Outsource Practices & Policies OPP 0900-300.2 SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLES Introduction The purpose of this practice is to provide procedures for all employees of Outsource who drive on company business regardless of whether the vehicle is Company-owned or leased. It also applies to employees that drive their personal vehicles on company business and are being reimbursed for mileage driven. Scope The procedures in this practice are mandatory for all employees of. Responsibilities Each operator of a motor vehicle is responsible for being familiar with and observing the requirements of state, federal and local traffic laws as well as Outsource s policies and procedures that cover the safe operation of vehicles. Vehicle operators must exercise sound judgment since merely complying with the law is not always sufficient to ensure safe driving. Employees must have a valid driver's license for the type of vehicle to be operated, and keep the license(s) with them at all times while driving. Employees must report all arrests and traffic convictions to their company. Repeated traffic convictions or failure to report traffic accidents or convictions may result in disciplinary action. Employees are expected to follow the No-Smoking Policy in all Outsource vehicles. Eating or drinking while vehicle is in motion is prohibited. Defensive Driving Employees are responsible for driving defensively. Defensive drivers commit no driving errors themselves and make allowances for the lack of skill or improper driving practices of other drivers. Defensive drivers adjust their driving to compensate for unusual weather, road and traffic conditions, and are aware of any unsafe actions of pedestrians and other drivers. By being alert, they recognize the need for preventive action in advance and take the necessary precautions to prevent an accident. Defensive drivers know when to slow down, stop, or yield the right-of-way to avoid involvement. Do not take chances. To arrive safely is more important than to arrive on time. Drivers should be mentally and physically rested and alert prior to each trip. Drinking of alcoholic beverages while driving, or driving while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. Traffic laws must be obeyed. o Speed shall never be faster than a rate consistent with existing speed laws and road, traffic and weather conditions. Posted speed limits must be obeyed. Radar detectors are not authorized to be used in Company vehicles. o Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts o Never attempt to exercise the right-of-way; always let the other driver go first. o Keep to the right except when overtaking slow-moving vehicles, or when getting into a position to make left turn. o Never follow another vehicle so closely that you will not be able to make a safe stop under any conditions. o Turn signals must be used to show where you are heading: while going into traffic and before every turn or lane change.
Page 2 of 5 Remember, signaling intentions neither gives the driver the right of way, nor guarantees a safe lane change: Slow down and watch for children in school zones. When an address being looked for has been passed, do not back up or obstruct traffic by stopping or traveling too slowly. It is safer to circle the block or proceed forward to a place where a safe turnaround can be executed. Vehicle Inspections Employees are responsible for conducting daily inspections of housekeeping, maintenance and equipment defects of vehicles. Check your vehicle daily before each trip, and check the vehicle visually each time before driving. Check lights, tires, brakes, gauges, speedometer, and steering for proper operation. Adjust all rearview mirrors and remove any obstructions that may present a potential hazard. Do not place any materials or tools in operator s area. Loose items may cause injury if the vehicle is stopped quickly or involved in a minor accident. Store all equipment in the proper bins. Place computers behind seat or in floorboard. Visually check outside the vehicle for body damage. Any unreported damage to company vehicles will be the responsibility of the last driver. All drivers must promptly identify and report vehicle deficiencies and problems. A vehicle is not to be operated if the deficiency presents an unsafe condition. Vehicle Maintenance Employees driving Company vehicles are responsible for having the vehicle maintained and kept in good condition, including making minor repairs as they are discovered. The following conditions can warrant disciplinary action: Misuse of vehicles and equipment or failure to repair or report obvious defects that can have an adverse effect on the normal wear of the vehicle. Discovery of an unreported obvious defect that is a safety hazard. Misuse of Company Fleet Credit Card. The following practices must be followed by each individual operator: Obtain regular oil changes and fluid maintenance as per the vehicle maker maintenance schedule. Regularly check the pressure and rotate the tires as per the vehicle maker maintenance schedule. Maintain a clean vehicle. Exercise good housekeeping habits inside and outside of vehicle at all times. The driver is to use a company provided fleet card for the purchase of fuel, car wash, and oil changes only. Moreover, the credit card is to be used solely for the vehicle to which he/she were assigned. Interpretation Variances If there is any variance between this practice and local, state or Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, then the most-stringent interpretations apply.
