Auto Auctions Can Access NAAA's Safety Training Series Online
NAAA's free safety certification program for auction staff is
now available at naaa.com
FREDERICK, MD — The National Auto Auction Association is pleased to announce its Auction Safety Certification and Lane Safety Training courses are now up online at the organization's website, naaa.com. The free instructional series became available to member auctions on April 25.
The industry recognized program is based on proven best practices designed to promote greater safety awareness and accident prevention through short educational video courses. One significant aspect is its two-tiered system aimed at full-time and part-time auction employees.
"Busy auto auctions have the potential to be hazardous — especially to those unaccustomed to the work environment of the lanes," NAAA Chief Executive Officer Frank Hackett noted. "So our program not only addresses improving safe practices with staff members, but also offers training to familiarize the industry's many part-time employees, and contractors with the safety conditions and issues encountered at an auction."
In the NAAA Auction Safety Certification course, staff members can view online a series of 12 short videos and take the quiz at the end of each one. A certificate is awarded documenting the completion of the training. The entire course can be done in about an hour, but participants will have up to one month from their start time to finish the program.
Temporary Agency Drivers take the 20-minute NAAA Lane Safety Training course, after which a certificate is emailed directly to them and the auction that requested the instruction.
Both instructional courses can be accessed by clicking the Safe T. Sam icon under the Education and Training section on NAAA's homepage (www.naaa.com).
"NAAA created this program because the safety of our members, their employees, customers, and their onsite contractors, are the most valuable and important asset at each auction," Hackett said. "When you hire an employee, training and education becomes paramount to understanding the safest, most productive way to do the job."
He added that developing a proactive safety program is one of the best ways to control and reduce costs from workplace incidents involving employee injuries and property damage.
NAAA's Safety Committee has made developing and supporting ongoing education and training a top priority. Its efforts have already resulted in the launching of several initiatives last year, including updating the Cycle of Safety DVD, conducting the popular Safe T. Sam outreach campaign and implementing the use of fluorescent safety vests by both full- and part-time employees to improve visibility on the lot.
Earlier this month NAAA held a Safety Summit in Dallas, Texas, with the goal of establishing best practices for using the Safe T. Sam program as it rolls out across the remarketing community.
"I believe this initiative is a real opportunity to reduce accidents and save lives throughout our industry," said NAAA President Mike Browning. "I appreciate the efforts of our Safety Committee, chaired by our President-elect Jerry Hinton, in organizing a very informative and productive meeting on this important issue."
Browning also cited Safety Committee members Mike Rohdy, Area President for Arthur J. Gallagher Auto Auction Services, Rich Levene, Vice President of Enterprise Optimization at KAR Auction Services, James Walker, KAR's Environmental, Health and Safety Director, and Kenny Jones, Manheim's Safety Director, as instrumental in the summit's success.
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