But this job can be dangerous. As a business owner, you need to make sure your technicians are safe and protected.

In this article, we’ll talk about some tips to make HVAC technicians safer. We’ll explain why safety is so important and share some facts and trends about HVAC safety. We’ll talk about personal protective equipment (PPE). We’ll also give you some important HVAC safety tips and things you can do right away to stay safe. Let’s start!

Why Safety Should Be a Priority for HVAC Technicians

It’s essential to keep HVAC techs safe for a few reasons:

• Dangers. HVAC work involves dealing with electrical equipment, high-voltage systems, and heavy machinery. This makes the risk of getting shocked, burned, or injured higher.
• Health. HVAC technicians might come in contact with harmful things like chemicals and refrigerants. Breathing in these things can make them sick in the long run. It’s important to follow safety rules and wear protective gear to stay healthy.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. HVAC systems, especially heating systems, can produce a gas called carbon monoxide. If they’re not maintained or vented properly, this gas can be really dangerous. It can even cause serious health problems or death.

Keeping your HVAC business safe protects your technicians from HVAC safety hazards. It also helps your business’s reputation. When customers see that you care about safety, they trust your services more. 

Let’s see how safety can help your business.

Taking Care of Your Technicians

When you make safety a priority for your HVAC technicians, it shows that you care about them. This makes your business look good and trustworthy.

Customers like companies that value their employees and take their safety seriously. These companies are more reliable to customers.

Providing Excellent Services

Safety measures help HVAC technicians do their job better. When they follow safety rules, they can work more efficiently. They provide great service to customers.

By focusing on safety, the quality of your services improves. This makes customers happy, and they write positive reviews.

Building Trust and Dependability

Having a strong safety culture in your HVAC business builds trust and dependability. When customers see that you have a good safety program, they trust you to take care of their HVAC needs.

Trust and dependability are really important to customers. If you have a good reputation in these areas, customers will stay loyal and come back to you.

Standing Out from the Competition

In a competitive market, safety can make your HVAC business different from others. It shows that you’re responsible and reliable.

It also shows that you care a lot about creating a safe workplace. This makes people want to choose your business over others.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: HVAC Marketing Strategies: How to Get More Leads

Positive Reviews and Recommendations

When customers feel safe and well taken care of, they tell other people about your business. This word-of-mouth advertising is really powerful. Positive reviews and recommendations can make your business look great.

Compliance with Regulations

By focusing on safety, you make sure your business follows all the rules and standards in the HVAC industry. This shows that you’re a responsible business. It also improves your reputation.

HVAC Safety Stats and Trends

Statistics and trends shed light on key HVAC safety concerns. Using these trends, you can identify areas in your business that need improvement. From there, you can design effective safety measures.

Here are some noteworthy stats and trends:

• High Rates of Injury. HVAC technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses among occupations. Potential hazards include electrical shock and burns. Muscle strains and injuries from handling heavy equipment are also common issues. Proactive measures and proper HVAC safety training are vital for technicians.
• Fatal Work Injuries. In 2021, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States. This marks an 8.9-percent increase from the previous year. This shows how important it is to have a safe working environment. All technicians should follow strict safety rules to prevent accidents.
• Chemical Exposure. Pressurized gas cylinders are often found on the back of an HVAC technician’s work truck. They can pose significant risks. Extreme summer temperatures can turn these cylinders into fire hazards. They can even cause explosions. Proper storage, handling, and transportation of gas cylinders are crucial to prevent accidents. Safety recommendations from the American Welding Society (AWS) can help mitigate these risks.
• Dangerous Driving. Driving to different job sites can be risky. If HVAC technicians get distracted, drive too fast, or act recklessly, accidents can happen. Safe driving practices and obeying traffic rules keep everyone safe on the road.
• Ladder-Related Falls. Each year in the US, over 100 people die, and thousands more are injured due to ladder-related falls. HVAC technicians often need to work at elevated heights. This increases the risk of falls.

The Importance of PPE

When it comes to the safety of HVAC technicians, personal protective equipment is vital.

PPE is specially designed gear that helps protect workers from potential hazards. It keeps them safe while they work on HVAC systems.

