Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
vehicle all day, it's probably even more dangerous because they are spending a lot of time on the road." This is especially true if the company vehicle – for example, a cargo van with few windows – is differ- ent from what an employee is accustomed to driving. Offering driver training shows employ- ees you are committed to them and dem- onstrates to customers and suppliers that Hit the Road Most business owners spend considerable time and money deciding how they are going to present the company to the world: elements such as the storefront, advertis- ing, logos, front-line personnel and even letterhead all have an impact on customers' impressions. What they may not consider is the impact of an employee getting behind the wheel of a company vehicle. "If you're going to hire someone to drive a company vehicle, you want to make sure they're properly trained for the vehicle they're driving," says Ron Wilson, manager of operations for AMA Fleet Safety. "Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do every day. If people are driving a company AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE • As an authorized registry agent, AMA Regis- tries can register and maintain your corporate information. Register a business name, update your corporate records, fi le annual returns and much more. Plus, keep your company documents organized with our Minute Book. ama.ab.ca/CorporateRegistries • Small-business savings are available at a wide variety of participating retailers through Show Your Card & Save. AMARewards.ca/SavingsGuide • AMA Fleet Safety Services offers courses especially geared to drivers of company vehicles. These range from one-hour online tutorials to daylong classroom sessions and road instruc- tion. 1-877-474-8717 (Northern Alberta) or 1-877-567-5459 (Southern Alberta); AMAFleetSafety.ca • Protect your investment with a customized insurance portfolio from AMA Insurance. AMA offers business property insurance, commercial auto insurance and other coverage. AMAInsurance.ca/Business; 1-888-446-3276 • Invest in one of your most important assets – your staff. Contact an AMA life advisor to ask about setting up an employee benefi ts plan for your small business. AMAInsurance.ca/LifeAdvisor; 1-877-822-5433 the company is managed conscientiously. Wilson suggests that employers continue the drive-safe culture when training is over by creating a road safety policy that includes training, mentoring and a series of expectations for employees whenever they are operating a vehicle. These can include performing a vehicle walk-around and daily vehicle inspection, and carrying a road safety kit. WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2011 53 iStock