HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - NATIONAL LOCAL SAFETY PGM (2)I
Agenda Item: 49
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
'AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Darren Hernandez
DATE: March 25, 2008
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION BY VEOLIA TRANSPORTATION INC. ON ITS
NATIONAL AND LOCAL SAFETY PROGRAMS
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council receive presentation and written report from Veolia Transportation on its national and
local safety and training program.
BACKGROUND
At the February 12, 2008 Council meeting, Couricilmember Boydston requested a
presentation from Veolia, the City's transit contractor, on their safety practices. Corporate
representatives Drew Jones, Vice -President of Health, Safety and Security for Veolia
Transportation North America, and Kelly Smith, Director of Communication, will make the
presentation.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other actions as determined by Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Executive Summary
Written Report on Safety Program
Veolia Power Point Presentation on Safety
.' S
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Veolia Transport contracts with 5,000 transit authorities worldwide, where, through public-private
partnerships, we design and operate a variety of mobility solutions. We operate a variety of
transportation services, including fixed -route buses, bus rapid transit (BRT), rail, paratransit,
shuttles and taxis. In 27 countries around the globe, Veolia Transport has more than 82,000
employees on its worldwide team, and transports more than 2 billion passengers each year.
In North America, Veolia Transportation is the Number 1 operator of multiple modes of
passenger transport. From California to New Jersey, Ontario to Florida, Veolia is committed to
working hand in hand with its partners in 150 locations to find not only innovative transit
solutions, but sustainable ones. Our mission is.to meet.the needs of a mobile public, while at
the same time combating air pollution and highway congestion, thus protecting the environment.
As the leading private provider of public transportation, the safety of our employees, our
passengers and those living in the communities we serve is paramount. Veolia has invested in a
variety of superior and comprehensive safety and training programs under the banner World
Class Safety. But World Class Safety is not just a program. It is a culture that is reinforced from
the very top of our company.
You'll will see in the following document the emphasis Veolia places on standardized policies
and procedures; leadership training at every level of the organization; an innovative and
comprehensive approach to Operator Development Training and the use of such innovative
technology as DriveCam; and accountability through internal and external audits to ensure we
adhere to and even exceed Federal Department of Transportation standards.
We will also outline our initiatives for 2008 to ensure our emphasis at every level of the
organization remains achieving World Class Safety. Our dedication to being the safesty.
transportation company in the world is reflected in recognition Veolia Transportation has
received from its peers within the transport and safety industries. We'll outline several of those,
as well as provide testimonials from those most familiar with our programs and safety practices.
With this report, we hope you have a better understanding of 'The Veolia Way,' the core values
of our company and the importance we place on the safety of those with whom we come into
contact daily.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
II. Purpose
III. Programs, Policies and Procedures
IV. 2008 Initiatives
V. Recognition
VI. Closing
Veolia Transportation, Inc.
2015 Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, IL 60523
tel: 630 571 7070 - fax: 630-571-6454
www, veoliatranspoftation. corn
VEOLIA
TRANSPORTATION
I. INTRODUCTION — Who is Veolia Transportation?
Veolia Transport contracts with 5,000 transit authorities worldwide, where, through
public-private partnerships, we design and operate a variety of mobility solutions. We operate a
variety of transportation services, including fixed -route buses, bus rapid transit (BRT), rail,
paratransit, shuttles and taxis. In 27 countries around the globe, Veolia Transport has more than
82,000 employees on its worldwide team, and transports more than 2 billion passengers each
year. -
Veolia Transportation is part of Veolia Environnement, the largest environmental services
company in the world, with a rich history with more than 150 years of experience. And while we
bring global expertise to our partners around the world, we understand the importance of local
solutions and customized systems for those partners.
In North America, Veolia Transportation is the Number 1 operator of multiple modes of
passenger transport. From California to New Jersey, Ontario to Florida, Veolia is committed to
working hand in hand with its partners in 150 locations to find not only innovative transit
solutions, but sustainable ones. Our mission is to meet the needs of a mobile public, while at
the same time combating air pollution and highway congestion, thus protecting the environment.
Our core values require us to not only meet the needs of our partners and the traveling
public today by providing safe, quality transportation, but to do so in a way that preserves the
Earth we leave to our children tomorrow.
II. PURPOSE
As the leading private provider of public transportation, the safety of our employees, our
passengers and those living in the communities we serve is paramount. Veolia has invested in a
variety of superior and comprehensive safety and training programs under the banner World
Class Safety.
- But World Class Safety is not just a program. It is a culture that is reinforced from the
very top of our company.
