TARRY HOUSE, INC.

 

Subject:  Transportation Policy                                    

 

Procedure Number:  H.S. 15

Site: Tarry House & Tarry House Respite

 

Issued By: Executive Director

Effective: 9/18/98

Approved By: The Board of Trustees

Revised: 5/16/01; 5/31/06

Reference Policy:

Reviewed: 1/21/00; 3/01/01; 12/19/02; 2/13/04; 7/20/05; 5/31/06; 10/6/08

 

Standards Reference:

CARF: Section 1 E & F

ODMH: 5122-30-12

 

I.                   Purpose

 

To provide all Tarry House, Inc. staff, Board Members, volunteers and contract employees with guidelines for the use of the Agency vehicles and privately owned vehicles being used for work purposes.

 

II.                Policy

 

It is the policy of Tarry House, Inc. to promote a safe working environment for all staff, visitors, volunteers and persons served. To this end, it is the responsibility of all Tarry House staff and volunteers to follow all applicable safety rules, work rules, policies and procedures. All Tarry House, Inc. vehicles used to transport persons served will contain first aid supplies, an approved fire extinguisher, written procedures for handling emergencies and proof of insurance.

 

The following guidelines and procedures will be followed by all staff and volunteers when operating any agency vehicle, when operating a privately owned vehicle while on agency business, and while operating either forms of vehicle when transporting persons served or others for agency purposes.

 

      Minimum Requirements

 

A.  All Tarry House, Inc. Staff and volunteers must have a valid Ohio driver license or another state’s equivalent.  If they process a driver license from another state, they must obtain an Ohio driver license within the time frame specified by the State of Ohio.

B.  For those staff and volunteers using privately owned vehicles for work purposes, the vehicle must be insured according to the laws of the State of Ohio.

C.  For all staff and volunteers operating agency owned vehicle(s), they shall not have any more than four (4) points assessed against their driver license may be dismissed from employment due to their being unable to drive the agency vehicle.

D.  No person who has been involved in causing a traffic fatality or convicted of DUI shall be permitted to operate agency owned vehicles.

E.  All persons operating agency vehicles shall be physically and mentally able to perform all the functions associated with operating a motor vehicle.

F. Certain driver license restrictions may disqualify an individual from operating agency owned vehicle(s) and/or being permitted to use privately owned vehicles for agency business.  Staff and volunteers are expected to adhere to all driver license restrictions.

G.  All staff and volunteers must inform management when points are assessed against their license.

 

Guidelines For Operating Agency owned Vehicles

 

 1.  All vehicle occupants must use the vehicle’s passive restraint mechanisms (seatbelts/airbags).

 2.  No smoking is permitted in any agency owned vehicle.

 3.  Food and beverage consumption is prohibited.

 4.  Vehicles must be cleaned after every use.

 5.  All receipts for vehicle operational purchases must be turned in to the program manager.

 6.  All traffic accidents, damage to the vehicle(s) and traffic citations must be reported to the Tarry House, Inc. business office immediately.

 7.  Agency vehicles are to be used for agency business only.

 8.  Agency vehicles are to be kept locked & on Tarry House, Inc. property when not in use, except by

 permission of the Executive Director.

 9.  Vehicle keys must be kept in a specified location when the vehicle(s) is not in use.

10.  Agency vehicle(s) use must be pre-authorized.

11.  All traffic laws must be obeyed when operating agency owned vehicles.

12.  Staff must never leave the vehicle running or with the keys in the ignition when they exit the vehicle, (FOR ANY REASON).

13.  When operating any agency owned vehicle, the operator should ensure that they carry a cell phone, the first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.

 

Guidelines For Operating Privately Owned Vehicles

 

1.  All vehicle occupants must use the vehicle’s passive restraint mechanisms (seatbelts and airbags).

2.  All traffic accidents, damage to the vehicle and traffic citations occurring while on agency business must   be reported to the Tarry House business office immediately.

3.  Privately owned vehicles used for agency purposes must be kept in good repair.

4.  Reimbursement for mileage will be according to the Tarry house Personnel Guidelines

5.  All traffic laws must be obeyed when operating agency owned vehicles.

6.  The use of privately owned vehicles for agency purposes must always be pre-authorized.

7.  Staff must never leave the vehicle running or with the keys in the ignition when they exit the vehicle, (FOR ANY REASON).  This also includes when a staff vehicle is parked on company property.

8.  When using a personal vehicle for company business, the operator should ensure that they have a cell phone, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.

 

 

 

_____________________________                                                  _________________________

     Executive Director                                                                                         Date