Driving a truck is a skilled profession.
Successful drivers understand that driving is more than just holding a wheel.
It also means coming to work well-rested, properly dressed for the job, and prepared for the road.
Truck driver orientation is the process of sharing important information, guidelines, and policies of a certain company, which every new member of staff needs to know.
Why the truck driver safety orientation is important?
Being prepared to work in a new company is an important step for a successful start.
The orientation is the first impression of the company that the driver gets.
According to Trucking Info, drivers typically decided within their first three days on the job whether they will stay with the company.
Stay Metrics points out that its own data shows that “many drivers are dissatisfied with their orientation experience and do not retain what they learn.”
According to the firm’s Early Experiences Surveys, on average 24% of drivers do not agree with the statement: “This company’s orientation process properly prepared me to work for this company.”
23% of drivers do not agree with the statement: “Everything that I expected to learn during orientation was covered well.”
It is extremely important for the orientation experience to reflect professionalism, cleanliness, user-friendliness, driver gratitude, respect, and trustworthiness.
Employee engagement is what keeps the drivers staying with the company on a long-term basis.
Engaged employees are the ones who care about the company.
They are active participants and they go an extra mile for the company.
With this attitude, they feel passionate about their jobs and are committed to the organization.
Research directs that engagement may be better at reducing driver turnover than pay and bonus programs.
Truck drivers are the company`s greatest asset.
Great onboarding increases team retention by 82% and productivity by as much as 70%.
What do you need to do before the truck orientation?
- Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), followed by obtaining Commercial Driving License (CDL).
- Up-to-date physical with the Department of Transportation and Drug Test
Orientation Process at Freightech
When you come for truck driver orientation, you will visit our orientation facility located in Romeoville, Chicago area.
We provide the flight and all the expenses for your arrival at the company.
The orientation takes just a couple of hours.
At first, the Safety Managers are giving an overview of the company’s history and the industry.
Company policies, compliance rules, and common processes like fueling and taking regular stops are explained.
Then there are also some key points that need to be taken into consideration:
• Dress Safely and Comfortable
While spending a lot of hours driving, low-quality shoes can damage the feet.
When choosing shoes, they need to be with non-slip holes.
Due to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving in slippers is very risky.
If an accident happens, the trucker could hurt his feet badly.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has registered 53,000 – foot injuries.
Regarding the weather, drivers face challenges on a daily basis.
They can find themselves driving in cold weather and next thing on a warm weather.
Adapting to these changes also means having waterproof shoes.
TROUSERS
Drivers need to wear long trousers to protect their legs from cuts and scrapes.
The gloves should be an essential part of the packing list.
With gloves, you can do all types of work, including working with tools and chains; while fueling and checking oil and belts or while being outside for long periods of time in the winter.
JEWELRY AND RINGS
It’s recommended not to wear them while at work.
They can be caught on the equipment and it doesn`t take a lot of pressure to cause a serious injury.
• Hours of Service
“Hours of service” states to the maximum amount of time drivers are allowed to be on duty as well as driving time.
Safety Managers are pointing out how important to the driver is to take evidence for the hours – when he is driving and when he is resting.
Avoid violation penalties by staying current on all the HOS rules by checking the FMCSA website daily for updates.
• Paperwork
The driver needs to understand the job assignment and complete the paperwork before leaving.
The driver’s logbook must be up to date, verified, and ready to run before starting to drive, in order not to get in a violation.
The current duty status is not only a violation that can cost money, but it is also a violation that goes against the company’s safety and compliance.
• Pre-Trip Inspection
The pre-trip inspection is part of the driver’s job due to the fact that it is required by federal regulations and common sense.
When a truck has a failure or out-of-service inspection on the road, the delivery of the customer’s freight gets delayed, the driver loses money from the delay and the repairs cost twice as much.
Worse if an accident occurs due to damaged equipment such as brakes that are well out of adjustment.
After starting the unit, check the gauges.
Make sure they have proper air and oil pressure.
Turn on all the lights, then start the free trip at the left front wheel and work the inspection of items in a circle around the unit.
Things to check during the inspection:
- Is the hood latched properly;
- The battery box covers;
- The tires wheel locks;
- Any leaks;
- Fresh damage;
- All lights included the turn signals and brake lights;
- Fuel leaks and fuel tank caps;
- Make sure tandems are locked in place;
- Leakage of wheel bearing oil caps;
- If the trailer doors are locked and latched;
- Loose lugs.
If there is a lug showing less thread, the lug with less thread showing has some loose and if not corrected others will follow until a wheel is lost.
A loose wheel from a tractor or trailer is extremely dangerous and has injured people.
Inspect your lugs on every pre-trip particularly if either unit is at least at work where any wheel was removed.
When you finish with the inspection, document it.
• Avoid Distracted Driving
Texting while driving it`s dangerous, but still, many people continue to do it.
Every 1 out of 5 accidents in Texas is caused by distracted driving according to DOT.
3 types of distractions:
- Visual distraction – taking your eyes off the road.
- Manual distraction – taking the hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive distraction – Taking your mind off what you are doing.
Texting involves all 3.
Using a cell phone while driving slows the reaction time similar to having a blood alcohol level at the legal unit of 0,08%.
Federal state and local laws are changing and continue to focus on protecting the public.
• Getting In and Out of The Cab
Although it seems like a routine, many good drivers have been injured getting in or out of the vehicle in the wrong way.
Not using the hand holds and moving to limbs at a time will eventually result in slips and injury.
• Exit Ramp
As a professional, you need to be at your best and devote your entire attention to driving.
Make sure you get in the proper lane.
Well in advance use the turn signal and as you ramp be aware of any traffic on your left that will try to beat you to the ramp.
Look out if there are any signs or merge layers.
• Road Test
You`ll go with a driver evaluator.
They’ll look at your skill level; the ability of coupling and uncoupling the trailer.
Doing a DOT inspection and just making sure that you are comfortable operating the equipment before we send you on the road by yourself.
After completing all the steps, the driver is ready to contact the dispatcher and start planning their first route!
How to have a successful driver orientation?
The purpose of this procedure is to prepare each driver for their driving responsibilities, identify and explain safe driving procedures, identify driving-related hazards that may encounter and discuss the methods to manage them, connect them with the people and resources available to help.
Understanding how the company operates can also help drivers to understand what is expected by them.
Paying attention and asking questions during the orientation can make everything clearer.
Allowing fully to immerse in the company’s culture will give the opportunity to get out on the road armed with as much information as possible.
While the drivers have learned the basics in the CDL training, orientation is an opportunity to improve their skills before hitting the road.
The first day on the job is key for creating a good impression and builds an open communication with the supervisors.
Drivers need to build a personal connection with a carrier if they considered it as a “long-term home”.
Loyalty and retention are the ultimate goals since there is an expansion of the truck driver shortage.
Conclusion
Switching between jobs can be logistically challenging.
Here at Freightech, we believe that our orientation program is one of the best in the industry.
It’s fast, efficient, and effective.
We want to make the drivers feel comfortable and safe when taking the next step in their careers.
