing up vehicles the driver should get out of the truck
and conduct a walk around looking for obstacles, low-hanging lines,
poles and structures that could be contacted. If possible have a spotter
assist when backing up.
12.
No use of cell phones is allowed while operating a City vehicle,
unless in hands-free mode. It is a best practice to make all calls
while the vehicle is parked. Cell phone use needs to be kept to a
minimum while driving to avoid distractions, even in the hands-free
mode.
13.
Minimize all distractions while driving. This includes eating,
drinking and other electronic devices such as GPS systems. Texting
and operating a GPS system is prohibited by the driver when operating
any City vehicle.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. Conduct a visual check of the vehicle before each trip. Look for
oil leaks, tire inflation, light check, and overall condition of vehicle.
B. If any defects are found, notify supervisor to get fixed.
C. When backing up the vehicle the driver must walk around the area
to make sure they are clear of any obstacles or fixed objects.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. When employees and drivers are climbing into and out of trucks a
three-point contact concept of mounting and dismounting should be
followed.
B. Employees should stop and look before mounting or dismounting trucks
and equipment.
C. Do not climb on or use tires to access trailer or engine compartment.
D. Check the condition of the ground and climbing surfaces. Dirt, mud,
grease, snow, ice or other debris can make steps, handholds, ladders,
platforms, truck beds, bumpers, etc., dangerous and can lead to injuries.
E. Clean surfaces before mounting or dismounting equipment when possible.
Look and listen for other vehicles and equipment when exiting trucks.
F. When exiting trucks or equipment the following rules apply:
1.
Never jump from the cab or equipment.
2.
Maintain a three-point contact when exiting.
3.
Exit facing the truck, never exit facing away from the truck.
G. Three (3) points of contact are necessary at all times for employees
to maintain stability while getting in and out of a truck or other
equipment. To do this, a person must have a foot and two (2) hands
or two (2) feet and one (1) hand in contact with the ground, step,
and/or handhold at all times.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. Each company vehicle will be provided with the following:
5.
Reflective triangles/flares; and
6.
The St. Robert Police Department will investigate all vehicle
accidents.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
No modifications of any kind to a company vehicle will be made
without approval. The Mayor and/or the City Administrator are responsible
for reviewing and approving any requested or proposed modification.
Modifications will only be approved if the modification is for a legitimate
business reason and does not create an unsafe condition, does not
impair or circumvent any safety device, and will not distract the
driver from safe operation of the vehicle.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
Our vehicle maintenance program is intended to maximize the
life of our vehicles, to minimize operating costs and to reduce the
chance of a vehicle crash caused by the condition of a vehicle. All
employees involved in our vehicle operations are expected to help
keep our vehicles in good, safe operating condition and to report
any deficiencies.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. No City vehicle will be operated with known defects in vehicle systems
or components that are critical to safe operation of the vehicle.
These critical areas include, at a minimum:
1.
Brakes and brake systems.
2.
Brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers.
4.
Other components considered critical.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. Each vehicle will be inspected by the assigned driver per the schedule
set by the department head. The inspection will follow the list on
the vehicle inspection report. The employee will complete the vehicle
inspection report and turn in a copy to the mechanic supervisor for
the vehicle.
B. As part of his/her inspection, the employee will check the previous
weekly inspection report and verify that any critical defects identified
on that report were corrected.
C. If a critical defect is identified, the employee will immediately
notify the supervisor. Any critical defect must be corrected before
the vehicle is used for normal operations.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
All City vehicles are to be kept clean (interior and exterior)
and organized.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. A schedule will be established for each vehicle for service and preventive
maintenance. At a minimum, the vehicle manufacturer's recommended
service will be followed. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring
that each vehicle receives its regular preventive maintenance.
B. This preventive maintenance work will be performed by the Garage
Department or a service company.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
All vehicle repairs are to go to the Garage Department for repair
or final disposition.
[Ord. No. 3067 §§ 1,
3, 4-18-2017]
A. A record will be maintained on each vehicle by the Shop Supervisor.
This record will be identified by our vehicle number, vehicle identification
number, make/year and will include:
1.
Dates and vehicle mileage/hours of scheduled maintenance and
who performed.
2.
Dates of any repairs made, nature of the repairs and who completed
the repairs.
3.
Copies of drivers' inspection reports, including corrections
made as a result of those reports.