TOOLBOX TALK 44/60
TOPIC: VEHICLE SKID CONTROL
OBJECTIVE: TO ENSURE DRIVER SKID CONTROL SAFETY

• It doesn’t matter what you drive, if you lose control on a slippery road and start to skid, it’s scary.
• Even with better roads, better tyres, and anti-lock brakes, many drivers get into accidents because of a skid in bad weather.
• Your team could lose control of their equipment in any weather or road condition, but bad weather can increase their chances of skidding as much as 10 times.
• The only way they can reduce the chance of skidding is to adjust their driving for bad weather conditions. This means slowing down and giving themselves more time and distance to stop.
• Drive slower in rain, and go well below the posted speed limit in snow or ice.
• Allow more time to slow down when approaching other vehicles, intersections, curves, railroad crossings and the entrance to the job site.
• Give more distance to the vehicles ahead in wet weather; double your normal following distance.
• Make sure to select the proper gear before going up or down hill.
• Expect ice beneath underpasses, in the shade, or at higher altitudes.
• When the temperature is below freezing, roads that were wet during the day, can become icy after the sun goes down.
• Tell your team that when they do have to stop, do it slowly. Never jam on the brakes. This may lock the wheels and throw them into a skid.