Here are some essential pieces of PPE that professional HVAC technicians should always use:

• Proper Clothing: HVAC technicians should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. They should choose durable materials like cotton or polyester. These clothes provide a protective layer. This shields their skin from cuts, scrapes, and exposure to harmful substances.
• Steel-Toed Boots. Steel-toed boots are a must-have for HVAC technicians. These boots have reinforced toes made of steel. They provide extra protection for the feet. They can prevent injuries from heavy objects falling on the feet or accidents involving equipment or tools. Steel-toed boots also offer better stability. They provide support, reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
• Work Gloves. Work gloves are essential for HVAC technicians. They protect their hands from various hazards. These gloves act as a barrier against cuts, burns, and chemical exposure. When handling HVAC equipment or working with sharp objects, gloves with good grip provide better control. They help prevent accidents. They also offer insulation against electrical shock when working with electrical wiring.
• Safety Glasses. Safety glasses are an important piece of PPE for HVAC technicians to protect their eyes. These glasses shield the eyes from debris, dust, and harmful chemicals. HVAC systems can produce particles that may cause eye injuries when they become airborne. Wearing safety glasses ensures the technicians’ eyes are well-protected. Glasses with side shields are particularly effective. This reduces the risk of potential eye damage.
• Earplugs: The loud noises generated by HVAC systems can be harmful to the ears. This includes noises from air conditioning units and fans. HVAC technicians should wear earplugs to protect their hearing. Earplugs help reduce the intensity of the noise, making it safer for the technicians’ ears. By wearing earplugs, HVAC technicians can prevent long-term hearing loss.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: The 11 Best Safety Glasses

5 Essential Safety Tips for HVAC Technicians

The safety of HVAC technicians is critical. The good news? There are several policies, processes, and equipment you can adopt. These measures help create a safer working environment. They also reduce the risk of accidents or injuries.

Let’s explore 5 essential HVAC safety tips.

1. Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment

To keep HVAC technicians safe, give them protective gear. They need equipment like goggles, gloves, hard hats, and masks. This gear protects them from chemicals, falling things, and airborne particles. Make sure technicians know how to wear and take care of their gear. It’s vital for their safety.

2. Adopting Safety Precautions for Electrical Equipment

Working with electricity is an important part of an HVAC technician’s job. Here’s how to keep them safe:

• Additional Electrical Safety Training. Make sure your technicians get special training on electrical safety. They’ll learn about the dangers of electricity and how to stay safe. They’ll also learn the right steps to take when using electrical equipment.
• Regular Inspections. Your technicians should regularly check electrical wiring. They need to look for any damage or problems. This helps prevent accidents like shocks or fires.
• Proper Handling. Teach your technicians how to handle electrical equipment safely. They need to know to turn off the power and use insulated tools. This lowers the risk of getting shocked.

3. Ensuring Safety During HVAC Servicing Procedures

When working on HVAC systems, technicians must follow safety procedures. Here are some important tips to remember:

• Good Ventilation. Make sure there’s enough fresh air when working in small spaces. This prevents harmful gases from building up, like carbon monoxide. Fresh air keeps your team safe and helps them breathe better.
• Lockout and Tagout. Before fixing HVAC systems, turn off the power and lock it in place. Attach a tag to show someone’s working on it. This stops accidents and protects the worker from electricity.
• Lift with Care. When lifting heavy things, bend the knees and keep the back straight. Use the leg muscles to lift. This prevents hurting the muscles or bones.
• Regular Maintenance. Keep HVAC systems in good shape by checking them often. Clean them and replace filters. Look for any damage or problems. Fixing issues early on stops them from getting worse.

4. Resisting the Temptation of Shortcuts

Taking shortcuts is never a good idea. Skipping steps or rushing through tasks can be tempting, but it’s not safe.

Here’s why it’s important to follow the proper steps:

• Keeps Everyone Safe. HVAC systems are complicated. Following the right steps makes sure safety measures are in place. Taking shortcuts can put the technician and others at risk.
• Protects Equipment. HVAC systems need careful handling. Taking shortcuts can damage equipment. Technicians might do something wrong or fix something incorrectly. This affects how well the system works. It also increases the chance of accidents.
• Reduces Mistakes. When technicians rush or take shortcuts, they might forget important things. They could skip necessary checks. Mistakes become more likely, and that can be dangerous.
• Shows Professionalism. Following proper procedures shows that technicians are professional. It means they are careful and do their tasks well. This is good for the technician and the HVAC business.

