1.0 PURPOSE
Many employees operate company-owned, leased, or rented ATVs/ UTV’s / Golf Carts and Buggies as part of their jobs. Employees are expected to operate ATVs / UTV’s / Golf Carts and Buggies safely to prevent accidents that may result in injures and property loss. It is the policy of Nitro Construction Services to provide and maintain a safe working environment to protect our employees and outside individuals from injury and property loss. The company is committed to promoting a high level of safety awareness and responsible driving behavior in its employees. Our efforts and the commitment of employees will prevent ATV / UTV / Golf Cart and Buggy accidents and reduce personal injury and property loss claims. The program requires the FULL cooperation, enforcement, and safety accountability of each driver to operate their ATV / UTV / Golf Cart and Buggies safely and to adhere to the responsibilities outlined in the Program.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
Management is responsible for the successful implementation and ongoing execution of this program. Supervisors and employees are responsible for meeting and maintaining the standards outlined in this program.
3.0 PROCEDURE
3.1 Organization and Responsibilities
3.1.1 The company’s Fleet Manager is responsible for directing the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy safety Program.
3.1.2 Management will:
3.1.2.1 Implement the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy program.
3.1.2.2 Provide assistance and the resources necessary to implement and
maintain the program.
3.1.2.3 Be responsible for taking appropriate action to manage high-risk
driver.
3.1.3 Supervisors will:
3.1.3.1 Report and document all accidents involving an ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy in performing company business. Utilize NCS Form 039 for reporting.
3.1.3.2 Forward all accident reports to the Nitro Construction Services
Corporate Safety Director.
3.1.4 Corporate Safety Director will:
3.1.4.1 Review ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy accident reports.
3.1.4.2 Revise and distribute change to the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy Safety program to Managers, Supervisors, and Drivers as necessary.
3.1.4.3 Maintain appropriate records.
3.1.5 Drivers will:
3.1.5.1 Safely operate the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggies.
3.1.5.2 Maintain a valid driver’s license.
3.1.5.3 Maintain assigned ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggies according to established maintenance records.
3.1.5.4 Report any changes to the driver’s license status to their immediate
supervisor within 24 hours.
3.1.5.5 Comply with the accident reporting procedures.
3.1.5.6 Complete the online training through Nitro Construction Services training portal before operating.
3.2 ATV – UTV – GOLF CART and BUGGY Use
3.2.1 At no time is an authorized employee permitted to allow another company / contractor
to operate a company owned / leased ATV – UTV – Golf Cart – Buggy.
3.2.2 Any Nitro Employee that voluntarily utilizes a company owned / leased ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy outside of the scope of work, without express authorization from a Site Manager, Vice President, or the President of the Company, may be subject to Immediate termination of employment.
3.2.3 Make sure equipment use is documented on the Daily JSA and that all hazards associated with its use have been reviewed and explained to the crew and all users.
3.3 Driver Selection
3.3.1 Ensure the employee has a valid driver’s license.
3.3.2 Ensure the employee is qualified to operate the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart – Buggy he/she will drive.
3.4 Accident Reporting Procedures
Employees will take the following actions when there are injuries to persons and/or damage to other vehicles or property.
3.4.1 Move the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart – Buggy to a safe location. Call for medical attention if anyone is injured.
3.4.2 Secure the name of the driver involved, as well as the names and addresses of witnesses and injured persons on the Vehicle Accident Report Form NCS Form 039. Do not discuss the fault with, or sign anything for anyone except an authorized representative of Nitro Construction Services.
3.4.3 If a camera is available, take pictures of the accident scene.
3.4.4 Immediately notify your supervisor and the Nitro Construction Services Corporate Safety Director (304-204-1519).
3.4.5 Your Supervisor will advise you on how to arrange for repairs to the equipment.
3.4.6 When there is theft of or damage to your equipment:
3.4.6.1 If you did not witness the damage to the ATV – UTV – Golf Cart – Buggy, you must notify the police.
3.4.6.2 Immediately notify your supervisor
3.4.6.3 Send a copy of the police report along with a memo outlining any additional information to the Nitro Construction Services Corporate Safety Director.
3.5 Driver Training
3.5.1 Employees hired by the company to operate ATV – UTV – Golf Cart – Buggy will have the basic skills and credentials necessary to perform this function.
