Motorola Survey Reveals Significant Savings From Mobile Worker Use of GPS-Enabled Technologies

Reductions in Industry-Wide Fuel and Labor Expenses Could Save Enterprises Billions

North American Information Technology (IT) decision makers within the transportation, manufacturing and trucking/warehousing industries stated that global positioning system (GPS) technologies are an essential tool for their mobile workforce, according to a recent survey commissioned by Motorola Inc. GPS-enabled technologies are helping to increase mobile workforce productivity and enabling enterprises to become more efficient via a reduction in annual labor and fuel operating costs.

According to the research study, the main cited benefit in the nearly 50 percent of enterprises currently using GPS-enabled technologies was a significant reduction in fuel consumption -- which was reflected in a reduction in travel distance by an average of 231.2 miles per week and recording $51,582 in annual fuel savings*. With more than a million trucking carriers** in the United States the potential industry-wide annual fuel savings could reach $53 billion.

The study also revealed enterprises deploying GPS-enabled technologies saved approximately 54 minutes per day -- translating into an annual recouped labor savings of $5,484 per employee or $5.4 million per surveyed enterprise***. In addition to the cost savings, locationing applications were credited with improving the organization of employee routes, giving companies the ability to know precisely where their employees are at any given time and allowing them to examine routing scenarios before implementation.

Surveyed enterprises indicated GPS solutions enable the mobile workforce to spend less time in traffic or finding routes, while increasing the amount of time spent with new or existing customers. In fact, when asked why they would consider investing in GPS or other new technologies those surveyed cited customer service as the number one priority.

The survey identified other key applications -- navigation for improved on-time performance and route optimization. Navigation and route optimization are responding to the difficulties field mobility workers often have locating new stops during the course of their shift and streamlining deliveries.

"Field mobility workers in the transportation and trucking industry are experiencing difficulties such as locating stops, reducing fuel expense and improving on time performance resulting in a drain on financial and manpower resources of their organization," said Jim Hilton, director of field mobility, Motorola Enterprise Mobility business. "With nearly 200,000 mobile computers with integrated GPS shipped in recent years, Motorola continues to address the industry pain points which were identified in our research through field mobility solutions that enable our customers to do their jobs more efficiently and drive measurable business results."

About the Survey

Motorola conducted an independent research study to measure attitudinal and behavioral decision making habits of North American transportation and trucking executives. Over 255 North American IT and telecom decision makers completed the survey via the e-Rewards global online market research panel, one of the largest global panels for market research, with over 4.2 million consumers and businesses participating. The survey was designed to provide a measurement of their overall perceptions of GPS/navigation system applications within the field services industry, with an emphasis on the transportation and trucking/warehousing industries.

* According to http://www.truckline.com/fuelpricecrisis, as of 6/25/08 the average US cost per gallon of unleaded diesel stood at $4.648.

** Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, as of November 2006, the number of for-hire carriers on file with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration totaled 290,629, private carriers totaled 504,166 and other interstate motor carriers totaled 234,892.

*** Source: ERI/Motorola Field Mobility research study respondents defined daily labor savings of 54.2 minutes per salaried employee of $25.29.hour. According to ERI/Motorola Field Mobility research study respondents, on average, the total number of impacted mobile workers per enterprise is 995 employees.

SOURCE Motorola Traci Hoch of Motorola Enterprise Mobility business, +1-631-738-5426, traci.hoch@motorola.com

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Question of the Month

Each month we'll answer one of the top questions our help desk receives.

Question: Why isn't my phone working?

Answer: There can be many reasons, but the first thing you can try is a master reset. For Sprint phones, you'll have to call our help desk at 866-433-6687.

For Nextel phones, the following procedure may resolve your problems.

3 Digit Models (i205, i305, i530, etc.)

Go to Menu, Settings, Advanced Connectivity, Master Reset. Enter 0 six times, and press Ok, then Yes. The phone will power off. Wait approximately 5 seconds and turn the unit back on. Make sure to update browser and enable security if prompted

Blackberry 7520 and 70009

1. Scroll to options / wrench and push wheel in
2. Scroll to security, push wheel in
3. Push wheel again
4. Select Master Radio Reset
5. Hold down shift key (half moon) and press zero four times
6. Select OK
7. The cellular connectivity will now be shut off
8. Scroll to the tower, push wheel in.
9. Your BB will reconnect to the network in approximately 2 minutes

If this doesn't resolve your problem, feel free to call our live help desk at 866-433-6687.

How to Develop and Maintain a Workplace Safety Program

Why Have a Written Workplace Safety and Health Management Program?

