Safety in Distribution

Whether you provide a third party logistics service or strictly a warehouse service where you are responsible for the distribution of the product, then you are now responsible for driver safety issues.

Congratulations, you are now responsible for not only safety training but also the general public. Now you will have the obligation to set up protocol to ensure that proper processes are followed.

Several steps that you may want to consider are the following:

• Get a Department of Motor Vehicles print out of the employee’s driving record. Check for traffic violation or worse such as conviction for drunk driving
• Verify training received for his or her Commercial Driver’s License
• Conduct a background check that could indicate any conviction for drug abuse or theft that could potentially affect the individual’s ability to do his or her job
• Conduct random drug screens by an authorized clinic that will handle the chain of custody forms and the reading come from a physicians, so that the clinic can further investigate the reason for the positive drug screen and you as the employer will not be accused of discrimination or tampering with the specimen
• Continuous safety training is important to ensure that incidents of accidents are kept at a minimum
• Institute a rewards program for low accident rates

By taking proper precautions, you will help ensure that your accident rating is kept at a minimum and the health and safety of the general public. Work with your human resources department to institute a policy plan.