Proforma Safety Blog

Backing Up Safely with Rear View Cameras

Posted by proforma on January 5, 2011  |  No Comments

 Have you had a backup camera installed on your vehicles? Starting in 2012, proposed legislation would mandate car manufacturers to begin phasing in backup cameras with 100 percent compliance by 2014. Older vehicles will require aftermarket products, of which there are several.

Whether used on business or personal cars, SUVs or trucks, the benefits are obvious: fewer injuries, deaths and damage due to backup accidents which number 300 deaths, 18,000 injuries each year. Not to mention reducing your insurance rates.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined the camera should provide visibility extending five feet from either side and 20 feet back from the rear end of the car. The backup system should also meet minimum standards for night vision, preferably with the use of infrared LEDs.

Consumer Reports offers an assessment on car backup camera systems, but you’ll need to subscribe to view their review. Other sources of information are http://www.carbackupcameras.org/ ,  http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rearview-camera3.htm and http://www.bing.com/search?q=backup+bumper+cameras&form=MSMONY.
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UPS Driver Refused to Drive Unsafe Vehicle

Posted by proforma on June 1, 2010  |  No Comments

A UPS driver was fired after his refusal to drive a truck he reported as unsafe due to inoperable lights on the trailer and tractor. OSHA has ordered United Parcel Service to pay the driver $111,008 in back wages, benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney’s fees. OSHA published details in this release.

How to Make Highway Construction Zones Safer

Posted by proforma on June 1, 2010  |  No Comments

“Doubling fines against motorists through work zones is a glorified version of a roadside speed trap – the tactic is geared toward collecting ticket revenue, but does not address the real safety issues.”

EHS Today dispels two common myths about highway construction projects and increased accidents: (1) that construction workers have the highest risk of serious injury, and (2) that vehicular traffic is the major cause. The truth is that motorists and passengers suffer considerably more fatalities, and better traffic routing through the construction zone would decrease accidents.

Is Your Organization at Risk Due to Its “Grey” Fleet?

Posted by proforma on April 15, 2010  |  No Comments

Using employee-owned vehicles for company business is a growing trend, says a recent article co-authored by Aon Global Risk Consulting and Risk & Insurance® magazine. This “hidden or grey” fleet presents liability exposure to the organization, although many do not realize this to be the case. Because of increased costs, many organizations no longer offer company-owned vehicles to employees. Unfortunately, even though employee vehicles are not owned by the company, if an accident occurs, the employee’s automobile liability policy only offers the first line of coverage of $300,000 or less. If damages exceed this level, then the organization’s policy would be involved. Successful management of the risks associated with this ”hidden fleet” risk involves identifying routine drivers and establishing safety processes similar to those for company vehicle operators. Setting mandatory road safety standards is the first step, and may include requirements to drive rested and alert, wear mobile phones or other electronic devices, attend accredited defensive driving courses, employ vehicle monitoring and data recording systems and keep vehicles well maintained.  The full article, “World Class Fleet Safety,” is available on the Risk and Insurance website.  A white paper “World Class Fleet Safety Process,” is available at http://www.aon.com.

Do You Know Where Your Headrest Should Be Positioned?

Posted by proforma on January 12, 2010  |  No Comments

Failing to set your headrest correctly is as bad as not having one. If they’re correctly positioned, headrests can help prevent whiplash injuries, which cause long-term health problems and possibly, death. (See related story.) Hyperextension over the top of the headrest can occur if the headrest is positioned too low.

To correctly position your headrest, first adjust your seat to a comfortable position without angling too far back or leaning forward. Position your headrest no more than 2-3 inches behind your head. Make sure the headrest is no lower than the top of your head.

Text This: Get Off the Phone

Posted by proforma on January 12, 2010  |  No Comments

More people in the U.S. have died in ONE year from accidents due to texting than those that have died in the Middle East conflict since 2003.

A study published by The University of Utah, “Text Messaging During Simulated Driving,” based on simulated driving situations, reports that drivers who text are six times more likely to have a vehicle incident than those using a cell phone.

Proforma Safety Has Eyes that “See” Around Every Blind Spot

Posted by proforma on August 3, 2009  |  No Comments

Looking for the latest and best technology to ensure transport safety? In this interview, Mike Arnold, President of Safety Vision technologies they use to ensure safe transport. Safety Vision has also published a post on its blog, a slideshow and still shots of the equipment installed on the Proforma escort vehicle.

Teen Driver Crashes Affect More Than the Driver and Passengers

Posted by proforma on June 26, 2009  |  No Comments

Everyone benefits from safer teen drivers. This report documents a startling statistic: for every teen driver killed, nearly two others are also killed.

While Government statistics typically report teen drivers and their passengers who have died in motor vehicle crashes, there are other people who lose their lives as a result, such as drivers and passengers of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

The data presented in the report are based on analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from years 1998 through 2007 on fatal motor vehicle crashes.

Only 33% of parents think teenages are good drivers, says this article in the New York Times. Unfortunately, 88 percent trust their own teenagers to drive safely, and 55 percent say that if their children got into an accident, it would be someone else’s fault.

A compelling video, Please Drive Safely, is available in the right column on this page to help drive home the message about teen driving safety.