Plan your trip

• Allow yourself some extra time to reach your destination.
• Be aware of the latest road conditions prior to leaving and check anticipated weather for your route.
• Have alternate routes ready in case of road closures.
• Bring along extra water, snacks, “winter coat”.
• Make sure your cell phone is working properly and is charged.

Prepare for Emergencies

• Know what to do if you are involved in a vehicle breakdown.
• Don’t fear. Remember, common sense is usually the best way to handle situations.
• Pull as far off the road as possible (your greatest personal danger at this point is that of being hit by a passing vehicle)
• Bring along extra water, snacks, “winter coat”.
• Know your physical limitations. Do not over exert yourself, especially when shoveling snow by pacing yourself and taking short breaks as needed.

Prepare For Other Drivers

• Be very observant. Watch other vehicles and scan for possible dangers.
• Be conscious that visibility is often limited in winter by poor weather conditions and we do drive white colored vehicles.
• Be especially careful when approaching curves and intersections. Inexperienced drivers may lose control.

Slow down

• Posted highway speed limits are for dry, clear pavement.
• Decelerate well in advance of an intersection/curve/turn.

Adjust your speed to current conditions. There will be days and routes that conditions change from when it was safe to drive 55mph to a short distance later when only 25mph would be a safe speed. It will always take longer to be pulled out of ditch than it would have been to just have slowed down!

• Always wear appropriate footwear for the weather conditions
• Always use a solid 3 point contact stance when entering and exiting vehicle cabs

Since our vehicles have ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), which is designed to prevent your wheels from locking up when braking, make sure you understand that a constant pressure from your foot is required. When the ABS engages, you'll hear a rumble from the brakes and the brake pedal will vibrate under your foot. The ABS computer is controlling which wheel is braking in order to prevent a skid. Resist the temptation to take your foot off the brake while ABS is engaged; maintain constant pedal pressure. If you are not sure what types of brakes your vehicle has, re-read the owner’s manual or ask for additional instructions.

Summary:

Preparation is KEY!

• Before leaving on your trip, be sure to prepare (1) Your vehicle (2) Yourself
• Slow down and leave extra space between your vehicle and others
• Be extra cautious when driving on bridges/overpasses, blowing/drifting snow and on black ice
• Know how to properly use your vehicle’s ABS. When brakes are engaged, you will hear a rumble and feel a vibration. Do not release your foot from the brake.

Driver News:

In September, Madison driver Curtis Deck and in October, Paul Klabacka in Madison celebrated their 5-year anniversary with Superior.

Headliners in the Headlights

Keith is the lead driver at our new Joliet IL location. Prior to the purchase by SHL Keith worked at the Joliet location for over 8 years. Keith currently resides in Lake Village, IN having been raised in Chicago. Keith and his wife enjoy raising their four children, Tyler 15, Sandra 12, Ashley 9, and Liam 4. Some of Keith’s previous jobs include electrician, store manager, commercial well drilling, and even a repossessor! Keith’s special interests include volunteering for the Autistic Children’s Foundation and just about anything related to performing or recording music.

Most people may not know that Keith is a lifelong guitarist/bassist and has performed at many venues throughout the Chicagoland area.

December Birthdays Dec. 5th – Mariano Tinajero in Madison Dec. 13th – Dennis Sershon in Batavia Dec. 24th – Lee Wegner in Cudahy Dec. 30th – Enrique Escobedo in Batavia

Reminder: Company policy forbids all non-SHL employees from riding in company trucks.

Rich’s Ramblings

Since the last issue of the Driver’s Newsletter we’ve experienced several special occasions. Thanksgiving has come and gone and I hope that you were able to spend time with your families. This is not always easy with our SHL delivery schedules. Another special occasion for many of us is the deer hunting season. If you went hunting I hope you were successful and if so, please share your hunting experience with me. I’d be happy to share your story and any photos of your deer.

Another company milestone was the installation of “rental linen” into the University of Chicago Medical Center on November 12 and 13. The Joliet plant is primarily a COG laundry (customer owned goods) so this is a big change for the Joliet facility. Major changes include the way soiled linen is sorted as well as the processing of daily orders.

On November 10th the four driver supervisors, (Rich Prewett, Dennis Sershon, Lee Wegner and Keith Thomas) and I were able to have a meeting at our newest facility, Joliet. After touring the Joliet plant we discussed a number of topics related to our transportation department. I’d like to share some of the important information I learned during this meeting.

I was very pleased to learn that each driver supervisor feels that they have a very good team of drivers at their respective SHL facility. Having confidence in every SHL driver to perform their daily duties correctly, safely, and in a professional manner is very reassuring.

We determined that there is a need for driver training in three areas:

1. Log book violations at the time of vehicle and driver inspections are causing our CSA scores to be higher than acceptable. Please take the time to enter and review your log book data at each “change of duty status”. The driver supervisors will be working with individual drivers to correctly complete the log book entries,
2. Drivers will be provided information and trained on the proper “Dos and Don’ts” at the time of a DOT roadside inspection. If you have any questions regarding these inspections please discuss with your supervisor. It is important to understand your rights during these inspections.
3. Vehicle maintenance issues are also causing higher than acceptable CSA scores. As a driver you must check your vehicle daily. Burned out lights is our leading violation in “vehicle maintenance”. You know the importance of headlights, tail-lights, and brake lights but even marker lights result in a violation. Please take the time to pre-trip and post-trip your vehicle. All drivers should know that any burned out lights need to be replaced immediately and drivers should know that they can take any truck or trailer to the leasing company for replacement of these items, you don’t need supervisor permission to get these types of repairs.

Several trucks and trailers will be replaced in 2012. We are always looking to acquire trucks, tractors, and trailers that will best fit our needs. We discussed getting trucks with “tuck under / ride level” lifts. Original costs, maintenance costs and down time are always deciding factors when ordering equipment but so are your opinions and suggestions. Your thoughts will very much be appreciated as we look to improve our fleet.

I want to express my thanks to all Superior Health Linen drivers for a very successful 2011. We experienced a very safe year with no major accidents and no major injuries. Please continue your work and driving excellence during the coming year.

Our transportation team is made up of a diverse group of individuals living in three different states. We have men and women drivers. We are black, white and Hispanic. We are from different parts of the world with different religious beliefs and ideologies but we have one thing in common: We Are Superior Drivers!

It’s my wish that you and your families have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Safe Driving To All,
Rich Mulcahy
Director of Fleet Services