One way to improve your Safety Measurement System (SMS) results is through clean inspections over time. To do this, consider three approaches: training, teamwork, and metrics. SMS is a great tool for identifying the drivers (and mechanics) responsible for the most violations.
This approach is reactive, but if the rest of the fleet appears to be performing well, you can focus your immediate attention on those individuals needing improvement. However, before you schedule them for remedial training, look for the problem’s root cause. Is it the worker’s attitude? What if the problem is systemic, such as management pushing hot loads despite reported mechanical defects? Training cannot resolve these issues. However, if training is the solution, devise a program to help the driver learn the proper inspection techniques.
It is also important to remember that everyone contributes to the company’s safety performance. Even as it relates to brakes, tires, and lights, it is not just the driver who will help improve your SMS results. Everyone, from the driver and mechanics to the back-office staff who maintain service records and purchase replacement parts, plays a role in obtaining clean inspections. It is a team effort, one which goes hand in hand with metrics.
Metrics such as SMS can help you identify negative trends and establish goals for improvement. By using metrics for each department, you can evaluate their safety performance and possibly identify underperforming teams. As mentioned earlier, SMS can show you which vehicles are experiencing the most violations. You can then use the SMS data to trace violations to the mechanic(s) responsible for servicing the vehicle. You can even determine which violations should have been caught by the driver or mechanic.
Here is a helpful brake inspection checklist provided by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration (CVSA): https://www.cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Brake-Inspection-Check-List.pdf
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
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