PestSure’s Safety and Loss Prevention Conference had various speakers talk about how to prevent distracted in pest control businesses. PHOTO: PESTSURE
To raise awareness on distracted driving with pest control business owners and managers, PestSure hosted more than 100 of its insureds for its annual Safety and Loss Prevention Conference in Memphis, Tenn., on Sept. 27-28.
The conference was designed to help owners and managers identify strategies to mitigate the number of distracted driving incidents and reduce the financial impact that accompanies it.
Keynoting the event was Dr. Paul Atchley, of the University of South Florida, who discussed “The Science Behind Distracted Driving.”
Dr. Atchley told attendees multitasking while driving — trying to make a phone call, respond to a text, adjust the radio — all the while staying focused on the road is a myth. While many drivers feel they are capable of multitasking while behind the wheel, Dr. Atchley said research and crash statistic data proves otherwise, especially with younger drivers.
“You need your brain to drive safely, and multitasking is an impossible task for the brain and attempting to do it while driving is a recipe for disaster,” Dr. Atchley said.
Supporting Dr. Atchley’s position is research showing that drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal crashes. There are nearly 1,000 more deaths per year among 25- to 34-year-olds than drivers under 25.
Dr. Atchley said to change driver behavior, owners and managers must change attitudes, and that will take work. His recommendations included structuring distracted driving education along the following:
- Leadership: It starts at the top and filters down — “I can do it/you can do it.”
- Education: The why of the change, why we want to eliminate distracted driving.
- Rules: We have rules against driving drunk/alcohol in the work vehicle so why not the same for distracted driving.
- Monitor for Compliance: Let everyone know phone records will be checked randomly and checked post-accident.
- Enforcement: Provide training up to and including termination.
“Achieving positive change in safety begins with awareness, and the PestSure Safety and Loss Prevention Conference is not just a gathering—it’s a commitment to safeguarding the shared future of not only our insureds but the industry as a whole,” said Todd Burke, COO of PestSure. “By actively pursuing the latest information on safety best practices, especially when it comes to distracted driving, our insureds are fortifying their organizations against the challenges they and their employees face when it comes to creating a safer workplace.”
Featured sessions at the two-day event covered a wide array of safety and loss prevention topics impacting pest control professionals. The agenda included:
- Better Employee Retention: Debbie Taranto, Lloyd Pest Control
- Managing Your GPS Data: John Judge, Certus Pest
- Employee: Asset or Liability – Abby Thalachelloor, Tate Eperjesi, and Kim Barrett, PestSure/Sedgwick
- OSHA Heat Illness: Jay Yarsinske, Terminix
- Engaging Leadership in the Safety Battle: Richard Spencer, Arrow Exterminators
- Reasonable Suspicion: Understanding Impairment: Michael Barnes, Unique Background Solutions
- Situational Awareness: Mark Sheperdigian, Rose Pest Solutions
- PestSure Nurse Consultation: Carrie Layton, Sedgwick
- PPE They Choose to Use: Sam Kendrick, Arrow Exterminators
About the Author
Ellen Wagner is the digital editor for PMP magazine. She can be reached at ewagner@northcoastmedia.net.
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