McCormick Creates New Safety Initiative

McCormick Launches New Safety Initiative

McCormick Trucking has launched the most comprehensive safety initiative in its history with the objective of setting the standard for safety in its class. “For drivers, the ideal work environment not only treats them with dignity and respect, it also provides the safest conditions possible,” said company Founder and President Bob McCormick.

According to McCormick the new initiative will focus on three key areas: Safe equipment, safe drivers and accident management.

Safe Equipment

McCormick maintains a fleet of hundreds of trucks at facilities throughout the Southeast and Midwest. As a dedicated mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, McCormick Trucking already meets extensive standards for maintenance, licensing and regulation. To build on this, McCormick is planning:

• a system-wide reevaluation of its maintenance procedures and personnel;
• an expansion of its current maintenance and repairs recordkeeping with additional fleet-performance metrics that will further help evaluate risk; and
• a renewed commitment to pre-trip inspections and in-route driver assessments that can provide early detection of potential risk factors.

Safe Drivers

• Implementing an expansive HR program (including a first-ever social media campaign) aimed at hiring and retaining experienced, safety-oriented drivers;
• Scheduling additional orientation and training focused on safety and accident/injury prevention, and particularly the importance of pre-trip inspections and defensive driving skills;
• Promoting driver wellness to mitigate fatigue and stress that can affect concentration, decision-making and response times;
• Instituting a driver Safety Incentive Program that will be rolled out in 2015; and
• Strictly enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for serious traffic violations.

Accident Management

Even with all these precautions, accidents on the road are inevitable. McCormick will continue to promote full transparency at such times. The company will also expand training of all personnel to promote thoroughness that will enable drivers and equipment to return to the road in optimal condition.

To implement this new initiative and broaden its culture of safety, McCormick hired a full-time Safety Officer in early 2014. This new hire has made a huge difference for employees and drivers, bringing years of experience in the trucking and insurance industries to bear on this new set of responsibilities.

The key to good driving is an awareness of both the big and small elements in the environment, as well as the training to be proactive about avoiding or mitigating any risk factors. This is the perfect metaphor for our safety initiative—by making sure we’re focusing on the right details across McCormick’s entire system, we are ensuring that McCormick has one of the most enviable safety records in the business now.