The Importance and Relevance of Safety in the Trucking Industry: My Experience as an Operations Intern

As I enter my fifth week as an operations intern at J.B. Hunt, I’ve observed a lot of safety related practices that have piqued my interest. I’ve experienced countless safety briefings with drivers and managers alike, not to mention a winter storm that shut down most of the region. Throughout the past month, I’ve grown to notice the amount of care and compassion J.B. Hunt takes when investing in their employees; drivers or not. That being said, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on and highlight the issues that I’ve learned about in the trucking industry as well as how J.B. Hunt and its managers take the extra step to ensure proper safety related practices.

Dangers in the Trucking Industry

In the courses I’ve taken through the University of Arkansas supply chain program, I’ve learned a lot about the risks and safety hazards associated with the trucking industry. A few safety concerns I’ve learned about in my courses and employee trainings include dangerous weather conditions, mental and physical strain on drivers, as well as occupational hazards. Though these are all tremendous safety issues in the transportation industry, the silver lining is that a lot of these dangerous situations can be largely prevented and managed before they occur; something I’ve witnessed throughout my first month with J.B. Hunt. ?

How to combat Dangers in the Trucking Industry

???????????The biggest key that I’ve witnessed in safety related instances is prevention training. Taking an active role in training before an incident occurs can be the difference between life in death in some instances. For driving conditions, ensuring your drivers know how to handle their equipment properly in the event of poor weather is something that is and should be continuously reviewed. Something I’ve also gathered from my trainings thus far is that complacency truly is the antithesis of progression, which heavily relates in the context of continuous safety revisions.

???????????Driver safety trainings are typically the first thing most people think about when discussing the dangers of trucking, but there are also some that aren’t immediately thought of such as the mental and physical strain placed on drivers. Ensuring that our drivers are taking care of their wellbeing is crucial to ensure safe practices in the office and on the road. Making sure our drivers are getting the proper amount of sleep and eating a good meal before a long haul are two of the easiest ways to maintain safe driving conditions. This can also be applied to the threat of occupational safety hazards. Proper training in regard to lifting heavy machinery, slips and falls can largely reduce the amount of occupational safety hazards that occur on a day-to-day basis.

My Safety Related Experiences as an Operations Intern Thus Far

???????????With the knowledge I’ve gained both at the university and during my internship, I’d like to reflect on some of the ways I’ve seen safe practices implemented at J.B. Hunt. The tremendous changes in weather since the beginning of 2023 has provided days of sunshine, rain, snow and ice —emphasis on the ice. The ending weeks of January developed some of the worst driving conditions recorded in recent years in the state of Arkansas. This had a big impact on the freight moved during the nation wide winter storm and it was interesting seeing how a major transportation company handled a temporary pause in operation. As an intern, I had the privilege of attending numerous regional and account specific safety briefings as well as safety roundtables with drivers. Seeing the prevalence of safety awareness on both the corporate side as well as in the field where my internship takes place has been a tremendous testament to the role that safety takes at J.B. Hunt.

???????????Aside from more acute safety concerns like weather related conditions, I’ve been able to witness the everyday activities of drivers and managers that ensure safe conditions. One example I see every day is the 10-point inspection. This inspection ensures that all motor vehicles and trailers are in mint operating conditions and are in accordance with the Department of Transportation requirements. This is just one example of how the habitual practices drivers and managers take every day can add up to a safer transportation environment for both companies and employees.

From learning about the trucking industry in a classroom to seeing it in real time, I can’t express how the education I’ve received from the University of Arkansas Supply Chain Management department has prepared me for this role. Additionally, the trainings I’ve completed at J.B. Hunt have been not only informative, but practical in my everyday duties as an operations intern.?