2016 FAPT Spring Driver Trainer’s Workshop

1. 2016 FAPT Spring Driver Trainer’s Workshop Personal Wellness Self-Assessment & Self Protection

2. Today’s Objectives By the conclusion of this In-service, transportation professionals will be able to: • List 3 ways you can be sure you are ready to come to work, and 3 things that may prevent you from being your best. • List 3 specific ways you can protect yourself from injury and illness. • Describe how route hypnosis and road rage can inhibit your ability to transport passengers safely. • Describe the dangers of certain over-the-counter medications as well as prescription drugs.

3. Your Personal Pre-trip • Am I well-rested and alert? • Am I physically fit – ready for the challenges of the day? • Am I suffering from illness or allergies? • Are there any after-effects from nighttime medication? • Am I looking forward to my day? • Have I resolved all conflicts or can I put them aside? • Is passenger safety my top priority? • Use this checklist to assess your readiness to come to work • Do you have: • Health issues or fatigue? • A healthy outlook or mental well-being? • The opportunity for a good night’s rest?

4. Your Health Matters! • Can you: • Manage your lively passengers • Maintain physical control of the bus? • Ensure your senses are sharp and alert? • Can you actively watch: • Your mirrors? • Pedestrians at the bus stop? • Traffic all around the vehicle? • When is it time to say when?

5. Driver Fatigue • Fatigue • Reduces our ability to focus • Slows physical and mental skills and abilities • Response time • Concentration • Awareness • Attitude! • Do you ever find yourself: • Resting your head at red lights? • Taking mini-naps between routes? • When tired, we make mistakes. • Most school bus accidents happen in the afternoon, when the kids are wired and we are at our most tired!

6. No Substitutions for Adequate Rest • Be sure to get enough sleep – 7 to 8 hours! • Establish a bedtime and a routine • Your body will establish an internal clock for your regular bedtime • Sleep in a dark, quiet room – turn off the TV, radio, and Internet

7. Sleep Apnea • What Happens? • The balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood is upset • Waking episodes are necessary to restart breathing (and save your life) • You may not remember, but these episodes disrupt your deep sleep • Sleep Apnea • Disruption of breathing while sleeping • 90 percent of people who have it don’t know it! • If left untreated, this common disorder can be life-threatening Seek Medical Opinion – Do Not “Self-diagnose”

8. The Need for Water • Our bodies are 75% water • Water is used to flush out toxins and waste • Majority of Americans go through life dehydrated • It is recommended the average person consume 8 to 10 glasses of water daily! If you feel thirsty – you are already dehydrated!

9. Mental Health Concerns • Aggressive driving • Road rage • Route hypnosis • Stress All can make us “short-tempered” and less tolerant with students!

10. Road Rage • Do you have it? Have you ever: • Driven or stopped too close to the vehicle in front of you to intimidate the other driver? • Sped up or closed the gap to prevent someone from cutting in front of you? • Slammed on the brakes because someone was following too closely? • Honked or yelled or displayed an obscene gesture at another driver? In a School Bus?

11. Route Hypnosis • Have you ever: • Driven for a distance and realized you couldn’t remember getting there? • Dropped off (or picked up) a student, but couldn’t remember doing it? • Caught yourself in a fixed stare? At 50 mph (73.3 feet per second), you travel 21,990 feet in five minutes That is nearly 4.2 miles!

12. Managing Stress • De-stress • Practice slow breathing • Talk about issues early • Keep your sense of humor • Be generous with others • Exercise regularly • Do something relaxing – hobby, reading, etc. • Stress may be unavoidable • Pay attention to what your body is telling you • Our reactions vary: • Depression • Pain – physical symptoms • Suppressed immune system

13. Get Moving! • Establish a regular exercise routine • Start out slow and build your exercise program • Exercise with a friend—make it fun • Start an exercise club at work • Walk between routes/runs—even 15 minutes a day will make a difference! • Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine

14. Stretching Exercises While You Wait

15. Medication Prescription OTC (Over-the-Counter) If you are taking medication that could affect your ability to do your job, you should: Provide a statement from your personal physician that the medication does not impair your ability to do your job Tell your personal physician what you do for a living (if they say you cannot drive – you cannot drive!) Always read the label for possible side effects Some may cause drowsiness Speak with the pharmacist–tell them what you do for a living– Ask about potential side-effects Discuss potential concerns when mixing OTC with prescription drugs

16. Alcohol After-effects • Would having a hangover affect my driving ability, or how I interact with passengers? • When must I stop drinking? • What is the rate at which alcohol leaves the body?

17. Safety on the Job • The highest number of injuries within a school district occurs in the transportation department! • Bus yard incidents • Slips, trips, and falls • Lifting injuries to back, legs, and neck • Exposure to health risk

18. Bus Yard Incidents • Weather conditions could create low visibility • Many buses running at once, creating noise and possibly fog from the exhaust • Many buses leaving as well—is that bus backing or checking the back-up alarm? • Back up alarms are common in the morning and afternoon; it is possible to become immune to the sound. Carry a flashlight See and Be Seen!

19. Protecting Yourself • Avoiding slips, trips, and falls • Wear appropriate closed toe/heel, non-skid shoes • Use the handrail when entering or exiting the bus • Keep your head up, eyes focused and your mind alert when crossing the bus yard—when available use the designated walkways • Whenever possible don’t walk behind vehicles

20. Universal Precautions To protect yourself from body fluids which may contain bloodborne pathogens: • Use the cleanup kit (provided) for any body fluid clean up • Always wear protective gloves • Be sure to follow proper glove removal procedures to avoid transfer of body fluid to your skin • Protect yourself from illness, use hand sanitizer when soap/water are not available • Always wash your hands with soap and water whenever you come into contact with body fluids

21. Operating the Lift • Always secure the door to the open position. • When operating the lift • Be visible (around traffic, etc.) • Pay attention to your surroundings • Stand to the side of the lift • Be sure you know where your feet and hands are!

22. Safety Attitude • Feel proud of the job you are doing–it matters! • A safety attitude will show in everything you do • Don’t allow yourself to fall in with negativity • Even if others are doing it, it is still wrong • A positive state of mind is yours–no one can take it from you, unless you let them! • Be the change you want to see in the department!

23. In-service– Review Questions • What are three signs you are ready to come to work? • What are some ways to protect yourself from injury and illness on the job? • How can route hypnosis and road rage inhibit your ability to transport passengers safely? • What is one thing you learned today or one thing you plan to do differently after today?

24. Thank you! For your participation Your time and attention Your continued commitment to the safety