Whether you are a start-up business or a well-established corporation, it is your responsibility as a manager to provide your employees with all means they need to perform their jobs effectively. One such means that is a necessity especially for car rental companies, construction companies and government agencies is the fleet car.

Generally, fleet cars refer to the groups of motor vehicles workers use as part of their employment. Not only do these vehicles need to be in great shape, but they should also include important tools and equipment to ensure the safety of the drivers.

The thing is there are particular federal rules and regulations which demand specific emergency equipment on all transportation power units, so companies should definitely include these accessories to further protect their interests as well as their employees’ life.

To find out more about this, here is a list of five essential safety items every fleet car should be equipped with.

Flags

Safety flags are one of the most important pieces of equipment your fleet vehicle should carry. They are a great alternative for flares because they don’t pose a risk for producing flame like flares do, especially if your vehicles transport liquids or flammable gas.

The main purpose of these vehicle warning whips is to provide easy identification of the fleet car in the most obstructed and dark environments. They usually come in fluorescent colors which allow for the vehicle to be seen in extreme weather conditions or from great distances.

When placing it, just make sure the flag is smaller than twelve square inches with a base so it stands in an upright position.

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is another important component of fleet cars. This includes a high visibility vest, gloves, and eye protection, hearing protection, as well as suitable clothing.

For example, the vest should also be in fluorescent color and have retro-reflective stripes on the front and back. It is worn by the occupants so they can be easily seen on the road in case rescue is needed. They are used in conjunction with the traffic cones in order to reduce the chances of passengers getting injured by oncoming traffic.

Gloves are another important personal protective tool that drivers use in case they need to work under the hood or dig their truck out of the snow.

First aid and safety items

A misconception people often have about first aid kits is that they are essential only for actual workplaces. However, this is wrong because they should also be included in fleet vehicles as they include tools that are needed for emergencies on the go.

Generally, a complete first aid kit should include band-aids, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze and other first-aid essentials. Besides these, there should be certified rescue blankets for each potential traveler. This piece of equipment comes in handy in unwanted situations to keep passengers warm until help arrives.

Also, make sure you include a defibrillator to use in case a passenger suffers a cardiac arrest while on the road.

Photo by Mat Napo from Unsplash

A basic toolset

If your fleet vehicles are on the road most of the time, you should also include a basic toolset in case a flat tire occurs or the car’s battery dies. Some of these automobile extras are jumper cables, spare tires, tire pressure gauges, screwdrivers, adjustable pliers, and heavy-duty pocket knives.

For example, winters can get really tough on vehicles, causing the battery to succumb to the cold and die out. The best way to bring your vehicle’s battery back to life is to use jumper cables to recharge it. If you need a further boost, ask for help from a fellow driver you encounter on the road.

Final thoughts

If you are working with fleet vehicles, it is your responsibility as a manager to ensure that your employees are safe and well prepared in the event of an emergency while on the road. In fact, including all necessary safety tools is actually demanded by federal regulations which require certain emergency equipment to be on all transportation power units.

If you aren’t sure what safety items your fleet should carry, use our post as a guide to prepare your vehicles for any emergency and protect both your workers and your interests.