You'll will see in the following paragraphs the emphasis Veolia places on standardized
policies and procedures; leadership training at every level of the organization; an innovative and
comprehensive approach to Operator Development Training; and accountability through internal
and external audits to ensure we adhere to and even exceed Federal Department of
Transportation standards.
The results can be seen in the numbers. The Federal Department of Transportation
Database compiles figures of recordable accidents within the bus industry. In 2005, the average
was listed as 1.55 recordable accidents per 100,000 miles. In 2007, Veolia Transportation
recorded .55 recordable accidents per 100,000, well below the national industry average. In our
Santa Clarita operation, which moves 3.7 million passengers over nearly 4 million miles, our
recordable rate in 2007 was .33 per 100,000, again, well below the national industry average.
We believe our commitment to World Class Safety at every level of our organization and
instilling these values into our company culture is a vital part in producing these results, results
that lead to superior performance with the highest level of safety.
Veolia Transportation, Inc.
2015 Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, IL 60523
tel; 630 57t 7070 - fax: 630-571-6454
www.vealiatranspor-tatiori.com
III. PROGRAMS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES
It is vital that our employees receive consistent, standardized training at every level of
the organization. To ensure this consistency, the following programs are at the core of Veolia's
commitment to safety.
• Standardized Policies and Procedures — Our World Class Safety practices are
standardized in all 150 locations across North America. These practices are built on proven
programs found in transit systems around the globe. There are tremendous benefits to Veolia's
approach, namely establishing for our employees and clients `The Veolia Way,' which further
contributes to building the culture of safety, a critical component of our core values.
• Leadership Education and Customized, Comprehensive Training — Even the most
innovation programs will fail without leadership at all levels, beginning at the top. Veolia's
"Leading the Way to World Class Safety" program ensures that from the CEO to the field
supervisor, everyone has a stake in the building a culture of safety. This 6 -hour, intense program
is required for all management within Veolia. It covers a variety of topics including
understanding human behavior; why accidents happen; communication skills; and leadership
principles and techniques. With this proactive approach, our focus is on behaviors, not
accidents. It emphasizes accountability and ownership and we believe the results will speak for
themselves in greater retention and few accidents.
• Operator Development Program — Veolia's own Operator Development Program is
considered the most comprehensive in the industry. Designed to meet the needs of an ever -
evolving transportation industry, Veolia researched and collected best practices around the
world but also retained flexibility within the program to ensure local input and customization. It is
based on modern adult learning theories and includes 40 hours of classroom, 10 hours of
closed course driving and 70 hours of true behind the wheel training.
The curriculum includes 20 DVDs with 33 performance standards, quizzes and tests.
Performance is documented in all operators' files.
With such sessions as "Concepts and Principles," "How to do the Job" and "Putting
Knowledge and Skills Together," the Operator Development Program ensures Veolia drivers
receive the comprehensive training needed to deliver safe, quality service.
Given the significant investment in the development of this type of program, an effective
implementation plan is critical. Veolia utilized all forms of communication — from postcards and
conference calls; to e-mail and Webinars, all followed up with an extensive internal auditing
process.
The benefits of the Operator Development Program not only,translates to a safer service
with fewer accidents, but can be seen in areas of improved retention, better system
performance and enhanced customer service.
• DriveCam Technology — DriveCam is a palm -sized, self-contained video event
recorder that is mounted on the windshield of a vehicle. The unit digitally records video and
audio events on the vehicle based on pre-set, G -force parameters. These G -force events are
caused by activities such as hard braking, acceleration, harsh cornering or a collision. When
activated by the event, the DriveCam unit automatically records the 10 seconds before and 10
seconds after the event. The events are downloaded when the vehicle returns to the yard and
subsequently reviewed, sorted and prioritized by supervisory staff using a simple software
program provided by DriveCam.
Veolia Transportation, Inc.
2015 Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, IL 60523
tel: 630 571 7070 - fax: 630-571-6454
www. veoliatransportation. corn
DriveCam provides timely feedback to the driver, allowing the opportunity to make
necessary adjustments to their driving behaviors. Management coaching/counseling of the
events will reinforce the steps or actions the driver needs to take to improve their driving
behaviors. These improved driving behaviors will:
CI Reduce vehicle accidents
❑ Reduce passenger injuries occurring in non -accident events
❑ Protect/reduce liability in accidents/passenger injuries
A well-known safety theory is referred to as Heinrich's "Accident Pyramid". According to
the Accident Pyramid, for every 300 unsafe acts or behaviors there will be 29 minor
accidents/incidents. Of these 29 minor accidents/incidents, 1 will result in a catastrophic event.
Since it is impossible to predict which of the 300 unsafe acts or behaviors may result in the
catastrophic event, the only way to prevent the catastrophic event is to focus on eliminating all
of the unsafe acts or behaviors. Veolia utilizes DriveCam to do just that.
