Module 01: Safety Proficiency/Hazard Awareness

Module Objectives:

Understanding the basic foundation of being safe and why safety is important to the trainee and the company.
  Description Media
 

Acquaint

 Share a near miss that almost resulted in a bad crash and what was learned from that experience that made you a safer driver.  
 

Activate

 

 

 Ask the trainee what he/she thinks is necessary to be safe. Provide feedback then review Definition of Safety: Safety is the identification of potential hazards associated with the performance of your job and taking the necessary action to either 1) eliminate the hazard or; 2) minimize it.  
 

Anchor

 

 

 Share an experience about when you proactively avoided a crash by applying the definition of safety. Have trainee do the same.

 

Review with trainee: that based on our crash history, we know what we need to do to avoid crashes. We classify crashes into two types: on-road and off-road (parking lot, truck stop, etc.). Trainees initially have more off-road crashes then experienced drivers, but they CAN be avoided.

 

Review with Trainee the key actions to avoid major on-road crashes:

1) don’t drive fatigued; 2) don’t drive distracted; 3) maintain safe speed for conditions; 4) maintain proper following distance always; 5) daily equipment inspection.

Key actions to avoid off-road crashes:

1) Get Out And Look! (G.O.A.L)—several times if necessary; 2) don’t forget you have a 53’ trailer behind you; 3) go slow, don’t rush; 4) get your rest because when you’re tired, you cut corners.

 

Show trainee during first few days of training and reinforce throughout training duration) how to do a proper pre—trip, how to maneuver in tight areas and how to maintain proper following distance and speed for conditions.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Apply

 

 

 Have the trainee play “what if” while driving.

Playing “What if” is similar to demonstration driving in Smith System except this exercise is training your mind (muscle memory) how to react if that “what if” situation were to occur. The result is like the police officer involved in a dangerous situation and survives and afterwards says “my training just took over”.

 

Example: As you drive state: “What if that other driver does ___________. This is how I would react.”

This is an exercise you can practice each time you’re behind the wheel.

 

SHOW: Demonstrate to the trainee how the technique is used

 TELL

 

 

 

 

SHOW