2.6 Driver Fitness
License & Driver Status
Any driver receiving a change of status in their driving privileges, including license, endorsements, traffic summons, traffic tickets, medical card, etc. must contact Dispatch prior to the next scheduled shift. Failure to do so can be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
DWI/DUI (Driving While Impaired) Policy
Any driver cited and/or convicted for possession or use of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, or stimulant while driving his/her personal or company vehicle is subject to immediate termination.
Any driver with a suspended or expired driver’s license will not be allowed to drive and may be terminated due to the suspension or expiration. An employee is not to accept work assignments while his/her driver’s license is suspended or expired. All fines assessed as the result of a driver’s violation of traffic laws while driving a company vehicle will be subject to be paid by the driver or the company as determined by Reliable Tank Line management.
Medical Card
Any driver having an out-of-date medical card will not be allowed to drive until the medical card is in active status. If the card is not brought current within a reasonable period decided by Reliable Tank Line management, the driver will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Any driver not possessing the correct endorsements will not be allowed to drive until the endorsements are in an active status. If the endorsements are not activated within a reasonable period decided by Reliable Tank Line management, the driver will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Traffic Summons
Any conviction of traffic citations of any description while operating a company vehicle or a personal vehicle must be reported prior to your next scheduled shift.
Dispatcher’s Instructions
All drivers are to follow the written and verbal instructions of dispatch. If there is a question regarding schedules, work, or job responsibility, the driver should contact dispatch for clarification. Please document on your trip ticket any changes (ex: delivery schedule or supplier) that are made and who authorized the change. It is your responsibility and best interest to document these changes yourself in case a question arises later regarding a delivery. Do not rely on the memory of dispatch (ours or our customers).
Delivery Delays
Deliveries must be made on time and in the order in which they were dispatched unless cleared by the dispatcher. Should you have any reason to believe you will be excessively late in making a scheduled delivery, you must notify your dispatcher.
Confidentiality
Employees are not to discuss company business, customer’s business, their fellow employees, or our competitors with any person(s) other than the supervisory personnel of Reliable Tank Line.
Driver Meetings
Driver informational meetings are held bi-annually at each office facility. These meetings are for the benefit of each driver and provide information regarding driver and company updates and concerns. Your presence is required, and you will be compensated for attending the meeting.
Customer Relations
An especially important part of our business is obtaining and keeping customers. As with most transport companies, our drivers are our most visible representatives, and our trucks are a “rolling billboard” for our business. Drivers are in constant contact with customers and can help build good public relations. This comes about by being courteous and never arguing with a customer or a representative. A positive attitude and the ability to handle your job in a professional manner will help eliminate any misunderstandings. Quite often, a customer is lost because of a poor attitude or inappropriate actions on the part of the person dealing with the customer. Customers expect to be treated with respect and courtesy. Likewise, Reliable Tank Line expects and requires that all employees treat its customers with courtesy and respect.
No matter how large a company is or how many employees it has, the average person will form his/her opinion of the company through contact with one individual employee. Usually, there is no amount of courtesy or efficiency that can overcome the negative impression created by a rude remark or inefficient behavior. Every member of an organization who meets the public is a salesperson.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Courtesy and kindness are the best advertising techniques for employees of Reliable Tank Line LLC.
Reporting to Work
Reliable Tank Line advocates safe, dependable, and courteous service. To give our customers the service they need and deserve, drivers must report to work as scheduled. Employees must personally contact their terminal manager or dispatcher by telephone if unavailable for work. This should be reported as far in advance as possible. Calling in prior to your normal start time is particularly important since loads assigned to an employee who will be absent must be distributed to others. Rated absenteeism from work could result in termination of the employee. Failure to call in or to report for work when scheduled for 3 (three) consecutive days can result in immediate termination.
Personal Appearance
Uniforms and Personal Appearance – Drivers are required to wear company provided uniforms (including hats) while working. Jeans are not part of the uniform and are not acceptable. Shirts should be neatly tucked in pants while on duty. Employees are expected to present a good appearance (including proper dress) and attitude to our customers and to the public. Drivers should change into their personal clothing while off duty. Uniforms must never be worn in places or situations that will reflect negatively on Reliable Tank Line.
Wear Proper Footwear – Appropriate footwear is essential in reducing personal injury. Be sure you have sturdy footwear with slip resistant soles.
General Appearance - The management of Reliable Tank Line also has certain requirements for your general appearance as listed below: Beards and mustaches should be trimmed neatly. Hair cannot be dyed or colored any color other than colors that represent natural human hair colors. (For example: orange, purple, and green are not appropriate.) Hair length should not extend over the shirt collar and must be able to fit under the uniform hat for Reliable Tank Line. Long hair (especially ponytails), beards, loose clothing, and/or jewelry that might present a safety hazard are not acceptable and will not be allowed. Stud earrings may only be worn in the ears. Rings worn in the tongue, nose, eyebrows, or any other visible locations other than the ears are prohibited. The displays of tattoos that may be considered offensive or pornographic in nature are prohibited, unless covered with clothing.
Behavior
Employees are expected to exhibit courteous, moral, non-violent behavior to customers, the public, their supervisors, and other fellow employees. Your attitude is an important part of your job. Look for the positive side of situations. This is not always easy, but with practice you will become better at it. Practice the following tips:
- SEEK TO LEARN FROM THE DIFFICULT PERSON—look for the positive aspects of a personality and incorporate the best things in your own personality.