Accidents are the result of a variety of factors coming together at the same time, often
with tragic results. However, since we cannot control all of the conditions that may contribute to
an accident (the behavior of other drivers, weather conditions, pedestrians, etc) we must focus
on what we can control - the behavior of our driver.
DriveCam enables us to identify and correct any unsafe driving behaviors of our drivers.
In response to the retraining and/or discipline following DriveCam events, our drivers modify
their behavior to avoid future retraining and/or discipline. Over time, the number of unsafe
driving behaviors by our employees is reduced. How many of these unsafe behaviors would
have led to preventable accidents is difficult to predict as not every unsafe act leads to an
accident. By reducing unsafe behavior we will reduce the number of preventable accidents.
• Internal and External Auditing Process — Veolia not only conducts its own internal
audits, but contracts with a third party to ensure compliance and indeed exceed the minimum
standards required by the federal, state, and local transportation authorities. These audits cover
areas such as programs, training and Department of Transportation files. Each location
identifies its own individual needs in these areas and is given the resources, yet flexibility to
customize their own programs.
IV. 2008 INITIATIVES
In the preceding paragraphs, we have outlined Veolia's comprehensive procedures and
programs. But we can never stop striving for better, more effective ways of providing safe
transportation to those who depend on us daily.
In just the first three months of 2008, Veolia Safety Department has taken immediate
action in several areas, including:
• Designated February as National Intersection Awareness month, with a renewed
emphasis and refresher training in safety meetings at our operations across North America
• Held a North American conference call with all management emphasizing safety as
THE top priority of Veolia Transportation
• Initiated monthly calls with identified locations across North America to ensure they are
doing everything they can to promote safe work practices.
In addition to these actions, the coming months will bring further initiatives for 2008, including:
Veolia Transportation, Inc.
201_i Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, IL 60523
tel: 630 577. 7070 - fax: 630-571-6454
www. ve.oliatrdn,portation.coni
An increased focus and accountability for DriveCam use at all locations
• Refined safety statistical reporting
• Safety Manager Certification Program
• Operator training process review and improvement plans
• Re-evaluation of general managers by safety directors to determine local
involvement and commitment to safety
• AON/Veolia partnership, comprehensive Injury Reduction Program
• National Safety Manager meeting
V. RECOGNITION
Veolia is proud of its rich history, performance and innovation around the globe. Through
many years of experience in the transportation industry, Veolia has received recognition from
partners and other industry professionals for our programs and our commitment to World Class
Safety. .
We do not take this lightly, but consider it the ultimate incentive to continue to find ways
to improve our service to an even greater level – in care of our customers, our employees and
those who entrust us with their safety every day.
"In my 25 years of experience with transportation providers, Veolia has demonstrated through
its policies and procedures a strong commitment to safety and training. By driving this culture of
World Class Safety from the top, Veolia continues to be an industry leader and model for others
entrusted with public safety."
— Ron Thackery
National Safety Council, Board of Directors
Vice President, NSC Transportation Division
"Veolia's leadership and operator training programs are state of the art. AON has been
extremely impressed by the interactive nature and the trained trainer concepts. The company's
commitment to enable and empower its employees while demonstrating support from the top
makes it a leader the industry and an example to others on the true meaning of World Class
Safety."
— Bill Murphy
Director, AON Global Risk Consulting
"Veolia's safety initiatives are truly world class. In everything they do, Veolia's team emphasizes
safety above all else. As a small property, our finances are limited. When we could not afford to
install monitoring equipment on our vehicles, Veolia installed Drive Cam for us. I have used
numerous clips to illustrate to our board members how the operators take their training and
apply a "safety first" attitude while they drive." — Mitzi
Javers
Executive Director
Central Midland's Regional Transit Authority
Veolia Transportation, Inc.
2015 Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, 1L 60523
tel: 630 571. 7070 - fax: 630-571.-6454
www, veoliatransportation, coni
J
l
Veolia has been recognized with several awards including:
• 2002 Transit System of the Year awarded to Santa Clarita by the American Public
Transportation Association
• 2007 International Social Initiative Award, a 27 -country competition, given to Veolia
Transportation's World Class Safety program
• 2007 CEO Who Gets It awarded to Veolia and its CEO in recognition for World Class Safety,
one of only nine given in North America, by the National Safety Council.
VI. CLOSING
Veolia Transportation is committed to being the leader in providing superior performance
in public transportation with an emphasis on the safe implementation of service. We recognize
that a tremendous amount of trust and confidence is placed in our 17,000 employees across
North America to do just that. We dedicate ourselves daily to earn that trust in a variety of ways
— through open communication with our partners, innovative training and safety programs
delivered to our employees and a solid commitment to providing the best in customer service to
our passengers.
