There are an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. – and over 260,000 in Canada. In the United States alone, truckers are relied on to deliver $671 billion worth of goods. And trucks move close to 90 percent of all consumer products and foods within Canada. Students pursuing automotive careers are well positioned to enter a thriving, challenging field. Our economy would grind to a halt without transportation professionals to keep delivery networks well supplied.
Given that we rely tremendously on the commercial transport business, it’s not surprising that considerable time, energy, and resources goes into protecting drivers and their cargos from harm. Organizers, investigators, protectors: Loss Prevention Administrators are an essential part of the transport equation.
Here are a few of their typical responsibilities:
Safety & Compliance
Loss prevention training includes an up-to-date knowledge of safety procedures – so personnel must have a working knowledge of federal and provincial regulations set out by organizations like the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
Canada’s National Safety Code (NSC) lays out the minimum safety standards to which all transport carriers must adhere. But they don’t visit each transport company to inspect the trucks themselves – each carrier must ensure that their vehicles meet the standards by employing knowledgeable Loss Prevention Administrators. Coordinating with auto technicians, they’ll look closely at all aspects of truck safety, including braking and vehicle lighting systems, tires, and underrun barriers. Administrators constantly promote, enforce, and monitor compliance by managing programs linked to safety training, inspection, and human resources. They will assist or lead in driver orientations and road-test evaluations.
Accurate Record-Keeping
In case of an audit, Loss Prevention Administrators are the ones who present authorities with the company’s records. These include training, maintenance, and vehicle and driver operating and qualification records, which are checked to ensure compliance and accuracy. Administrators also regularly inspect logbooks for hours of service and keep a close eye on maintenance reports, ensuring they are regularly and accurately completed. In case of an accident, the Loss Prevention Administrator will carefully record the event and any related injuries, and will use this information fill in insurance forms and to speculate about probable cause.
Accident Investigation
When crashes occur, Loss Prevention personnel play an important role in determining cause and making recommendations for future improvements. Their knowledge of safety regulations and compliance standards helps bring to light areas of oversight that can addressed in training sessions – and aid in the design of accident prevention plans that are delivered to drivers as part of a comprehensive loss prevention strategy.
What do you consider the most challenging aspects of safety and loss prevention?
