In April, on more than one separate occasion and location, valves have been left open by
Northwest drivers when they leave facilities. Product leaks were a result, as well as an
amount of lost confidence in Northwest and our drivers.
Numerous factors can interfere with our ability to stay focused, on task, and to our taking
the extra minute or two to make sure we are completing all the necessary procedures
during our day. We often become forgetful when we’re in auto-pilot and the mind is
guiding our actions for us.
Staying mindful and engaged is needed to give all critical tasks the time and attention
necessary to prevent product loss, equipment damage and danger to ourselves and
others.
Here are some suggestions to help you remember to check valves and other tasks
before leaving a plant:
1. Make yourself a sign and put it on your driver seat when you get out of the truck.
2. Put sticky notes on valves and remove them when closed
3. Have a To-Do List with your paperwork and make sure you read it with every load.
4. Put another kind of physical reminder on your steering wheel or other spot that
you will need to remove to get going again – some kind of personal item?
Irregularity in our patterns works as a trigger. Something not where it should be, by
association, triggers the reminder.
Ultimately, it is up to you, the driver, to make
sure that you are not skipping steps or leaving
items undone at our client’s facilities. We take
incidents like these very seriously and want to
assure all stakeholders that we are committed
to maintaining a safe work environment for our
personnel.
Your vigilance and commitment to performing your jobs correctly ensures our clients are
satisfied and we all keep working! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
2023-04-24+-+Safety+Bulletin+-+Valves+Left+Open
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