NPTC Announces National Safety Conference

Arlington, VA – The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) will hold its eighth annual National Safety Conference September 9-10, 2010 at the Hyatt Dulles in Herndon, VA., which is located close to Dulles International Airport, just outside of Washington, D.C.

“Private fleets have worked hard to earn a reputation for unsurpassed safety excellence,” said Randy Perry, Fleet Safety Manager for Frito-Lay, Inc. and Chair of the NPTC Safety Committee. “According to the preliminary results from NPTC’s 2010 Benchmarking Survey, private fleets continue to achieve an accident rate lower than that registered by the trucking industry as a whole. Such strong performance can be attributed to building a culture of operational excellence, forged through continuous learning, training and best practices. One outstanding opportunity to enhance safety performance will occur at the National Safety Conference.”

This year’s safety conference has been designed to optimize return-on-investment for all attendees, according to Perry. Topics and speakers have been carefully chosen and represent the most relevant safety information available in the industry today. The entire program includes concise yet comprehensive information which is solution-centered and supplemented with extensive networking opportunities with speakers and guests alike. This value-focused approach helps attendees find just the right combination of safety ideas best suited for adaptation at their own companies, and more than justifies in multiple terms the cost of time and money to participate.

This highly acclaimed conference features a unique format of presentations, discussions with key government representatives, expert panels and leading safety advocates and practitioners – all designed to provide attendees with insights into implementing strategic safety programs and lowering the cost of risk.

The program kicks off with two separate keynote addresses – the first from Gov. Bill Graves, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, who will share his perspective about the myriad business, regulatory, environmental and infrastructure challenges that private fleets will face in their efforts to improve highway safety; and the second from Don Osterberg, Senior Vice President, Safety, Security & Driver Training for Schneider National, Inc., who will share his vision and program for building a culture of safety at one of the nation’s largest and most successful truckload carriers.

In addition to the opening presentations, specific panel presentations are planned on the following topics:

• CSA Panel Discussion — Regulatory compliance traditionally has been recognized as a foundation for safe operations. With the Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration promises to develop more effective and efficient methods for FMCSA, together with industry and state partners, to achieve its mission of reducing commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, fatalities, and injuries.

• Sleep Apnea: The Science, Regulatory Mandate and Liability — This session will detail critical information needed to support the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea from the private fleet perspective. Included will be the latest scientific evidence, the regulatory perspective, operational concerns and the liability issues.

• What Take-Away Lessons Fleets Can Learn from Accidents — Fleet safety performance and management philosophies often are the focal point of post-accident litigation. Compliance with federal regulations simply is not enough to protect your private fleet from legal exposure; therefore, setting a higher standard of safety practices in key areas may be in order. Learn from a leading practicing attorney and an insurance carrier executive how your fleet may be vulnerable and what you can do to help shield your operation from claims of negligence.

• Predictive Modeling — Learn how to identify any gaps and opportunities in your existing fleet risk management approach by investigating your performance in a number of safety related areas. Failure to properly control any of these areas can lead to increased safety, environmental, liability and operational costs. This audit can be used to make changes and implement sound risk management policies for the future and, in the process, help you minimize costs and make your organization more effective, safe and cost efficient.

• Case Studies in Excellence — Motivated by the fact that too many companies within American society accept motor vehicle crashes as a cost of doing business, certain private fleets are demanding change, taking accountability and adhering to a zero tolerance philosophy. Two of these private fleet practitioners will share how they have infused safety into their operations, beginning with a commitment from the top and reaches into every department, extending through the hiring, training, coaching, and performance review processes.

Another highlight of the program will be four concurrent “Safety in the Round Breakout Sessions,” that will focus on technology issues, driver compliance challenges, equipment and maintenance concerns and driver wellness initiatives. These sessions will be facilitated by private fleet safety professionals who will not only share their experience but will facilitate dialogue centered on improvement and operational excellence.

Finally, the National Safety Conference will feature the National Driver All-Stars Luncheon and Recognition Ceremony, followed by a driver panel presentation in which the award winning drivers will share insights and perspective on how fleets can elevate the role of the driver in achieving safety, compliance, and customer service objectives.

“The last three years, the National Safety Conference played to record attendance,” said Perry. “We want to encourage anybody that’s interested to act promptly to reserve their spot and to be a part of this valuable educational opportunity.”

For more information about the National Safety Conference, or to register for the meeting, visit NPTC’s website at www.nptc.org.

About NPTC
Founded in 1939, the National Private Truck Council is the only national trade association exclusively representing the interests of the private truck industry and corporate/business private truck fleet management. NPTC is the premier marketplace of information, networking and skill building for private fleet professionals as it leads in shaping the future of corporate transportation.

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