LIFELINE

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Alert Today ... Alive Tomorrow by Ellie Schneider, Claims Manager Did you know that driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes? Nearly 80% of crashes and 65% of nearcrashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the event. This may seem like plain old common sense to you, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has spent decades and dollars studying driver distraction. Committing to driving distraction-free is not easy. But, with statistics backing up the fact that distractions increase the likelihood of an accident, many drivers are making an effort. Many states have also taken steps to minimize and/or eliminate behind-the-wheel distractions. For instance, while New Hampshire doesn’t require adult motorists to wear seat belts, it does ticket drivers for eating, drinking, talking on the cell phone or fussing with their makeup while behind the wheel. Some states prohibit drivers from watching television and others have laws about using cell phones. F O C U S O N S A F E T Y • Checking out the new building going up • Looking for a parking place • Looking at overhead power lines • Watching road crews working The first step to eliminating driver distraction is to avoid multitasking behind the wheel so you can give your undivided attention to the task of driving. Human attention is naturally limited and we can be conscious of only a few bits of information at a time. Attempting to balance your checkbook during the morning commute is just asking for trouble! 1 2 There are many things inside a vehicle to distract a driver. Some examples are: • Climate controls to adjust • CDs and tapes to insert or eject • Radio dials to fiddle with • Cell phones to answer • Beverages to be gulped • Email messages to respond to • Maps to read • Two-way radios to answer • Navigation systems to consult • Make up to apply and faces to be shaved! Distractions outside of your vehicle include: • Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, flashing headlights, and honking • Fatigue, which significantly decreases driver attention • Misjudging the dangers of a potential accident • Gawking at a fender-bender • Noting the “1/3 Off” sign in the shoe store window If you have to eat and drive, a two-handed burger with lots of toppings is probably not a good choice. Eating If you have to eat on the go, prepare simple finger foods. If you patronize fast food restaurants, avoid the drive-through. Instead, go in and eat at a table. It’s not that much slower and is less distracting. Drinking Drinks should be in closed, spill-proof containers. Make sure they fit your beverage holders and use a straw.
F O C U S O N S A F E T Y Cell Phones A cell phone transforms your car into a mobile phone booth. If you insist on making it a rolling phone booth here are some thoughts: • Use a hands-free device for the phone and keep your hands on the wheel. • Understand it is the conversation itself, not the phone that is distracting. Keep it light and short. • Phone use of any kind slows your reaction time thus lengthening braking time; so allow other cars more space! Aggressive Driving If the route you travel is full of frustrations, such as congestion, construction, etc., find an alternate route. Pay attention to road message signs providing information about upcoming driving conditions to further lower frustrations. In closing, I leave you with the simple but wise words of the late Jim Morrison, “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel!” Safety Performance Evaluation Process by Scott Palmer, Safety Specialist, Region 472 he Safety Performance T Evaluation is the process that all Nelson Tree Service line clearance tree trimmers must complete to gain their LCTT certification. LCTT certification is awarded when an employee completes and passes a detailed written examination, as well as proves themselves in the field as having the necessary skills and knowledge for the job classification for which they are applying. The evaluation process has six steps. The first step is the Safety Orientation Program (SOP). The SOP begins the first day of employment and is designed to acquaint the new employee with the equipment, tools and PPE to be worn for each task performed. This is also the time when the new hire will be familiarized with all manuals and their locations (i.e. MSDS, Forepersons Manual, RPM, etc.). The crewleader leads this training each day for the first five days of the new employee’s employment. As each task is completed, the crewleader and the new employee will initial each box necessary on a daily basis. Immediately upon completion of the SOP, the general foreperson will give the new employee their first written examination. This procedure is the same, whether you are a new hire with no LCTT experience or a 20-year LCTT veteran. Each new hire starts with the grounds person test. If the experienced LCTT is being hired on as a crewleader, all four written examinations and one field evaluation must be completed. The inexperienced employee will need to complete the first examination and a field evaluation. As employees gain experience and knowledge, they may progress through the remaining examinations and field evaluations and be eligible for other positions when they become available. continued on page 14 1 3
Page 1 and 2: LIFELINE W i n t e r 0 8 N E W S A
Page 3 and 4: F RO M T H E P R E S I D E N T LOU
Page 5 and 6: F O C U S O N S A F E T Y Regardles
Page 7 and 8: F O C U S O N S A F E T Y Avoid Ele
Page 9 and 10: F O C U S O N S A F E T Y The MSDS
Page 11: F O C U S O N S A F E T Y Nelson’
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Page 17 and 18: N E W S F RO M T H E F I E L D Nati
Page 19 and 20: Take our Readership Survey and win!
Page 21 and 22: S PA N S O F S E R V I C E Nelson w
Page 23 and 24: S PA N S O F S E R V I C E Tom Ryan
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Page 29 and 30: OUR GENERAL FOREMEN GF of the Month
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Page 33 and 34: S A F E T Y P RO G R A M S Voluntar
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