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Loss Lessons
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CELL PHONE OUT OF REACH
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PestSure Members,
In a recent PestSure claim, a technician driver was between
stops driving on a 4 lane divided roadway at the posted speed
limit of 55 miles per hour. Earlier in the route, his cell
phone had slid off the seat and was on the floorboards of
the truck.
The phone rang and when the driver attempted to retrieve the
phone from the floorboards, he dropped a wheel off the shoulder
of the road. The driver attempted to pull the vehicle back
onto the roadway while continuing his forward motion. The
vehicle flipped over and came to rest in the median between
the two roads. The driver was injured and the truck was a
total loss.
When driving, it is important to maintain focus on the task.
In this accident, the driver should have never attempted to
retrieve his cell phone when it rang. The phone should not
have been retrieved until he stopped. Once the driver dropped
a wheel off the shoulder of the road, correction back onto
the road should have only been attempted once the vehicle
was brought to a stop.
Lesson:
- Discuss procedures for handling your vehicle when
dropping a wheel off the shoulder, with all company drivers.
- Refresh your drivers on the importance of keeping
the task of driving top of mind at all times.
- Review your mobile phone use policy to be certain
it details your expectations that drivers do not engage
in phone use while actively driving a vehicle.
Please discuss this very serious accident with all of your
drivers. Review phone use options with them and reiterate
the hazards associated with the in-cab distraction of cell
phone use
Linda Midyett
Area Manager
Safety and Loss Prevention, PestSure
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
14241 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75254
972.663.6199
800.326.6203 |
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