29 January 2016 - By Eugene Herbert
Hi Folks…
We are almost 1/12th into the year and,
if we haven’t already done so in 2015, noted what we will be doing in 2016 to
reduce crashes and fatalities in our organisations.
Listed as the most wanted by NTSB
(National Transportation Safety Board in Washington), for safety improvements,
is the need to reduce fatigue related crashes in 2016
It highlighted fatigue-related crashes
along with nine other pressing issues for transportation safety in its annual
list. In addition to reducing fatigue-related crashes, NTSB’s new issues for
2016 are:
> Improve
rail transit safety oversight.
> Promote
availability of collision-avoidance technologies in highway vehicles.
>
Strengthen occupant protection.
> Expand
the use of recorders. (camera’s)
> Promote
completion of rail safety initiatives (combining 2015 issues of implementing
positive train control and improving rail tank car safety).
The list also includes four return
issues from 2015:
>
Disconnect from deadly distractions.
> Prevent
loss of control in flight in general aviation.
> End
substance impairment in transportation.
> Require
medical fitness for duty.
While our cars are safer and smarter
than ever before, we continue to lose (35,000 people in the US) too many each
year in car crashes, and while Government may be responsible, we collectively
drive road safety. In South Africa – from a training perspective – MasterDrive
has identified the following major issues as needing attention:
> Not
complying with road rules
>
Distracted While Driving
> Drink
Driving
> Fatigue
&
> Lack of
driving skills due, to a large extent, the high incidence of fraudulent driving
licences.
Much of that which applies to SA can of
course be addressed by proper enforcement but let’s not forget adequate risk
policies supported by proper training initiatives – for either feel free to
mail me.
Till next time - Commit to identifying
what your own/company’s risks are and act upon them.
Eugene Herbert
