Page 18 - The Edge - Summer 2021

AASBO SPRING CONFERENCE

BY DON HARRIS
Dave Frandsen
Bus Driver Safety Involves More Than Traffic and Kids

There’s a lot more to transportation safety than accidents are the leading cause of injuries, there are
driving a school bus, such as dealing with potentially other types of potential causes of injuries.
dangerous situations in bus barns and recognizing
physical and mental signs of stress. Frandsen told of recently inspecting a school site
when he spotted portable goal posts that apparently
During breakout session April 8 as part of AASBO’s were damaged and would dip over if kids hung on
virtual Spring Conference, Dave Frandsen of The them. He notified facilities staff and within minutes
Trust provided insightful tips on ways to reduce employees showed up and fixed the problem. Safety
and even avoid accidents and injuries. He covered involves how quickly you address a potential
transportation safety topics that some districts problem, he said.
forget or neglect when training staff. While bus
“Let your people know that safety is important – you
want them to speak up,” Frandsen said. “Develop a
safety culture in the Transportation Department. Be
a safety champion.”

Slips, trips and falls represent the second cause of
injuries for bus drivers, especially in transportation
barns and yards, but also getting on and off buses.
Frandsen blamed a lack of proper equipment,
policies, procedures and awareness. Some people
have unsafe behavior, saying they’ve always done it
that way. “Educate and train employees about what
is safe and what is not safe,” Frandsen said

A big concern as part of training drivers involves
jumping out of the rear of a bus within 30 seconds.
Drivers can sit and slide out to minimize the impact.
Work with them if, for any reason including weight
or knee issues, they have trouble jumping out of a
bus, Frandsen said.

He emphasized the importance of drivers having
proper, yet comfortable, footwear to avoid slips
and trips. A slip-resistant sole is very important, but
sandals are out.

Make sure employees use ladders properly, he said,
adding, “Step ladders are everywhere, chairs are
gone. Nobody is standing on chairs anymore. A
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18 THE EDGE SUMMER 2021