What Makes Something Fleet Safety Certified?

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Introduction

Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility; that maxim becomes even more critical when your workplace is on the road. Whether you work in fleet management or another logistics and transportation domain, you know safety is paramount. Far from being at odds with your organization’s financial goals, a sound safety management plan can reduce costs fleet-wide.

What Is Fleet Safety Certification?

Fleet safety certification is an optional certification offered by several nationwide organizations. There is no standard fleet safety certification for all fifty states in the United States. The aspiring fleet manager has many different program options to consider, which we’ll discuss in greater detail below.

Being fleet safety certified isn’t a prerequisite for a role as a fleet manager; the one credential required for the position is technically a high school diploma or GED. However, in today’s tight labor market, competition is fierce. Prospective candidates and those just beginning their career path may benefit from enrolling in a fleet safety certification program.

Similarly, a credential such as an OHSA Safety Certificate or diploma from a Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program may give fleet technicians looking to move up the ranks a competitive edge on job applications.

What Skills Does Fleet Safety Certification Teach?

We’ve derived the following list from the National Fleet Management Association (NAFA) list of eight disciplines for their Certified Automotive Fleet Manager program. To complete the CAFM, an individual must complete eight modules[1] covering such topics as:

1. Asset management. The first responsibility of any fleet manager is the safety of drivers and workers, but the second is asset management. Any fleet safety certification training will include skills such as sourcing cost-effective assets and vehicle procurement. A fleet manager must know the fleet’s condition and quickly replace damaged vehicles and parts. Because a fleet of company cars represents a significant capital investment, prudent asset management is essential to your organization’s success.

2. Fuel management. The variable costs of fuel heavily influence the cost of transportation. High fuel costs increase prices globally across industries due to the interconnected nature of supply chains. Competent fleet managers will understand how to manage fuel costs, maintain safe fuel storage on-site, be familiar with alternative fuels such as corn ethanol, and have multiple pathways for fuel procurement in case of an emergent scenario.

3. Risk management. The field of risk management in fleet safety covers insurance—a must-know skill for the job—as well as employee training and organizational safety policies and procedures. Proper planning and training can make all the difference in an emergency. Risk management training also involves thoroughly understanding environmental and hazardous chemical rules, regulations, and reports and how user driver behaviors increase or reduce risk.

4. Maintenance management. Mechanics make a natural fit for this side of the discipline, as do workers employed as fleet technicians. Fleet managers must understand their vehicles’ mechanical, technological, electrical, and fuel systems to direct repair technicians effectively. They must be able to maintain a safe maintenance facility and create safe working conditions for all.

5. Information management. Those with an intellectual or analytical bent may find the subdiscipline of fleet information management appealing. Fleet managers may be responsible for coordinating multiple information management systems and fleet telematics apps to simplify aspects of the process and possess the skills to analyze large swaths of data.

6. Financial and business management. Some fleet managers may specialize in the management side of things, ensuring good hiring and vetting processes, taking a generic Certified Management Professional program, or managing the cost of personal vehicle use.

Different Fleet Safety Certification Programs

CDL

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) isn’t a specialized fleet safety certification, but it enables individuals to operate large and heavy vehicles and those transporting dangerous goods. This certification is commonplace throughout the transportation industry.

Required experience: must possess a valid driver’s license and have one or two years experience driving non-commercial vehicles; must be over 21.

CTP Designation

The National Private Truck Council, a trade association for private fleet practitioners and retailers, offers the Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) program, consisting of at-home study modules and a day-long exam. The exam is offered twice annually.

OSHA Safety Certification

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers multiple Safety & Health Fundamentals certificates, educating workers and managers on reducing workplace incidents. OSHA offers specialized certifications for the construction and maritime industries.[2]

Required experience: none.

CAFM

Considered the “gold standard” of fleet safety certification programs, this eight-module online course must be completed in under three years. CAFM candidates must pass eight online exams for certification[3]. It seems worth the effort: Monster listed fleet management certification as the ninth most valuable certification for job seekers, claiming a typical pay increase of 27% for those holding certification versus those without accreditation.[4]

Required experience: none, but must be a NAFA member. Previous work experience is recommended.

NSC Defensive Driving Courses

The National Safety Council offers courses in defensive driving techniques to reduce the risk of automotive crashes. The NSC claims that vehicle-related crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatalities, and as the United States Congress’s designated safety organization, they’re a good authority on the matter. This program is designed for employers looking to certify their entire fleet and vehicle safety workforce.

Required experience: valid driver’s license.

NATMI Programs

The North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) offers two high-level certifications in fleet safety for fleet managers: the Certified Director of Safety (CDS) and the Certified Safety Supervisor (CSS) certificate programs.[5]

The Certified Safety Supervisor is suitable for advancing up the fleet safety ladder. In contrast, the Certified Director of Safety (CDS) certificate requires significantly more industry experience to apply for and is suitable for upper-level fleet managers managing large fleets full-time.

Each program consists of two required two-day workshops plus a certification exam.

Required experience: Two years in a fleet safety role for the CSS certificate. Five years of fleet safety management experience for the CDS program.

Developing A Fleet Safety Program For Your Facility

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: a joint safety committee issuing workplace safety policies with representatives from employees and management can reduce accidents on-site or on the road.

1. To uncover risk factors, use available data from fleet telematics software, vehicle diagnostic software, or mileage tracking apps.

2. Design policy based on industry best practices, personal experience, and your organization’s unique needs (specialized equipment, hazardous material handling procedures, etc.).

3. Meet with employee representatives to collaborate on the policy, balancing organizational priorities with employee needs and wants.

4. Remember that a safe workplace is a cost-effective workplace. Many accidents can be prevented with suitable procedures, and each accident costs your organization material costs, lost productivity, and increased insurance premiums.

5. Plan regular defensive driving training for drivers. Recertify your fleet safety license as required by the issuing organization.

6. Log safety incidents promptly.

7. Ensure the safety committee meets monthly or quarterly to discuss