- AVOID SITUATIONS THAT TEND TO SET OFF OFFENSIVE BEHAVIORS—treating others as you would like to be treated is often the key to avoiding offensive behaviors.
- TRY TO WALK AWAY WITH A SMILE—if you cannot avoid an unpleasant situation, deal with it professionally and remain in control of your emotions.
Excessive foul language is not acceptable.
Under no circumstances will fighting or striking a fellow employee or customer be tolerated. Such an action will subject the employee to immediate termination.
Violence in the Workplace
Reliable Tank Line is committed to providing a safe work environment for our employees. To accomplish this goal, the Company has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for violence in our workplace. This includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, threats, violent acts, hostile behaviors, physical abuse, vandalism, arson, sabotage, use of weapons, carrying weapons of any kind onto Company premises, or any other act, which, in management’s opinion, is inappropriate to the workplace. In addition, jokes or offensive comments about violent events may result in disciplinary measures.
If you feel that you have been subjected to or have witnessed any of the behaviors listed above you should immediately report the incident to your supervisor or to Nicole Spillman, Senior VP of Human Resources. Complaints will be promptly investigated and based upon the results; disciplinary action will be taken against the offender, as appropriate.
The Company reserves the right to conduct searches and inspections of Company provided materials such as desks, lockers, computers, packages, and vehicles without notice. Any employee who refuses to submit to a search of these materials or is found in possession of prohibited articles will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Personal Safety
All Reliable Tank Line employees must place the highest priority upon “Safely Working Smart.” Safely Working Smart is defined as avoiding unsafe acts and/or shortcuts that can result in personal injury.
Reporting Work Related Injuries
If you are injured on the job, you should report the incident to your supervisor immediately, regardless of how minor the injury may be. If medical care is needed, supervisors should assist you in getting the necessary medical attention promptly, after which the full details of the injury are to be reported to Human Resources so that, if circumstances warrant, the payment of medical and other benefits provided by law can be initiated in a timely fashion.
Should you experience a disabling work injury, the nature of which necessitates an absence from work, Human Resources can provide you with information concerning your lawful benefits. If you have questions concerning the payment of workers’ compensation benefits, you are encouraged to contact your supervisor or Human Resources.
The Company will make every effort to accommodate you should you be released by your doctor to return to work with restrictions, which would not allow you to return to your normal job. Once your doctor has evaluated you and released you to a restricted activity job, Human Resources will place you in a job which meets the restrictions if such a job is available. During the time you are in a restricted job, you will receive the rate of pay for the job performed and not your regular rate of pay. In no case will you be placed in a job with a rate of pay higher than your normal job rate. You must be released by a doctor designated by the Company to return to your regular job or to move up to a job that is less restrictive.
**NOTE**
WHERE INJURY IS CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL REFUSAL OF THE EMPLOYEE TO USE SAFETY EQUIPMENT OR OBEY SAFETY RULES, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS CAN BE REDUCED.
Entering and Leaving the Truck Cab
- Wear Proper Footwear - Appropriate footwear is essential in reducing personal injury. Be sure you have sturdy footwear with slip resistant soles.
- Never jump out of the cab of the tractor: Serious ankle, leg, knee, or back injuries can occur due to incorrect exiting.
- 3-Point Contact and Face the Equipment – Always maintain 3 points of contact and face the equipment when entering/exiting
Draining Delivery Hoses
Prior to unhooking the delivery hose from the transport (tanker), gradually lift the hose, beginning at the point where it attaches to the transport, and slowly “walk” the hose toward the end attached to the storage tank. Then, upon unhooking the delivery hose from the transport, use the “roll method” to ensure the hose is completely drained. Begin to roll the hose by lifting the end (that has been disconnected from the transport) in a manner that it causes it to “roll” away from your body toward the other end of the hose. Make sure the roll height is no higher than shoulder level while “walking” the hose(s) dry. Roll the hose slowly enough to allow the product to drain ahead of the roll toward and into the UST (Underground Storage Tank). Be sure your grip is firm on the hose as you change hand positions. Make sure your footing is secure as you “walk” and “roll” the hose dry. Never lift the hose in a “jerking” manner, or prior to its draining sufficiently to reduce its weight. Doing so can easily result in lower back injuries.
Proper Lifting Technique
- Foot positioning is important. Spread your feet 12” to 14” apart – one foot slightly ahead of the other.
- To squat, begin bending your legs while keeping your back as straight as possible.
- Get a secure, firm grip on the object you intend to lift. Grip the object firmly by its’ diagonally opposite corners. Keep the object as close to your body as possible.
- Keeping your back straight, lift with your arms as you lift yourself and the object with your legs. Your strong leg muscles are doing the work – not your back. Do not attempt to lift more than you are physically capable of. Muscle strains normally occur because too much weight is being lifted.
- Do not twist your body into an awkward position. Doing so shifts the weight of the load to weaker muscles in your back and can result in strains or tears. To turn, move your upper body along with your legs and feet. Do not try to shift the load or change your grip while you are carrying the object. Look where you are going.
- Putting the object down is the reverse of picking it up. Start by bending your legs. Maintain that strong grip and do not make any sudden movements. Keeping your back as straight as possible, squat and release the load by slowly sliding your hands away from it.
NOTE: Get help with a heavy load. Normally, anything that weighs more than one-third of your body’s weight requires assistance in lifting.