Driver Health & Safety: Our Top Priority
Driver safety
When it comes to trucking, nothing is more important than safety. That’s why we are always investing in training, equipment and incentives that minimize injuries and accidents. Here are a few examples:
- Front- and side-facing in-cab safety cameras help drivers monitor what’s going on around them. (Halvor does not have cameras facing into their truck cabs).
- Automatic braking systems keep our trucks at safe following distances.
- Quarterly safety training ensures drivers stay up-to-date on best driving practices.
- An experienced driving coach is available to answer driver questions and provide one-on-one coaching and support.
- Drivers who avoid accidents and incidents receive bonuses, thank you gifts and recognition (more below).
- Flatbed drivers receive a week of one-on-one training to ensure safety.
Thanks to this and more, our drivers maintain solid safety records, according to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and organizations like the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).
Safety is job #1 at Halvor Lines. From new driver training to equipment maintenance, safety influences every aspect of our culture. So we were very honored when the Minnesota Transportation Association gave us their 2022 Safety Grand Champion Award.
Halvor named 2022 MTA Grand Champion
“Safety is a team effort,” says CEO Jon Vinje. We’re proud of our drivers for their safety records and of the mechanics, safety staff, trainers and others on our team who support our safety culture across Halvor Lines.”
Halvor emphasizes safety when hiring and training drivers – and it’s integrated into every aspect of our Halvor Gold CDL Training program. We select instructors and driver trainers with outstanding safety records to ensure best practices are modeled during OTR training.
“I don’t think it is a coincidence that we earned this Grand Champion Award after Halvor Gold trainees practice safe load securement Halvor Gold graduates techniques at Halvor’s IGH training facility.
were out on the road,” says Safety Director Ryan Johnson. “We designed the CDL program to teach drivers ‘the Halvor Way,’ which means emphasizing safe driving practices right from the start.”
Halvor’s safety record is also due to thoughtful investments in equipment and technology, supported by talented mechanics, road support staff, dispatchers and safety team members. “Our mechanics and technicians deserve a lot of credit for our strong safety record,” says Halvor President Ryan Fraley. “They make sure that trucks and trailers make it in for regularly scheduled maintenance. And our in-house road service team provides 24/7 support to drivers who need assistance away from our terminals.
If you drive for Halvor, you’re familiar with the safety technology that supports on-road safety, including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and safety cameras – all tools that have proven to
be a valuable tool in helping drivers maintain and even improve safe driving skills.
Halvor’s strong safety culture is a reason that many drivers choose and stay with the company. “The Halvor safety culture is very real,” says Luoma, who was a 2020 MTA Driver of the Month. “It is a way of life here and it rubs off on drivers. And it’s not just us – drivers and the company staff are equally invested in it. We travel the same highway, for sure.”
Health and Wellness
We work to keep our drivers and all employees healthy through a variety of award-winning programs and services, which are overseen by Jason Crisp, our in-house health & wellness coordinator. Jason is a certified personal trainer with additional certification as a tobacco cessation specialist.
Jason is available to assist drivers and staff with a variety of health- and wellness-related topics. He can also provide information on the facilities, equipment and services Halvor offers to drivers and staff interested in achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyles. These include:
- Portable exercise equipment for your truck
- Terminal workout facilities
- Personal training tips
- Nutritional counseling
- Meal planning
- Smoking cessation
- Free annual health screenings
- Mental health counseling through our Employee Assistance program
At Halvor, we know our success rests on the people who work for us – so we do our best to take care of them, on the road and off.
If you’re wondering what a workout program might look like when you are on the road, watch Jason demonstrate how to get and stay strong in just 10 minutes a day using some basic equipment and your truck.
