March 12, 2013

OE-3 2013-01: Lack of Familiarity with Infrequently Operated Vehicles Puts Drivers in Danger

This Operating Experience Level 3 provides information on a significant recurring safety concern related to Department of Energy (DOE) site employees and contractors who check out and drive vehicles with which they are unfamiliar. Employees frequently check out vehicles for work-related activities and may not be familiar with the operation of safety controls and other features of that specific vehicle. This lack of operating experience puts them in potential danger, as evidenced by three recent occurrences. The employees involved in these occurrences were not aware of the dangers inherent in configurations where it was difficult to see and operate safety controls such as parking brake releases. Accordingly, this OE-3 document provides recommended actions for improving personal safety and operational awareness when driving unfamiliar vehicles.