We also have an eye to the future, meeting the needs of a constantly evolving
transportation industry, while preserving our natural resources and protecting the Earth we will
leave to our children. Our sustainable solutions, based on global expertise, are just one of the
many ways Veolia contributes to the quality of life in our cities around the world.
Yes, these are high standards, but they are standards to which we have all committed
ourselves.
With this report, we hope you have a better understanding of 'The Veolia Way,' the core
values of our company and the importance we place on the safety of those with whom we come
into contact daily.
Veolia Transportation, Inc,
2.01.5 Spring Road, Suite 750, Oak Brook, Il 60523
tel: 630 571 7070 ... Pax: 630-571-6454
www. veoliatranspattatinn. com
by the Numbers,
• 5,000 transit authorities
• 82,000 employees
• 27 countries
• 2 billion passengers per year
Veolia " Experience
.t
• Veolia is the world's leading private operator of public
transportation in Europe and the U.S., with expertise
in bus, rail, bus rapid transit, para -transit, shuttle and
taxi.
• In Santa Clarita, one of its 200 operations in the U.S.
and Canada, Veolia moves 3.7 million passengers
over nearly 4 million miles.
1
Our Mission
Veolia Transportation is committed to leading the way in
World Class Safety. We understand that safety is not
simply a program, but a culture.
Through the dedicated efforts of every team member -
from the top down - we continue to make safety a
cornerstone of our corporate culture, in order to earn
the confidence of those who entrust their own safety
and the safety of their loved ones to us every day.
I
What Can We Do?
• Attract Quality Applicants
• Select & Hire Only The Best
• Help Them Become Valuable and Contributing Members of a
Winning Team
• Educate, Train and Provide Support at all Levels
• Provide Leadership & Direction
• Promote and Continually Reinforce a True Culture of SAFETY
R
%jur
Fundamental.
Strategies
• Standardized Policies and Procedures
• Leadership Education and Customized,
Comprehensive Training
• Operator Development Program
• World Class Safety Practices
• Standardized across all locations.
• Build on best, .proven industry practices from
operations around the world
• Available as printed guide and on Internet
Leadership-,
'Leading
�� �°i}t �nr .<
o.World Class Safety
• Intense, self-directed learning
• Required for all leaders, beginning at the top
• Standardized approach to safety and
management leadership at all levels
ramiM
w
`The Veolia; V1/ay
'
• Professionally designed and developed, based on
modern adult learning theories
• Formulated based on best safety policies and
procedures with proven results around the world
• Classroom, closed course and behind -the -wheel
training
• Strict oversight and accountability for completion and
course study performance
• Fewer Accidents and Injuries
• Improved retention
• Consistency in Training
• Better System Performance
• Improved Customer Service
The national average of recordable accidents for the
bus industry in 2005 - 1.55 per 100,000 miles
Veolia's average in 2007 - .55 per 100,000 miles
Santa Clarita's average in 2007 -.33 per 100,000 miles
* Source: Federal Department of Transportation Database
VEOLIA
AP (s' TIM 0 t
j %.If
• 2002 Transit System of the Year awarded to Santa Clarita by
the American Public Transportation Association
• 2007 International Social Initiative Award, a 27 -country
competition, given to Veolia Transportation's World Class Safety
program
• 2007 CEO Who Gets It awarded to Veolia and its CEO in
recognition for World Class Safety, one of only nine given in
North America, by the National Safety Council.
l
`In my 25 years of experience with transportation providers, Veolia has demonstrated through its policies and
procedures a strong commitment to safety and training. By driving this culture of World Class Safety from
the top, Veolia continues to be an industry leader and model for others entrusted with public safety. "
— Ron Thackery
National Safety Council, Board of Directors
Vice President Overseeing NSC Transportation
Division
"Veolia's leadership and operator training programs are state of the art. AON has been extremely impressed by
the interactive nature and the trained trainer concepts. The company's commitment to enable and empower
its employees while demonstrating support from the top makes it a leader the industry and an example to
others on the true meaning of World Class Safety."
— Bill Murphy
Director, AON Global Risk Consulting
"Veolia's safety initiatives are truly world class. In everything they do, Veolia's team emphasizes safety above all
else. As a small property, our finances are limited. When we could not afford to install monitoring equipment
on our vehicles, Veolia installed DriveCam for us. I have used numerous clips to illustrate to our board
members how operators take their training and apply a 'safety first' attitude while they drive. "
— Mitzi Javers
Executive Director, Central Midland's Regional Transit
Authority