While the dangers in construction are apparent, they can be difficult to control in constantly changing work environments. In order to protect workers from potential hazards, construction companies must make safety a top priority. It’s important to provide workers with continuous training and education along with the proper safety gear to prevent injury and illness. Performing regular jobsite and equipment inspections is also imperative to improving safety and preserving the health of workers.
Along with jobsite safety, contractors and construction business owners should consider the dangers posed when workers are driving to and from worksites. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatalities in the workplace—more than fires, explosions, trips, falls, and equipment combined. To ensure workers are safe behind the wheel, construction companies can utilize a GPS fleet tracking solution with a complete suite of safety features.
TRACKING DRIVER BEHAVIOR
GPS fleet tracking technology can help to pinpoint aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and sudden cornering. This can help to improve visibility into driver behavior and determine if employees are following company policies and the rules of the road. Real-time alerts provide contractors with instant notification via email if employees are speeding or driving aggressively. This allows contractors to quickly identify and address issues, reducing the risk of potential dangers.
Automated reports provide extensive detail and context around driver behavior and can be run for any timeframe desired. This allows contractors to identify repeat offenders and hold them accountable. Being able to monitor the specifics around driver behavior also helps to determine the areas that need improvement and the type of coaching necessary to transform unsafe driving habits. Contractors can set up subscriptions to have reports automatically sent to them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, adding an extra level of convenience.
Distracted driving is a major concern among construction fleets. To maintain company policies regarding cell phone use in vehicles and ensure driver safety, contractors can utilize a distracted driving solution. Certain GPS fleet tracking providers offer a solution that uses a unique Bluetooth trigger unit coupled with a mobile application on a cell phone to prevent workers from calling, texting, emailing, and surfing the web while driving. Once the vehicle returns to a safe state, all functions are enabled so employees can use their cell phones. Eliminating cell phone use can help to prevent fines and meet regulations.
MONITORING MAINTENANCE
If workers are driving company vehicles, it’s important that they are properly maintained and safe to operate. Brake pads, tire tread, and tire pressure can all contribute to a vehicle not being able to stop in the event of an accident. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), more than 10 percent of all at-fault truck crashes can be attributed specifically to vehicle issues. Unfortunately for business owners, keeping track of vehicle maintenance can be time consuming without the proper solution.
An automated maintenance module simplifies the process and eliminates the need to keep track of paper logs and schedules. When it’s time for upkeep and repairs, contractors can receive an instant alert via email. This “set it and forget it” method ensures preventive maintenance is occurring consistently and on schedule. Maintenance logs allow contractors to view details of services performed on one screen and reports drill down for a more in-depth look at maintenance and fleet activity. This helps to extend the life of vehicles and improve the safety of employees and other motorists on the roadways.
In the event that issues arise, such as vehicle breakdowns or crashes, construction businesses should have a way to quickly locate their workers and send help. Utilizing a GPS fleet tracking solution, contractors can simply log into the platform and pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle. If workers get lost, contractors can locate them and instantly reroute them with voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. This helps to improve safety and provides employees in both the office and field with peace of mind.
TRAINING SOLUTIONS
In addition to jobsite safety training, it’s vital to train employees on driver safety best practices. Online driver education courses can help to promote responsible driving and improve behavior over time. Online training can be a valuable resource for construction businesses as it can be difficult to set up in-house sessions that meet everyone’s schedules. Workers can take courses at their own pace and choose from a variety of topics, such as aggressive driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving. Providing continuous education helps to reduce risk and demonstrates that the company values safety.
With a comprehensive GPS fleet tracking solution, construction companies can keep workers safe, modify driver behavior, reduce accidents, and improve the safety of their fleet and company reputation. As an added bonus, certain auto insurance providers even offer discounts of anywhere from 5 to 15 percent to businesses that use GPS fleet tracking technology to improve safety. On or off the jobsite, it’s important that contractors take a proactive approach to safety and make it a top priority. ■
About The Author: Steve Pitsos is vice president of operations at NexTraq. He brings extensive enterprise operations and business development experience to his role. NexTraq’s applications—Fleet Dispatch, Fleet Metrics, and NexTraq Connect—deliver real-time data needed to optimize fleet operations. For more information on the NexTraq Fleet Tracking solution, call 800.358.6178, or visit www.nextraq.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions, June 2015
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