700 - Vehicular Operations
- Only trained and authorized persons shall be permitted to operate company vehicles.
- All drivers of vehicles
(company/rental/personal) designed for use on public roads and used on company
business shall comply with the provisions of city ordinances, state traffic
regulations, and common-sense rules of the road. The use of radar detectors in
vehicles used on company business is prohibited. Drivers shall be familiar with
and practice the principles of defensive driving as follows:
Principles of Defensive Driving- Ensure you are focusing not only on the area immediately in front of your vehicle but also on the road farther in front of you.
- Maintain situational awareness around you. Know what is going on beside, in front, and behind you.
- Be prepared for the unexpected from other drivers. Leave yourself an out if you must make a quick maneuver to avoid an incident.
- Ensure other drivers are aware of your presence. Avoid driving in another vehicle’s blind spot.
- While operating vehicles while on Southern Company property, drivers shall comply with all site traffic signs and special instructions. Operators of vehicles shall give pedestrians the right-of-way when operating a vehicle.
- All drivers of vehicles designed for use on public roads shall have a valid state driver’s license.
- Expectations of employees involved in a
vehicle collision on public roadways while engaged in company business are as
follows:
- Ensure calls are made for emergency assistance if injuries are involved. Notify police of injury or property damage.
- Provide appropriate information to emergency personnel and police.
- Do not make statements as to fault or personal/company liability for damages.
- Notify supervisor as soon as practical.
- Complete vehicle collision report and vehicle collision review form per SNC Corporate Guideline 720-041.
- Initiate a CR as soon as practical.
- Employees are prohibited from texting or
sending emails while driving a motor vehicle on company business on public
roads or on property controlled by Southern Company. Mobile phone, Southern
Linc devices, and Blackberry use is restricted to hands-free devices to send
and receive calls and to push-to-talk devices when answering a call. This
applies to employees operating company-owned vehicles, company supplied rental
vehicles, or use of a personal vehicle while on company business.
NOTE: CDL operators engaged in interstate commerce must refer to the NMP-FLS-004 (Requirements for Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle) for specific driving requirements. - All occupants shall use seatbelts and shoulder harnesses properly where provided on vehicles and equipment whenever the vehicle is in motion.
- The number of occupants shall not exceed the number of seatbelts provided in passenger vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and vans.
- Employees shall not be permitted to ride on
any part of any vehicle other than factory installed seats when traveling on
public roadways.
NOTE: No one shall ride in the back of pickup trucks. - Those riding in or on a vehicle must keep their body within the confines of the vehicle.
- Utility carts and trucks shall be operated at a safe speed. These vehicles shall not be overloaded with personnel or material. Personnel riding in carts shall remain within the outer boundary of the carts.
- No modifications or additions shall be made to any vehicle that affects the capacity, safety equipment, or structural characteristics without the manufacturer’s prior written approval.
- All vehicles that driven at night must have operating headlights, and the headlights must be on during movement.
- Extreme caution shall be exercised when driving any vehicle in reverse. All vehicles, including pickups, designed, or loaded in such a way that prevents the driver from clearly seeing conditions at the rear of the vehicle shall be guided while in reverse. Vehicles larger than a pickup truck shall have a person to direct movements when in reverse. The person shall use hand signals and stay to one side in clear view of the driver. Vehicles such as road graders, frontend loaders, or earth movers, shall require a person to help direct movement in congested areas or where obstructions exist but not when operated in areas of the plant, such as landfill, roadways, or where personnel are not working in the immediate area.
- All loads shall be loaded securely. Binders, ropes, chains, etc., shall be used to secure any materials or equipment to the vehicle if there is any danger of it shifting, tilting, or falling.
- In addition to the regular hitch, safety chains (where present) on trailers, air compressors, dollies, either loaded or unloaded, shall be secured to the vehicle.
- Personnel shall not jump on or off vehicles while the vehicles are in motion.
- Employees shall not position themselves immediately in front of or behind a vehicle while it is being started.
- Defects that can affect safe operation shall be repaired prior to continued vehicle operation.
- All vehicles equipped with outriggers and/or stabilizers and where pads are provided shall have pads placed under outriggers and stabilizers when they are lowered. All outriggers and/or stabilizers shall be extended and lowered in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions prior to performing a li feet and/or moving the boom to an approved travel position.
- All dual wheels and heavy vehicles that are parked shall not depend on parking brakes to hold the vehicle. Chocks shall be placed firmly under rear wheels when such vehicles are parked on an incline or if the vehicle is running.
- A safety circle walk shall be completed before entering the vehicle to ensure the vehicle can be moved safely.
- Permission must be obtained from the appropriate manager/management representative prior to any vehicle entering the low-voltage switchyard.
- Tools and material shall be secured to prevent movement when transported in the same compartment with personnel.
- Employees working within 25 feet of earthmoving equipment in operation shall wear a brightly colored upper body garment. When poor lighting exists, the garment must also be reflective.
- When the driver exits the vehicle, the driver shall apply the parking brake while their foot is on the brake and then turn off the engine. Several circumstances, such as pump trucks and emergency response vehicles, require the engine to remain running with the operator outside the vehicle in order to perform work. These vehicles are exempt from the requirement to turn off the engine. These vehicles must have the parking brake engaged as well as be equipped with all safety devices, such as wheel chocks.
- Employees shall not work under order pickers, forklifts, JLGs, bucket trucks, etc. Hazard warnings shall be designated per Section 206 unless administrative controls are in place.