Remember, taking shortcuts might seem fast, but it’s not safe. HVAC technicians should always follow the proper processes. This keeps them and others safe.

5. Encouraging Open Communication and Reporting Hazards

Communication is important for keeping everyone safe at work. This is especially true between HVAC technicians and business leaders.

Here’s why it matters and how to promote it:

• Open Reporting. Technicians should feel comfortable reporting any safety problems or worries they have. They should know they can speak up without any fear. It’s important for business leaders to listen and take their concerns seriously.
• Sharing Ideas. Technicians should share their experiences and suggest ways to make things safer. They can talk about what they’ve learned and what improvements they think should be made. Business leaders should encourage this and value their input.
• Safety Meetings. Regular meetings can be held to talk about safety. They’re called toolbox talks. In these meetings, you can discuss possible dangers and give tips on how to stay safe. Technicians can ask questions and talk about any concerns they have.
• Promoting Safety. These meetings help remind everyone about the rules for staying safe. They create a culture where safety is important to everyone. When everyone is involved, it makes the workplace safer.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: HVAC Sales Tips to Help You Close More Business

Follow These 3 Steps and Take Action Now

Safety should be a top priority for your HVAC business. To ensure the well-being of your technicians and enhance your business reputation, it’s important to be proactive.

Follow these three easy steps and take action now.

Step 1: Review Your PPE 

Check if your safety gear is in good condition. Look for any signs of wear, like tears or broken parts. Make sure everything is clean and working properly. If something is damaged, replace it right away. PPE keeps your technicians safe.

Step 2: Make a List of What You Need 

Make a list of the safety gear you need to buy or replace. Think about what your technicians need for their work. Consider things like cost, quality, and availability when choosing the right gear.

Step 3: Have a Safety Meeting 

Schedule a meeting with your team to talk about safety. Make sure everyone knows how important PPE is and how to use it correctly.

Discuss any changes to safety rules or procedures. Encourage your technicians to report any problems or concerns. Let them ask questions and share their experiences. This meeting will help create a safe working environment.

The post 5 Helpful Tips for Improving Safety for HVAC Service Technicians appeared first on Service Fusion.

The challenge is that there’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is SEER2. That’s right, SEER2 replaced the old guidelines for HVAC equipment at the start of 2023, impacting heating and cooling equipment such as AC units, heat pumps, single packaged units, and mini-splits.

What does this mean for you? Well, with spring on the horizon, let’s dive deeper into SEER2 compliance through the lens of AC systems.

Understanding SEER2

Here’s what you know: Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), the rating that measures cooling performance, impacts your AC business every day. It dictates the systems you can install based on specific energy conservation standards but isn’t universal across regions in the U.S. Instead, standards are split into three groups: north, southwest, and southeast. Overall, the higher the number, the more efficient the AC system. SEER is determined by dividing a normalized cooling output for a typical season by the total electric energy input for that same period of time.

But the game’s changed.

After years of planning and whispers, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finally rolled out SEER2 at the start of 2023. And while a few things remain constant—such as the need for higher efficiency numbers and regional differences—the testing procedures are much different.

SEER2 Changes

When the DOE created SEER2, the idea was to align efficiency ratings with real-world operating conditions. After all, outdated SEER testing does not accurately emulate the influence of things such as ductwork. Along these lines, the new M1 testing requirements focus on a few key pieces. The biggie is your equipment’s static pressure. SEER2’s M1 testing raises this by a factor of five—from 1/10 inch of water to ½ inch of water—accounting for how HVAC systems work in houses and buildings. But what changes on the side customers will see more is the new higher minimum ratings.

Getting Onboard with SEER2 Compliance

SEER2 compliance makes the AC units your technicians install and maintain more efficient. Think of the benefits for your operation: fewer emergency calls for systems malfunctioning and even a chance to be greener with a smaller carbon footprint. 

Customers probably won’t complain, either. With new minimum efficiency standards, they’re set to save a pretty penny on energy bills. In fact, the DOE estimates residents will save $2.5 billion-$12.2 billion between 2023-2052! 

So what are the updated standards, anyway? Let’s review.

SEER2 Compliance Requirements

Air-conditioning system compliance with SEER2 is based on manufacturing date. That means when a commercial or residential AC system was built directly affects whether or not it lives up to requirements. For SEER2, systems manufactured and installed on or after Jan. 1, 2023, may or may not have certain limitations based on your region.

