Vehicle Safety Rules and Practices for Janitorial Employees

Safety is everyone's concern and should be a top priority for any cleaning company. We all want to provide a safe working environment for our janitorial employees. But what come to mind when you think of safety? Chemicals and safety data sheets, personal protective equipment, blood borne pathogens? Of course all of the above are important when it comes to workplace safety but what sometimes takes a back seat (no pun intended) to all others is vehicle safety.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “Every year the lives of approximately 1.25 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury.”

WHO also stated that: “Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to victims, their families, and to nations as a whole. These losses arise from the cost of treatment (including rehabilitation and incident investigation) as well as reduced/lost productivity (e.g. in wages) for those killed or disabled by their injuries, and for family members who need to take time off work (or school) to care for the injured.”

Most cleaning companies have employee that drive company vehicles. And if you don't, you probably will soon. In any case, you need to be prepared with a company policy as well as a safety policy that outlines and explains your expectations regarding driving company vehicles. After all, you want to protect your company and your most important asset, your employees.

Below are some vehicle safety rules and practices for janitorial employees you might consider covering in your policy and training:

1. You must have a current, valid driver's license. If your license expires or you lose it due to violations, you must report this to your supervisor immediately.
2. Only those employees who are specifically named on the vehicle's insurance policy are allowed to drive company vehicles. At no time shall the vehicle be used for anything other than business use. No passengers will be allowed to ride in the vehicles without management approval.
3. Maintain a three-point contact using both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand when climbing into and out of vehicles.
4. Keep company vehicles free of trash and other loose items.
5. Drive courteously. Company vehicles are traveling billboards. Your actions as a driver therefore, will reflect on the reputation and public image of the organization.
6. Obey all traffic laws and signals at all times. Allow plenty of travel time and discuss alternate routes with your supervisor during peak traffic times.
7. Drive defensively, wear your seatbelt and make sure all passenger(s) wear seat belts. Drive a company vehicle with constant alertness and care.
8. Never drive a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That includes any OTC (over the counter) medications that can cause drowsiness. If you are taking prescription drugs that may affect your driving ability, tell your supervisor.
9. Cell phones are not to be used while driving.
10. Do not drive over 10 MPH or posted speed limits in parking lots.
11. Moving violations or accidents that occur while driving company vehicles must be reported immediately to management.
12. Report any noises, dents, or other defects to your supervisor immediately.
13. Do not leave keys in an unattended vehicle.
14. Turn the vehicle off before fueling it.
15. Do not smoke while fueling a vehicle.
16. Wash your hands with soap and water if you spill gasoline on your hands.
17. Secure materials and equipment before driving. Cleaning equipment falling from or flying around in your vehicle not only damages the equipment, but can injure or even kill pedestrians, occupants or other motorists.
18. Never jump down from the bed of a pickup truck, tailgate, or loading ramp.
19. Lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
20. All mileage must be kept track of on a mileage log. List reason for each trip, starting miles, ending miles, and total miles.
21. Employees assigned to a vehicle may be given a charge card to use for refilling gas. This card is to be used to re-fuel the vehicle only. No personal use of the card is allowed. Personal use of the card is grounds for termination. If the card is lost or stolen it must be reported to management immediately.
22. The vehicle must be returned to the company at the end of the employee's work shift unless otherwise authorized by management.

It is your responsibility as a business owner to provide policies that govern the use of company vehicles and to provide vehicle safety information to protect employees from road traffic injuries and to ensure that they operate the vehicle in a safe manner.

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