Due Diligence : Meaning and Neccessity

Due Diligence is a word you may get tired of hearing in the transportation industry. I know I do. Have you ever wondered what they mean when they say it ? Why is it imortant ? Well it conveys the use of common sense and forethough in everything we do to be safe and responsible for our actions and consequences.

According to the Legal Services Branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, due diligence is defined as:
All reasonable care has been taken to avoid the prohibited act.

How do you show due diligence? Here’s a checklist you can use:

1.Do you have a health & safety policy, and specific rules and policies to govern health and safety at your workplace?
2.Do you give all employees adequate orientation training before they start any new job?
3.Do you provide initial and ongoing training to employees?
4.Do you appoint a competent person to supervise work?
5.Do you identify, monitor and control hazards in your workplace?
6.Do you communicate hazards and risks to your employees?
7.Do you hold regular Health & Safety Meetings?
8.Do you enforce your safety procedures?

As we move into the next decade the transportation industry is going to make some big changes. One I believe is in the procurement of driver responsibilty. If a driver commits an offense causing bodily injury the company he represents is on the hook. Our industry is trying to implement due diligence with the introduction of CSA 2010. This in my opinion allows employers to better qualify their drivers, and good drivers to better find quality companies.

I believe that if you are someone who takes pride in the quality of their work the CSA 2010 will make things better for you in the long run.

 Just remeber that with due diligence comes due success.