North Region

The north region has streamlined compliance guidelines for AC units that allow some flexibility to clear out older inventory. Here, 13.0 SEER ACs built before Jan. 1, 2023, can still be installed. 

New requirement to remember: 

• Residential AC above or below 45,000 Btu must have a SEER2 rating of 13.4 (equal to 14.0 SEER).

Southeast and southwest regions

Both the southwest and southeast regions follow the same SEER2 standards. However, they’re a bit more rigid. That is to say, ACs that don’t meet the new SEER2 guidelines cannot be installed, leaving older 13.0 SEER ACs unusable.

New requirements to remember:

• Residential AC below 45,000 Btu must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3 (equal to 15.0 SEER).
• Residential AC above 45,000 Btu must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8 (equal to 14.5 SEER).

Do the best for your customers and your AC business by maintaining SEER2 compliance. Operate within these guidelines for your region, and keep an eye on any applicable updates.

Make SEER2 Compliance a Priority

Times change, and the days of SEER standards are behind us. But SEER2 compliance gives companies like yours a chance to give greater weight to the operating environments the AC units you install will live in—and deliver customer savings to boot. Keep in step with the standards for your region moving forward to continue delivering excellent service. 

Want more key industry insights? Subscribe to the Service Fusion blog for the latest news and updates. 

The post How to Stay SEER2 Compliant appeared first on Service Fusion.

As a leader, your role is crucial in helping your team transition to remote work. You want to be able to provide virtual opportunities to keep everyone engaged and productive. Service Fusion can help you and your team to stay focused on delivering your best service — no matter where you’re working.

When you use an all-in-one field service software like Service Fusion to level up your productivity, your team can make a bigger impact when everyone has a connected view of real-time data across the entire organization. Think of it as one centralized system for all your service needs, such as online estimating and invoicing, easy scheduling and dispatching, and more — all on the cloud to keep your team safe and healthy.

Here are 5 ways to use Service Fusion for remote work and help your teams stay connected from anywhere.

Use “Customer Management” to Store All Important Customer Information and Access History

One of the most common scenarios of working in an office is being able to locate all your documents in the filing cabinet. But that’s a hassle to bring home and the chances of you misplacing the files inside are likely high. That’s why we recommend using a cloud-based hub like Service Fusion’s Field Service Management Solution to house all your customers’ information including job photos, service history, documents, payments, and you can even add virtual sticky notes to customer accounts, just like you would with a physical file. By digitizing all your paperwork, this allows your team to retrieve important information in a better and faster way.

Keep Your Technicians Up to Date with Field Technician Mobile Application

If keeping your team and customers updated on your work is a challenge, status updates and real-time communications are the solution. With Field Technician Mobile App, communications between customers, field technicians, and office staff have never been easier. You have a one-stop-shop to:

• Receive job and estimate assignments
• Access customer notes and history
• Send automated reminders to customers before scheduled jobs and activate on-the-way alerts
• Invoice and process payments in real-time
• And more

Provide a Reliable Way to Send Invoices and Collect Payments—from a Safe Distance

When you’re working remotely, you want to be able to ensure customers that you have security options in place when sending out invoices and receiving payments upon job completion. There’s no need for physical contact to finalize a project when you can convert single or multiple jobs to invoices in a single click.

With Service Fusion, you can receive check, cash, or credit card payments with a built-in, free payment gateway. You’ll quickly build customer loyalty by using technology in a way that keeps your customers safe and hassle-free. Additionally, Service Fusion is a QuickBooks Solution Provider that can provide you with discounts on QuickBooks and other Intuit products and services that you can sync with.

Manage Your Remote Team and Business with VoIP Phone Solutions

ServiceCall.ai, Service Fusion’s VoIP phone solution built for service contractors, is a great way to take even more control of your business by allowing you to track where your new and existing customers’ calls are coming from and what the outcome of those calls are. You can also track the productivity of each one of your users. VoIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol is a phone system that replaces your clunky hardware phones and puts it online.

If you’re thinking about remote work, Service Fusion is currently offering a special promotion on making ServiceCall.ai free for up to two users and lines until May.*

Accelerate Contacts and Other Types of Agreements with Touchless eSign Solutions

By this time, you’ve probably learned that you can operate your service business 100% remotely until the actual day of service fulfillment. We understand your organization runs on contracts and other types of agreements so we made eSign to help you send and sign agreements securely in minutes, rather than days, and increase the convenience and safety of your customers and team members.

