"Safety First! is a win-win effort designed to improve safety procedures to reduce claims and lower insurance costs," CEO Joseph Cory Sr. "The impact of such a program serves to benefit our clients nationwide."
With deliveries nearing one million during its 2002 insurance year, which began last October, the company reduced the number of accidents by 54%. In July, it had zero chargeable accidents.
The multi-level campaign, led by president James Cory, includes strategic and tactical initiatives that reach throughout the entire Cory organization. The safety committee, comprised of executives, management and independent contractors, is the driving force of the program, he said.
The committee works to reduce and eliminate claims by reinforcing a variety of safety issues with facility and delivery managers on a weekly basis. A powerful strategy the committee employs is simultaneous teleconferencing with all facilities that includes outside industry experts.
Safety committee members also work together to provide feedback on policies and procedures and a roundtable forum for ideas. Regional managers oversee the initiative for each location by communicating regularly with the corporate office and independent contractors on the road.
Also, facility and delivery managers hold weekly stand-up meetings with independent contractors to heighten awareness, including review of the revised company safety manual covering policies on the road, damages, and claims.
Because backing accidents are responsible for 30% of all Cory's accidents, a key point strongly emphasized to independent contractors is correct backup procedure. Cory requires that each helper step outside the truck to assist the driver when backing up.
Independent contractors involved in backing accidents face severe penalties, up to the termination of their relationship with the company.
