Employee crimes and negligent entrustment are two areas where fleet management organizations face great risks.
Technicians, who are last to see a vehicle and who decide if and when it’s ready to go, should be aware of fleet liability.
A keynote presentation on liability was one of the hottest topics at a conference of the Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators (FLAGFA) last week.
Most people no longer bat an eye when hearing about multimillion dollar damage awards to punish companies for an employee’s negligent acts. However, what are the liability concerns for a public sector fleet manager?
SAN ANTONIO - A San Antonio woman whose SUV was hit by a police vehicle rushing to a call was told that that the City would not pay for damages to her vehicle. The City cited a law that gives cities immunity if one of their employees crashes into someone while responding to an emergency.
Under OSHA regulations, an employer must provide a workplace (which includes work vehicles) free from recognized hazards. Workers' Comp claims resulting from use of inappropriately spec'ed add-on equipment is on the rise. Poor equipment spec'ing can result in expensive litigation. Ergonomics is also an accident avoidance issue. Poor ergonomics reduces driver comfort, increasing fatigue, a key contributor to preventable accidents.
Implementing a fleet policy can be a challenge for any fleet management operation. It requires a culture change, which may be difficult because people resist change. To avoid this pitfall, fleet policy should be written with safety as the premise.
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