With eSign, you’ll be able to:

• Turn any custom single or multi-single page document into an eSign document
• Send eSign requests directly from within estimate and job screens
• Create custom eSign request email templates
• Preview and download eSign documents as PDFs
• Customers can eSign directly from their personal devices

Welcoming a New Way to Work from Anywhere

Remote work can seem overwhelming, especially if you haven’t had the chance to try it before. The bright side of this is that you have access to affordable modern tools to help you navigate the world of remote working. Be open to how technology can shape the way you run your business and observe how it can put you ahead of your competitors by adopting high-tech solutions at a small business cost. Learn how Service Fusion can help your team stay safe, productive, and connected anywhere.

The post 5 Ways to Run Your Service Business From Anywhere appeared first on Service Fusion.

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VoIP tools are great ways to keep your business operating at 100% with your team all working remotely from the office.

VoIP, which stands for Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol, takes your phone system and puts it online. All of your calls are routed and managed through the internet and provided to you via a web browser application, like ServiceCall.ai, or native application on your computer.

What are The Benefits of VoIP?

1. Phone calls can be managed on your computer.Having the ability to check voicemails, make and receive calls right from your PC or laptop eliminates the need for bulky, expensive hardware that takes up office space and immobilizes you. ServiceCall.ai enables you to telework anywhere and have real-time instant communication so you won’t ever have to miss out on important conversations.
2. Security/encryption.A professionally installed VoIP network is highly secure. In addition, many analog phone systems for businesses are becoming outdated and getting less developed. With analog phones trajecting on a downward slope, support becomes less and less available — leaving your business vulnerable to data and security breach.
3. Automated assistance.Automated assistance is pretty common in today’s call systems. Someone calls in and has options to make contact with your business, then gets routed to the appropriate department/service. ServiceCall.ai’s automated assistance makes it easy for your team to manage operations smoothly when your business starts getting an influx of calls and gives your customers options to receive the services they need the first time around.
4. Call recording.This is a game-changer capability that not only you can leverage for training and improvement opportunities for your call team, but also for your technicians. Call recording allows technicians to listen on calls before arriving and be fully informed on job details and expectations. This level of service and preparedness makes your customers feel like they were valued and heard the first time.
5. Increased productivity.ServiceCall.ai has proven to increase productivity because it decreases the amount of time a customer spends on a call with you which as a result, frees up your time to perform other tasks that need to get done quickly and efficiently. Specifically, features like Ring-a-Tech allows customers to make contact directly with their assigned technicians so they can better plan their day for service fulfillment.
6. Easier to track calls.A VoIP system like ServiceCall.ai makes call tracking processes easy to leverage and allows you to gain key insights when making important business decisions. The user experience is designed to be simple and easy to see where your calls and business is coming from, and what the outcome of those calls are.
7. More data to analyze.In conjunction with call tracking, ServiceCall.ai unlocks your capability to gain a wide range of data insights to hone in on your business. Insights like call agents’ daily performance analytics allow you to make informed decisions on scheduling, training, and marketing.
8. Cost-effective.As we’ve mentioned earlier, having a VoIP system allows you to reduce overhead costs by having less expensive hardware and makes it easy to manage call-flow optimization since calls are coming directly from your computer. It may seem like penny and nickel savings, but that starts to add up on a larger scale as you grow your business. Additionally, you’re saving hundreds of dollars on analog phone systems by purely switching to a VoIP system like ServiceCall.ai that you can take advantage of no matter where you are.

Conclusion

As technology continues to make its strides in the service industry, VoIP services, like ServiceCall.ai, are answering many, if not all, of the primary communication needs companies require from telephone systems. Ensure your teams are working together to better understand and recognize the value of VoIP so that you can continue to deliver your best service from anywhere. If you’re considering moving your business to a remote work model with the help of ServiceCall.ai, don’t hesitate to reach out to Service Fusion and schedule a free demo today.

The post How VoIP Phone Solutions Can Help Your Remote Staff appeared first on Service Fusion.

About $6 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft in 2018. The average dollar loss per theft is $8,407. As you can imagine, the cost of company fleets and assets can majorly set back operational productivity and growth, especially when the vehicles themselves are an extension of your business.

