Truck + Phone = Big Liability for Field Service Companies
Do you – or your service techs or foremen – drive around on your phone all day? It’s a reality of running a service business, but you might want to think twice about it.
Employees could get the company into big liability suits in case of an accident, if they’re on their phones… as much as $150,000 for an injury, and literally millions for a fatality, according to a National Safety Council (NSC) study that came out this week.
You already have an insurance burden for the company trucks, so take some steps to keep accidents related to driving and talking on the phone to a minimum. In fact, the NSC recommends complete hands-free usage or an outright ban on phone use while driving. Given the nature of managing a business where responsiveness and flexibility is critical (and where many spend all day driving around town), a ban probably isn’t feasible for your business, but hands free could be, especially given the affordability of blue tooth headsets.
Otherwise, just have your guys pull over. It may seem overly cautious, but given the risk – and the potential cost – it’s probably worth it. Safety first, right?
The NSC has a couple resources you can check out… a Cell Phone Policy Kit, and their Cognitive Distraction White Paper …you know, just a little light reading for all that free time you have, or while relaxing over the weekend. Hey, you can’t say we didn’t try!
Have a safe weekend folks!