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Accent on SAFETY

9th March 1951, Page 41
9th March 1951
Page 41
Page 41, 9th March 1951 — Accent on SAFETY
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

How a Canadian Haulage Company having Over 450 Vehicles Keeps Down Accidents and Maintains Good Relations with its Staff

EW roads, better vehicles and greater business opportunity have promoted the rapid expanof the Canadian road transport stry which has taken place since the of the war and, concomitantly, the I-safety problem has become more nt. Responsible and competent must be in control of the 20-ton ulated vehicles that operate along Dominion's highways at speeds of 3 m.p.h.

ie of the biggest Canadian hauliers, ;sway Transports, Ltd., Montreal, is ly conscious of the importance of y and has pioneered an education me not only for its own drivers, but he general public as well. The corn' runs more than 450 vehicles— ors, trailers and rigid lorries—on ts from Montreal to Toronto, Litton, Ottawa, Quebec, Sherbrooke, :yfield and other centres.

Exacting Tests 1r the past few years, a scheme has in existence whereby all prospecdrivers have had to pass exacting al and physical tests before being accepted. When a man applies for st as a driver, his personal habits ;eriously considered. He requires references, with particular emphan temperance. After passing his cal examination, he is put through ies of aptitude tests.

ict discipline is imposed by the 'any. For instance, the penalty for g unauthorized lifts is dismissal. ition of speed limits is not tolerated Irivers pay their own fines if con1—an effective restraint. Drivers always show absolute courtesy on oads.

ng-distance drivers, who work on routes as that from Montreal to nto, a distance of about 350 miles, ly work at night. The company is ent that they get enough sleep. len they arrive at Montreal or ato, they uncouple their tractors, leir daily inspection forms for pre,re maintenance and make for the ng quarters in the terminal ing. Shower baths are provided for their use and the company has 1 that moderate investment in wellas paid big dividends. Driving conditions and attendant difficulties vary more in' Canada than in most countries. Special techniques are required for driving in blizzards, rain or sleet, or across icy or snowy surfaces. Ice glare is the hazard most feared by drivers. Nowadays, the weather seldom stops them, but if a man considers a road unfit for safe driving, he may use his own discretion about stopping: he is not duty-bound, in such circumstances, to follow a rigid schedule.

In Montreal, where the company's rigid lorries and platform trailers handle large quantities of export and import goods, a reserve of long-distance drivers has been built up. This has also been done to a smaller extent at Toronto and Hamilton. To the local men, a long-distance job is the height of ambition, for the pay is higher and employment can be regarded as steadier.

Driver-selection and accident-prevention have been carried further by the labour-management committee which was set up in 1949 at the instigation of the Department of Labour. A testdrivers' committee was set up, consisting of 10 drivers of articulated vehicles and 10 drivers of rigid vehicles. They were instructed on methods of examining drivers, accident prevention and related subjects.

Each test driver was put in charge of a number of other men and his duties included investigating accidents with the drivers involved, pointing out how they could have been avoided, testing men on points of driving with which they might have difficulty, such as backing or turning, and circulating the results of committee meetings.

The most successful part of the testdriver scheme was in the examination of new drivers. Each applicant had to spend at least half a day with a test driver on a regular run and this gave the tester an opportunity to see how well the man drove and how well he knew the delivery procedure. The test driver also briefed the new men on what to do in the case of accidents or any other emergency.

An accident-investigation committee was also formed, comprising any three available test drivers. When a driver reports an accident he has to take three test drivers with him to lay the responsibility and to recommend wh t penalties, if any, should be put on him. If a man has a number of mishaps in backing, the test driver in charge of his group examines his driving and offers suggestions on how he could avoid that type of accident.

Examined in Traffic

Results of tests in traffic are printed and each test driver fills in a form for each new driver he examines. The committee adopted the definition of an accident as given by the Ontario Safety League and responsibility for accidents is laid, as far as possible, according to that definition.

As a result of suggestions made by the committee, new notice boards were made and road-safety posters put up. A more efficient system for checking repairs was devised and regular reports were submitted to the garage. The problem of absenteeism was also dealt with by the committee and a closer check instituted.

The labour-management committee consists of seven representatives from each side of the undertaking and a secretary. Two chairmen. one from labour and one from management, alternate at successive meetings, and with one other deputy from each side form a steering committee. Meetings are held every three weeks. Publicity is handled by trade-union executives, and from time to time literature from the Department of Labour in Ottawa is received and distributed.


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