Great West Casualty Company Blog

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Entries related to: operations-personnel

Going from Moment to Momentum

How does a company go from that “Ah-ha!” moment where they are all jazzed up about a new idea that will revolutionize the company to actually making it happen? This conundrum is common in the realm of safety especially when a company realizes what it needs to do, like instilling a culture that values safety, but then does not know how to achieve it. Those “Ah-ha!” moments can be fleeting if one does not act swiftly and purposely to build momentum and make their idea a reality.
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Driver Safety Meetings: To Conduct or Not To Conduct

There are many motor carriers that are either unable or unwilling to bring their drivers together for collective, formal safety meet-ings. Reasons for this include; operational tempo (24/7 customer service requirements), a geographically diverse or remotely do-miciled driver force, and use of all independent contractor drivers.
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Ask A Safety Representative

Can a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) be operated in “off-duty” status as a mode of personal transportation as long as it is not loaded and the driver is not under dispatch?
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Implementing a Post-Crash Investigation Process

Root-cause analysis can certainly be effective at determining the true underlying causes of accidents, but it often consumes more resources than small organizations are able to muster. When a crash occurs, it is often initially unclear as to why it happened. There are usually different accounts of the events leading up to the crash, almost always biased by perspective. Sorting through this dilemma can be a daunting task. Some folks might be tempted to chalk it up to simply calling it an “accident,” and then refuse to look any deeper into the event. But a detailed insight into a crash’s cause can be incredibly valuable to a motor carrier, both in terms of loss prevention and bottom-line dollars, and it does not need to take up too much of your valuable time.
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Preventing Cargo Thefts

Cargo thefts continue to rise and while the vast majority involve a stationary or unattended truck, fictitious pick-ups and impersonating a legitimate motor carrier or broker continues to occur. Thefts involving the impersonation of a motor carrier typically begin with a broker listing a load on an internet board. A seemingly legitimate motor carrier responds, but in reality, it is a thief that is impersonating a legitimate motor carrier.
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Drink Up!

Thirst is the mind’s way of telling the body to drink water.  After feeling thirsty, a person may start experiencing headaches, nausea, and vomiting.  These symptoms could require medical attention that could have been avoided by keeping the body hydrated.
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Powerful Pennies: The Importance of Investing and Sticking With It

Would you rather have $1,000,000 right now in your checking account with no strings attached? Or, would you rather have a single penny?
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Near-Miss Reporting

Near-Miss Reporting systems have been a part of successful safety management programs for several years. They have been used in the aviation industry to collect close call reports from pilots, flight attendants. and air traffic controllers. The National Fire Fighter Near­Miss Reporting System was established in 2005. Near-Miss Reports are used in the healthcare industry to help ensure safe operating procedures and treatment practices. Other terms for near misses are "near hit" and close call.
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FMCSA Delays Unified Registration System Until January 14, 2017

The FMCSA announced last week they will be delaying the implementation of the Unified Registration System (URS) from September 30, 2016 until January 2017. The three-month delay is due to the substantial upgrades to the agency’s information technology systems and the process of moving millions of records to remote storage servers.
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Control Environmental Workplace Hazards

As regulatory and legal constraints continue to adversely impact the motor carrier industry, today's trucking executives must explore new risk management approaches to protect the organization's assets and profitability. Preventing or mitigating personal injuries is crucial in controlling the ever-increasing workers' compensation costs.
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