In addition to helping prevent theft, understanding how GPS fleet tracking software works holistically can help you save time and money and maximize resource investments.

Why GPS Fleet Tracking Software?

In recent years, technology has advanced to make it difficult for criminals looking to make a quick buck. Today, investing in GPS tracking technology not only provides added security for both your vehicles and assets, but another layer of protection for your drivers as well.

With a GPS fleet tracking system integrated into your org’s processes, you gain better visibility and dynamic data across every facet of your daily fleet management. Using the power of high-tech modern tools, GPS fleet tracking gathers numerous data insights such as idle time, driving behaviors, tech visibility, compliance, and more to provide your team and your customers the most effective way to give and receive service.

That’s why it’s important to understand what kind of value you’re getting for your investment, should you ever choose a GPS tracking solution for your business. While GPS fleet tracking serves a multitude of purposes, small business owners may be unsure of what kind of software and products fit their specialized needs.

Maximize your efficiency with field service management software that does laps around the competition.

If you’re looking for a high-level overview to get started, below are the top three benefits you will gain from implementing GPS fleet tracking software into your fleet management:

• Get real-time visibility into your mobile workforce with live-location of vehicles, search historical data on the fly, and gain peace of mind knowing where your assets and drivers are at all times
• Accidents happen almost too frequently, minimize distracted drivers and eliminate risky driving behaviors like rapid acceleration. Preventing speeding can significantly reduce fuel costs and most importantly ‒ ensures the safety of your drivers.
• Get automated live-alerts when your fleet is in operation outside of set business times and geofencing parameters. This allows you to act quickly and notify law enforcement of unauthorized use as soon as it happens and increase the likelihood of recovering any stolen assets and vehicles.

GPS Technology Continues to Transform the Field Service World

GPS tracking systems have become essential for both small and large businesses that have a mobile workforce. In the last year, there has been substantial growth in field service companies using GPS tracking and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

According to the Fleet Tracking Trends Report, there was a rise in fleets that used GPS tracking software in 2019, the total of which 98% reported having gained extraordinary benefits for their companies.

However, companies aren’t the only ones who are enjoying the perks of GPS fleet tracking.

Gone are the days of your customers wondering where and when their technician is going to arrive. With real-time GPS tracking and alerts available to your customers, they can keep track of who your tech is, how far away they are, and send and receive text messages if needed ‒‒ all from the comfort of their own preferred devices. This gives your customers the best service experience while keeping your call volume down and saving time.

If you’re wondering how GPS tracking systems can improve your bottom line, the proof is in the metrics. GPS fleet tracking is proven to provide an immediate ROI of over 1,000% in the first year alone. If you’d like any help with getting more information or scheduling a free demo, reach out, and we’ll be happy to help you get started.

The post Why You Need GPS Fleet Tracking Software for Your Business appeared first on Service Fusion.

Technicians who drive safely are more likely to avoid wrecks and keep their customers’ service appointments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1,700 occupational transportation deaths occur every year. Technicians that drive recklessly pose a risk to themselves, the company, and other drivers, so it’s time to make sure your employees are abiding by the rules of the road.

For legal and safety purposes, the next step in training your technicians should be to administer a road test. Keeping safety standards at the forefront of business operations will drastically improve workplace safety and allow day to day operations to run smoother.

Perform an Evaluation

Administering a driving test may seem out of the ordinary for a business, but it’s the safest and most precise way to evaluate your staff’s driving abilities. Since driving tests are already organized by municipal transportation departments, you’ll already have everything you need! To obtain your local agency’s road test checklist, just do a quick search online. Of course, most agencies use a fairly standard set of metrics when reviewing driver performance, so it should be at least familiar to everyone on your team.

The Missouri Department of Transportation advised that when employers are in the vehicle with their technicians, they should make sure their techs know how to operate key features like the headlights and windshield wipers. Additionally, fill your techs in on the gauges and what they represent in case they’ve never learned that information before or need a reminder. Keep in mind that even if this training and evaluation is just a refresher for your techs, it is essential that your workers understand the service vehicles they drive. This will also help you quickly recognize any developing mechanical issues that may have been causing problems before.