3.5.2 New employees and existing employees will receive a copy of this program as part of their orientation.
3.5.3 Additional driver safety training may be required as determined by management.
3.6 Driver Safety Rules
3.6.1 Seat Belts – The authorized driver is required to wear seat belts when the equipment is in operation. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers wear their seat belts.
3.6.2 Impaired Driving – The authorized driver must not operate an ATV – UTV – Golf Cart and Buggy at any time when his/her ability to do so is impaired, affected, influenced by alcohol, illegal drugs, prescribed or over the counter medication, illness, fatigue, or injury.
3.6.3 Traffic Laws – Employees must abide by all Federal, State, and local regulations, laws, and ordinances.
3.6.4 Equipment Condition – Drivers are responsible for ensuring the equipment is maintained in a safe driving condition. Drivers of rentals should check for obvious defects before leaving the rental office / lot and, if necessary, request another piece of equipment if the first one is deemed unsafe by the employee.
3.6.5 Equipment Specifications – Equipment shall be of the correct size for any load being hauled and designed for the intended use. Drivers shall ensure loads are secure and within the manufacturer’s legal limits.
3.6.6 Cellular Telephones or Hand – Held Electronic Devices – The following rules apply to employees driving on company business who wish to use cellular telephones in the equipment:
3.6.6.1 Text messaging and email is authorized ONLY when the equipment is safely parked.
3.6.6.2 Calls are authorized ONLY when the equipment is safely parked.
3.7 General Safety Rules – Employees are NOT permitted to:
3.7.1 Pick up hitchhikers.
3.7.2 Accept payment for carrying passengers or materials.
3.7.3 Push or pull another piece of equipment or vehicle.
3.7.4 Transport flammable liquids or gases except per Federal, State and Local laws.
3.7.5 Park in heavily traveled pedestrian areas.
3.7.6 Block fire lanes, entrances to buildings, stairways, disability ramps, main thoroughfares, or fire suppression equipment.
3.8 Safe Operation:
3.8.1 Equipment is to be used for material transport and business only.
3.8.2 Tampering or modifying the equipment’s governor is prohibited.
3.8.3 Never drive faster than conditions allow. Be alert for changing hazards or hazardous conditions.
3.8.4 Never take your hands off the wheel.
3.8.5 Sound horn at blind spots and turns.
3.8.6 Equipment is not to be overloaded. Do not allow more passengers than seating provided or carry more load than the rated capacity.
3.8.7 When hauling loads or material, check to see that nothing obstructs your view and loads are secured in place.
3.8.8 Refer to the owner’s manual for the particular piece of equipment, for additional safe operating information.
3.8.9 Pedestrians have the right of way. Speed must be reduced to a minimum when driving along or near pedestrians.
3.8.10 Drivers must be especially attentive to the needs of disabled persons, due to their limitations in vision, hearing or mobility.
3.8.11 Park equipment in designated spots as allocated by our Customers and Clients.
3.8.12 Always wear your safety glasses when operating the equipment.
3.8.13 Keep all body parts (hands – legs – feet) within the confines of the cab.
3.8.14 Block tires when parking on an incline / decline and turn off and remove keys. Engage brake.
3.8.15 Verify there is a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on all equipment.
3.9 Inspections
3.9.1 A daily inspection must be completed prior to use. Utilize NCS Form 063 for UTV – ATV – Golf Carts and Buggies. There is also a form for Side by Side’s, NCS Form 064.
3.9.2 At any time you find any item on the inspection sheet to be deficient or defective you are to tag the equipment “Out of Service” and do not use until the deficiency is corrected.
3.9.3 All equipment should be maintained as recommended by the manufacturer’s service schedule.
3.9.4 Keep all records of all maintenance and repairs on file or send to the Corporate Safety Director for retention.
4.0 DEFINITIONS
ATV – All-Terrain Vehicle – A type of off – highway vehicle that travels on three or more low pressure ties; has a handle-bar steering; and has a seat designed to be straddled by the operator.
UTV – Utility-Terrain Vehicle – Any motorized off-highway vehicle capable of maneuvering over uneven terrain, having four or more low pressure tires, designed with side by side seats, seatbelts, steering wheel, and equipped with American National Standard Institute (ANSI) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified roll over protection structure (ROPS). Approved UTV’s must be directionally controlled with a steering wheel.
Golf Cart – A small motorized vehicle for golfers and their equipment.
Buggy – A passenger or recreational vehicle designed for off-road use.
High-Risk Driver – Had one or more auto accidents. Received multiple speeding tickets or other traffic citations. Been convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)