Page 3 of 5 Unattended Vehicles Do not leave unattended vehicles parked in any location without shutting off the engine, removing the key(s), setting the emergency brake, rolling up the windows and locking all doors. An unattended vehicle is one in which the driver is: Not in the immediate zone visible to the vehicle Not engaged in work involving the vehicle In a position where it would be impossible for him/her to deter access to the vehicle by an unauthorized person(s). Home Garaging This practice allows employees designated by the Company, to be assigned a company vehicle that is to be taken home, parked and secured in a safe environment. This policy exists to alleviate the need for Outsource to provide or search out the means for additional storage in approved secure locations. It is the responsibility of each individual assigned a vehicle for home garaging to drive the vehicle directly to his/her place of residence after the last assignment of the day and to secure it. Company Vehicle Usage Parking Company vehicles are to be driven only by authorized drivers only. Persons not employeed by Outsource are not permitted to ride in company vehicles, unless their presence is required for the completion of company business. Outsource has a NO-PERSONAL-USE policy for company vehicles. No vehicle shall be operated at any time for personal use. Many accidents occur when backing out of parking spaces or driveways. Frequently, the vehicle can be positioned in such a way as to eliminate the need for backing. Employee discretion is allowed in deciding on how to back and park. The employee is expected to make the best defensive driving decision and able to explain and defend that decision. Backing is discouraged, but in some cases it may be the best, or even the only choice. Help should be utilized for guidance when available, and backing should be kept to a minimum. It is better to walk a few extra steps than to place yourself in a situation where you will have to back and increase the likelihood of an accident. When parking, pull-through spaces are first choice, with straight spaces the next choice. The driver should evaluate the situation when arriving at a straight parking space. If required, backing to the space should be done when arriving unless the space is very tight or has other extenuating circumstances. Parallel parking is more difficult and should be avoided, if possible. Angle parking is the most dangerous type of parking and should only be a last resort. It is generally best to choose a parking space that does not require backing. The use of private driveways should be avoided if possible. However, when driveways are used, the vehicle should be parked so that it can be driven forward upon leaving. Also, avoid parking directly across the street from a driveway. When two or more employees are in the same vehicle, one should get out and assist the driver if necessary to back the vehicle. This does not relieve the driver of any responsibility to avoid an accident. All drivers shall conduct a Circle of Safety. Safety cone(s) will be used and placed at the front and(or) the rear of the vehicle when parked. Before starting the vehicle and leaving the location, the driver is expected to walk completely around the vehicle to retrieve the safety
Page 4 of 5 Accidents cone(s) ensuring that the area is clear of any obstructions. After performing the Circle of Safety, check all mirrors and immediately pull away from the parking space. When parking the vehicle, the emergency brake shall be properly engaged and the engine shut off. The shift shall be in the park position for automatic transmissions and in either low or reverse for manual transmissions. The keys should be removed from the ignition and not left where they can be easily found. Avoid parking anywhere that may prevent free passage of traffic in both directions. When parking a Company vehicle, try to place the vehicle where it is not in danger of being struck. Park on the side of the road with the vehicle headed in the direction of travel. If construction or repair requires deviation from this procedure, take extra precautions and use warning devices. Driver Conduct At The Scene of An Accident To minimize the results of an accident, the driver must prevent further damages or injuries and obtain all pertinent information and report it accurately. What to do after an accident 1. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE OF INJURY AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT Pull onto shoulder or side of road, if possible. Actuate four-way flashers and place warning signals promptly and properly. Assist any injured person, but don't move them unless they are in danger of further injury. 2. CALL POLICE OR DIAL 911 If someone is injured, request medical assistance, or fire department, if needed. If the driver cannot get to a nearby phone, he/she should write a note giving location and seriousness of the accident and give it to a reliable-appearing motorist and ask him/her to notify police. The vehicle should not be left unattended except in extreme emergency. 3. EXCHANGE "TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXCHANGE INFORMATION" FORMS WITH OTHER DRIVER(S) The driver should give identifying information to the other party involved, but should make no comments about assuming responsibility. 4. SECURE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF WITNESSES Witnesses should be asked to complete a Witness Information Card. If there are no witnesses, the name and address of the first person to arrive at the scene should be obtained. 5. COMPLETE THE "DRIVER S REPORT OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT FORM Drivers should remember the following general rules for filling in the report: Print or write legibly. Follow instructions to the letter. Answer all questions completely. If unable to answer any question, mark "not known". Use additional sheets of paper if space is lacking for necessary information.
Page 5 of 5 6. REPORT THE ACCIDENT The driver is expected to report any accident to the company immediately or as soon as possible after it happens, no matter how minor.