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12 & 15 Passenger Van Policy
- Service Animals in Labs
- 12 & 15 Passenger Van Policy
- 3D Printer Policy
- Asbestos Floor Tile Policy
- Asbestos Policy
- Basic Electrical Safety Policy
- Bicycles and Other Transportation Vehicles in University Buildings
- Biohazards Medical Monitoring Policy
- Biological Waste Disposal Policy
- Building Code Enforcement Policy
- Chain Saw Safety Policy
- Compressed Gas Cylinders Condensed Safety Rules
- Compressed Gas Cylinders Use and Storage
- Confined Space Entry Policy
- Contractor Health and Safety Requirement Policy
- Dive Boat Safety Policy – Responsibilities
- Drones & Unmanned Aircraft System Policy
- Electronics Reuse/Recycle
- Fall Protection Policy
- Feral Cats & Other Wild Animals Living on Campus Policy
- Golf Cart Policy
- Hazard Communication Policy
- Hazardous Energy Control (Lock out/Tag out) Policy
- Hearing Conservation Policy
- Heat Stress Policy
- Hot Work Safety Policy
- Indoor Environmental Quality Policy
- Lab Closeout Policy
- Lead Paint Policy
- Mercury Spills
- Minors in Research Laboratories, Clinics, or Animal Facilities
- Motorcycle, Scooter (Includes E-Scooters)/Moped, Segway and Bicycle Use by Employees: Personal Protective Equipment Policy
- Natural Gas Leaks Policy
- Occupational Safety Forms
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Portable Power Tool Safety
- Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
- Q Fever/Coxiella burnetii in Sheep, Goats and Cattle Control Policy
- Recreational Use of the Lake Alice Watershed Policy
- Respiratory Protection Policy
- Shop Safety & Machine Guarding Policy
- Student Shop Safety Policy
- Temporary Structures on Campus (Including Tents)
- Tractor & Roll Over Protection Structures (ROPS) Safety Policy
- Trenching and Excavation Policy
- Vaccination Policy for Research Personnel
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this policy is to reduce the risk of accident and possible injury or death associated with the operation of 12 & 15-passenger vans. Risk reduction is achieved through assurance that vans will only be operated by safe and knowledgeable drivers, that vans are in proper and safe working order and that all passengers use passenger restraint systems when the vehicle is in operation.
POLICY
All operators of UF owned, leased, or non-owned 12 & 15-passenger vans shall possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record. Departments will select and approve all operators and arrange for them to attend an approved van operators training session prior to operating a 12 & 15-passenger van (Exception: operators that possess a valid Commercial Driver License, CDL, do not need to participate in the training but do need a valid DL/CDL). Vehicles will be routinely inspected through annual safety checks and operational safety checks (Checklist). Vehicles will be removed from service if conditions are found that will impair the safe operation of the vehicle or the safety of its occupants.
AUTHORITY
By authority delegated from the University President, the Vice-President for Business Affairs is responsible for the safety of all University facilities. Under this authority, policies are developed to provide a safe teaching, research, service, housing and recreational environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
BACKGROUND
Studies conducted by the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHSTA) of the US Department of Transportation reveal that loaded 15-passenger vans have significantly higher risk of rollover than passenger cars and light trucks. Loading the vans raises the center of gravity and shifts it towards the rear greatly affecting the handling characteristics. When heavily loaded, the steering characteristics and responsiveness are very different form light passenger vehicles. This can cause serious consequences in an emergency situation when an untrained driver expects the vehicle to respond like a car.
Driving large vans requires skill and experience from the operator, with little or no margin of error. The vehicles must also be in proper working order to reduce the likelihood of involvement in an accident. The vehicles must receive a formal operational inspection by the operator to demonstrate due diligence. Each vehicle must undergo an annual inspection by a mechanic to ensure hidden defects are identified that could contribute to the risk of vehicle accident.
NHSTA has shown that the chance of survival in a rollover type accident is greatly enhanced by the proper use of seatbelts.
PROGRAM
Operational Requirements
All vehicle occupants must use seat belts. On long trips the number of approved drivers should match the expected trip duration to prevent driver fatigue and inattention. No single driver should drive more than 8 hours in a single day.
Vehicle Usage and Insurance Information
Florida Administrative Code Chapter 60B-1.004 states: “Motor vehicles owned, leased or operated by the State University System shall be available for official institutional business only.”
Additionally:
1.c Persons other than state employees shall not be permitted to operate a state-owned, leased, or rented vehicle unless authorized by the administrative head of an agency or person designated by him and then only on official state business.
The University’s automobile liability coverage is provided by the State Risk Management Trust Fund (Fund), which is administered by the State of Florida, Department of Insurance, Division of Risk Management. The Fund’s coverage extends only to the insured, which includes the named agency and its “officers, employees, agents, or volunteers acting within the course and scope of employment”.