OTA Dispatch Issue 2, 2021

4 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch FROM THE PRESIDENT Jana Jarvis OTA President/CEO SAFETY— what does that word mean to you? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing harm, injury, or loss” which can incorporate not only the physical requirements of an activity, but the financial and mental consequences of actions that cause harm. In the business community, according to the National Safety Council, a worker is hurt on the job every 7 seconds. That equates to 510 people being injured every hour, 12,600 per day, 88,500 a week, and 4,600,000 employees hurt yearly. Workplace injuries cost society $151 billion annually between lost productivity and wages, as well as medical and administrative expenses. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder that the trucking industry makes safety our number one goal. The obvious starting point is roadway safety, including driver training and equipment maintenance. A driver’s “workplace environment” has a lot of unknowns and factors that can’t be controlled. Ensuring drivers have the knowledge and skillset they need, and that the vehicles and equipment they depend on are reliable and in good working order, means that you can send them safely out into the world. Of course, creating a truly effective, all- encompassing safety program starts at the top. You likely designated someone in your company to develop and implement safety policies, processes, and protocols for everyone involved—drivers, technicians, and office staff. A company-wide approach means everyone is working to set standards and meet the goal of operating safely. All of this can positively impact your bottom line, as well as influence potential customers who choose to do business with you based on your safety record. Keeping those CSA scores accurate is important! It’s easy to understand why there such a safety focus in the trucking industry. Every accident costs money—sometimes significant sums—as well as the mental burden when accidents result in serious injury or loss of life. The rationale around public policies limiting driver’s hours-of- service, training requirements, age, health, and mental well-being are focused on creating a safer environment for our roads. In our maintenance shops and even in our offices, safety is a conscious decision for every trucking business. Robert W. Campbell, first president of the National Safety Council stated, “Safety work today is recognized as an economic necessity. It is the study of the right way to do things.” That is why OTA has consistently invested in providing the tools and training to help address your safety needs. If you haven’t recently utilized our safety programs, training, and audits, I encourage you to explore how they can enhance your safety culture and reduce your costs. While OTA’s regular offerings cover a wide-range of topics, we also have the flexibility to design an educational plan just for you. OTA has the knowledge and experience to supplement your safety routines, or help you create and maintain a new program. Safety is a priority for OTA, too! Public policies around equipment requirements— while sometimes not stated as directly—are also focused on creating safer environments. Much of today’s equipment design is focused on allowing trucks to operate more “safely” and while some of the equipment demands create controversy (trailer skirts), we easily accept the value of lights and brakes. In recent years, engine modifications addressed diesel particulate matter and the drive toward zero-emission vehicles is tied to the health hazards of fossil-based fuels. Safety is a consideration in many equipment-purchasing decisions, and that will likely increase as alternative fuel technology and other “safety features” continue to infiltrate trucking. While safety is always a priority, this past year we have seen what happens when “safety” is prioritized to the exclusion of other goals and objectives. As a nation, we literally shut our economy down to protect our citizenry from an unknown virus. Businesses had to balance the risk of exposure with not operating, and many businesses made the decision to shut their doors to keep employees and customers safe. Others had no choice and were forced to close. All in the name of safety. Not so in the trucking industry! Those unknowns and factors that can’t be controlled, that I mentioned earlier, were only magnified as the pandemic developed, but trucking remained on the frontline. In fact, consumer demand and buying practices have driven growth in our industry. However, as I write this column, we Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident It is becoming rapidly apparent that Oregon’s economy will not fully open without 70% of our citizens getting an approved vaccine.