'These tragic incidents are avoidable. Employers need expert guidance on how to identify and manage risks their workers face on the road.'
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has revised its standards for motor vehicle operations to better protect workers on the road.
ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations outlines industry best practices for the safe management and use of motor vehicles owned or operated by an organization.
The standard provides guidance to fleet managers and safety professionals for creating written programs and policies; enhancing safety through speed management and driver training; addressing impaired and distracted driving; implementing routine vehicle inspections and maintenance; and conducting proper incident reporting.
“The purpose of this standard is to provide organizations with a document for the development of policies, procedures and management processes to control risks associated with the operation of motor vehicles. While this standard is not intended to replace regulations or other requirements for your organization, full implementation will improve your fleet’s safety performance,” said the ASSP.
The revised standard strengthens requirements for incident reporting and analysis, and includes modifications that address today’s vehicles, technologies and operating environments
“This safety standard is significant because motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related fatalities,” said ASSP President Pam Walaski. “These tragic incidents are avoidable. Employers need expert guidance on how to identify and manage risks their workers face on the road.”
The Z15.1 subcommittee that revised the standard consisted of 11 safety and health experts from insurance, academia, government and other fields. The inclusive process took 2½ years.
Voluntary consensus standards provide the latest expert guidance and fill gaps where federal standards don’t exist. Companies rely on them to drive improvement, injury prevention and sustainability. With government regulations being slow to change and often out of date, federal compliance is not sufficient to protect workers
“The best way to manage workplace hazards and keep workers safe is to incorporate a structured, proactive approach that assesses risks, identifies system gaps and implements best practices,” Walaski added.
