Staff Electric Co, Inc. Fleet Safety – Winter Driving 1

Overview of Topic Medical facilities gear up each year at this time. “ It’s almost like everyone forgets how to drive when the snow hits again,” one emergency room doctor was heard to say. “People forget that they have to cut their speed in half to be safe.” You can safely drive your way through another Wisconsin winter if you and your car are properly prepared. Before the storm - Winterizing your car could keep you out of an accident. In fact the chances of being involved in a car crash are highest in November and December because people do not prepare their cars and they fail to adjust their driving behavior. So, have your exhaust system, battery, heater, defroster, wiper blades, washer fluid, emergency signals, headlights, tires and brakes checked. All season radial tires are a good bet for safe winter handling. But don’t use studded tires (they’re illegal) and don’t deflate your tires thinking you’ll get better traction (you won’t). If you have anti-lock brakes, make sure you’re familiar with the way they operate. Refer to your owner’s manual. Keep your gas tank as full as possible to help prevent gas line freeze-up. When temperatures drop, use gas line de-icer in your gas tank. Just in case - Winterize your vehicle’s safety kit. The kit should include some special additions, such as a blanket, a small shovel to dig out snow, sand to help get traction if needed, a flashlight, a first aid kit, jumper cables, ice scraper/brush, lock de-icer and warm clothing. Respect the winter weather - The number one cause of winter driving accidents is people driving too fast. Use extra caution in warming temperatures because ice can be wet at 30°, and twice as slippery as “dry” ice at 0°. Plan extra time for a trip in the winter. A trip that might take 30 minutes in May might take you 45 minutes or an hour in the winter. Safety belts are a necessity for safe winter driving. Always keep your headlights, taillights and windows clear of snow and ice so you can see and be seen.

Toolbox Safety Talks Fleet Safety: Winter Weather Driving

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Winter driving tips - • Follow the 3 - second rule. After the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object,

you should be able to count three seconds before your vehicle passes the same object. Add one second for each driving condition that deteriorates. This increased margin of safety in front will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop suddenly.

• Use extra caution when approaching curves, hills, before making turns and when driving from a well traveled highway to a less traveled highway.

• Before driving up a snowy or slick hill, build momentum to help you climb, and avoid going down the other side too quickly.

• Avoid SUV overconfidence. The bigger the vehicle, the tougher it is to stop. While a sport utility vehicle might get through some tough conditions more easily, it won’t stop more quickly, and it may roll over if you take a turn too fast.

Controlling a skid - “When you lock your brakes, you’re not driving, you’re sledding. Wet, snowy and icy roads call for a gentle touch on the brake and steering wheel,” Lt. Jerry Zuhlsdorf, Wisconsin State Patrol. Skids happen fast, so you have to act fast to get out of one. Whether you have front wheel or rear wheel drive, your goal is the same: • Without jerking your steering wheel, steer first in the direction you want the front of the

car to go. This will keep the vehicle from skidding out of control. • As the car comes out of the skid, straighten the wheels or steer slightly in the opposite

direction. • With a rear wheel drive, take your foot off the accelerator. With a front wheel drive,

maintain a steady pressure. • When you have control of the car, brake very gently. Strategies for the stuck and stalled - If you’re in snow, break out the shovel and clear a path for your drive wheels. Gently try to drive forward without spinning your wheels. If you start to spin, you’ve lost traction. Try rocking your car back and forth by gently driving from forward to reverse. Place sand under your drive wheels and then try driving straight out. Alcohol related vehicle accidents - At this time of year, there are more intoxicated operators on the road because of the holiday festivities. At least 30% of the winter driving crashes that lead to visits to the local emergency room involve alcohol. Remember that you have less reaction time in hazardous conditions – don’t drink and drive.

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Defuse Road Rage – One-fourth of the drivers in a recent AAA survey admitted that they have expressed anger at other drivers. To avoid becoming a road-rage statistic, leave more room between yourself and other drivers. Stay out of the left lane if you’re going slow and don’t play games on the road. When you are driving a Staff vehicle, you are representing Staff Electric. Questions • Are Staff vehicles equipped with an accident report kit in the glove compartment? Discuss all job site specific exposures and necessary control measures

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Fleet Safety – Winter Driving Sign-Off Sheet This sign-off sheet documents the employees who have taken part in a training session on Fleet Safety – Winter Driving. Completed sign off sheets need to be faxed (414) 781-1680 or mailed to Staff Electric’s Director of Safety and Health. Foreman: Date of Training :

Job Location:

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Employee Signature