Behavioural programmes make drivers safer

Demands on drivers of heavy goods vehicles are now much more complex and pressing than ever thanks to an increase in transport volume and work pressure as well as general behavioural changes. That’s according to Garth Jooste, EH&S Technologist with Safripol, who says behavioural-based performance programmes have been developed to increase safety during road freight transport. These are being implemented in companies across the world and work by positively influencing the behaviour of drivers through observation, coaching and communication. Jooste says the programme is not intended to be a once-off exercise, but should rather become a continuous effort by every individual transport company. The success of it, however, lies in total buyin at all levels from top management downward. “It must not be seen as just added administration for employees, but rather become integral to the way a company operates.” At least 88% of losses and or accidents, he says, are attributed to unsafe human behaviour. Taking this into account, the greatest factor in incident and accident prevention is therefore the human aspect. “The modification of human behavior to meet behavior expectation requirements in the work environment has the potential to reduce the effect of the greatest losscausing factor in accident prevention,” says Jooste.