When you do start driving with your employees during the evaluation, there are several safety aspects to look for:

• Check to see how they handle four-way stops and other common roadway situations
• See how well they can perpendicular and parallel park
• Assess how close they stay within the speed limit

If you live in a particularly snowy region, it might be beneficial to add a winter-driving portion to your test as well. Your driving test and evaluation can help determine whether or not your employees are ready for the road, but if you find that some are lacking in either technical road skills or knowledge, there are additional steps you can take.

Offering Extra Advice

Occasionally, we let some traffic rules slip if we aren’t avid about remembering them. Everyone knows that texting and driving is definitely not allowed, but if several cars approach a four way stop at the same time, do you remember whether it starts clockwise or counterclockwise for who goes first? If this sounds like some of your employees, you should give them specific feedback on their driving performance.

In order make sure your technicians are getting the training they need for efficient and safe day to day performance, consider developing a driver safety program tailored to your operation. These training programs should always include a certification portion to validate driver performance, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Overall, driving tests and safety programs will keep your workers and others safe as they navigate communities.

Monitor, Evaluate, and Grow with GPS Fleet Tracking

For even more supervision as your techs go to and from their service jobs, consider implementing Service Fusion’s GPS Fleet Tracking software. This software technology is just one of many useful tools that can help ensure your technicians are operating their service vehicles efficiently. Save your business time and money by gaining visibility into your mobile workforce and improve driving behavior, reduce fuel costs, prevent unauthorized use, and more.

This feature also allows you to provide your customers the visibility and information they desire. With ‘Track My Tech’ from Service Fusion, your customers can see how far away your technician is, an estimated time of arrival, their name, and even a picture of them. In addition, provide your customers the ability to contact your technicians directly. For more information visit our GPS Fleet Tracking product tour page!

The post What You Should Know Before Sending Techs Out on the Road appeared first on Service Fusion.

In 2015, around 88 car accidents occurred every day in the U.S., according to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These incidents pose a serious risk to everyone on the road, especially when wintery weather starts to get involved. Ice, snow, or sleet; you name it and you can bet that it can cause an accident for those driving.

With this in mind, it is up to business owners and managers to prepare their service technicians for hazardous driving conditions. If you’re not sure how to provide your staff what they need to safely serve customers as temperatures drop and snow falls, we are here to help. Here are some of the most effective strategies for keeping technicians safe as they drive on wintery roads.

Promote proper vehicle maintenance

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; everyone knows that vehicle breakdowns are always inconvenient. A bout of vehicle trouble during the winter months, however, can leave drivers and passengers out in the cold, literally.

A great way to prevent breakdowns from cold weather, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is to properly maintain service fleets. This involves having maintenance personnel evaluate batteries and tire tread levels before approving vehicles for winter service. That way, service technicians can start their vehicles without issues and safely navigate to their service job.

Other mechanical features such as exterior and interior lights and windshield wipers help drivers assess road conditions and maintain a clear view through the windshield. These safety features need to be assessed for proper function before sending drivers out on the road.

Stock vehicles with wintertime supplies

Now that your service vehicles are ready for the wintery roads, it’s time to prepare for what may happen once they’re out there. The National Safety Council recommends that service business managers plan for the unexpected and stock company vehicles with emergency equipment. Spare tires, jumper cables, and snow melts are good places to start to ensure your technicians are prepared for vehicle failures and hazardous weather.

OSHA also advises field crews to carry blankets, food, and water to use in the event they are stranded in a snowstorm or another form of intense weather. These items may seem mundane, but they can truly save lives. After all, your customers depend on their technicians to be prepared for anything, whether that is a disastrous leak in their home or a sudden blast of snow on the road.

Carefully plan field operations

In the service industry, managers and supervisors know how to meticulously schedule their customers’ jobs. What service companies may not know, however, is that during winter, scheduling becomes especially valuable. Something as simple as a work schedule can lead to immense improvements in worker safety, according to OSHA. Supervisors should be incorporating weather reports into their scheduling in order to determine the safest driving routes for technicians. This is just one other way field leaders can help their crews avoid dangerous roadway situations.

The care and attention to detail given to vehicles and road conditions during the winter months can help service businesses keep their technicians safe. Each step taken to optimize business practices can help owners run their company more effectively. Now, service business owners can go a step further in protecting their company by implementing service management software, which facilitates optimal field visibility and integrates with other safety-friendly modules, such as GPS fleet tracking. Learn more or request a demo from Service Fusion!

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