A safety and health program will help you comply with workplace safety laws, prevent worker productivity losses due to occupational injuries and illnesses, and reduce worker’s compensation and related litigation costs. Such a program will also help you manage safety-related activities more effectively and help you keep track of all the safety functions you have to perform such as employee training, recordkeeping, and progress toward your safety goals.

Creating a Safety and Health Program

An effective safety and health program depends on the credibility of management's involvement in the program; inclusion of employees in safety and health decisions; rigorous worksite analysis to identify hazards and potential hazards, including those which could result from a change in worksite conditions or practices; stringent prevention and control measures; and thorough training. It addresses hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards.

Set up your program according to the broad categories for a safety program suggested by OSHA. The categories are:

• Management safety policy and assignment of responsibilities
• Worksite hazard analysis
• Injury and illness recordkeeping
• Hazard prevention and control measures
• Training

Assign Responsibilities

Decide who in your company will be given responsibility and authority to manage the safety and health program. It could be the plant manager or a ranking member of the management team, an engineer, human resources or personnel manager, or other staff member.

Conduct a Worksite Hazard Analysis

Gather as much information as possible about current or potentially hazardous conditions at your workplace, and work practices that are already part of your workplace safety and health program. This can be done through a job hazard analysis (JHA). This information can help you identify workplace problems and determine what is involved in solving them. The person responsible for safety and health, and/or a professional occupational safety and health consultant should assess your workplace.

The job(s), tasks, operations or processes to be analyzed can be selected by reviewing:

• Injury and illness data
• Near-miss reports
• New or modified work tasks, activities, or projects
• Employee safety process comments, surveys and reports
• Regulatory requirements

Review and Analyze

After all the facts are gathered, look at how the information about your workplace corresponds with the applicable safety and health regulations and company policies.

Maintain Injury and Illness Records

Establish a process for maintaining OSHA-required illness and injury recordkeeping forms.

Develop Hazard Prevention and Corrective Actions

Use the JHA forms to create specific, written descriptions of hazard prevention and control measures. A good action plan has two parts:

• An overall list of major changes or improvements needed to make the program effective. Assign each item a priority and a target date for completion, and identify the person who will monitor or direct each action.
• Take each major change or improvement listed and working out a specific plan for making that change. Write out what you want to accomplish, the steps required, who would be assigned to do what, and when you plan to be finished. This part of the action plan helps you keep track of program improvement so that details do not slip through the cracks.

Train your Employees

Develop a training program to ensure all employees can perform their tasks safely, and document the training.

Review and Update the Plans

Schedule a review (at least annually or more often if needed) to look at each critical component of the Plans to determine what is working well and what changes, if any, are needed.

Use the Support Materials

In order to complete the program for site-specific needs, get copies of the forms and guidance material recommended in the sample Plans. Follow the procedures outlined in the material for collecting site-specific information and formulate your own safety practices. Use the forms to study your hazards and likely emergencies, the types and varieties of jobs and work tasks at your facility, and determine how to respond to problems.

Seek Consultation

If you need help with the development of your site-specific program, contact the free OSHA consultation service in your state for assistance. Each state’s workplace safety and health program, and in some cases a state college or university system, administers the service. The services are free of charge, confidential, and conducted only at the request of the business employers. No penalties are assessed for violations discovered during a consultation. The state consultation programs are staffed with experienced safety consultants and industrial hygienists that conduct consultative surveys at industrial sites, construction projects, medical facilities, and other on-site locations.

Review and Incorporate State Regulatory Requirements

Sample Plans are based on federal requirements and/or best practices. Some states have laws and regulations that are stricter than federal requirements and may affect how you customize them. Make sure you check state requirements. After reviewing the specific information for your state(s), you can edit your plans accordingly.

29 CFR 1910 OSHA General Industry Written Plan/Program Requirements

Asbestos 1910.1001
Applicability. Compliance program. (i) Where the TWA and/or excursion limit is exceeded, the employer shall establish and implement a written program to reduce employee exposure to or below the TWA and to or below the excursion limit by means of engineering and work practice controls as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this section, and by the use of respiratory protection where required or permitted under this section.

Bloodborne pathogens, exposure control plan 1910.1030
Applicability. Employers with employees who have exposure or potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials.

Confined Space, written space program 1910.146
Applicability. Employers who have permit-required confined spaces.

Electrical wiring design and protection (without GFCI) 1910.304(b)(3)
Applicability. Where the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection required by paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere, the employer shall establish and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program covering cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug that are available for use or used by employees on those receptacles.

Electrical, lockout/tagging procedures 1910.333(b)(2) Lockout/Tagout, energy control procedures 1910.147(c)
Applicability. The lockout/tagout rule applies to the control of hazardous energy during servicing and/or maintenance of machines and equipment, including any source of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy. This includes piping systems and high-intensity electromagnetic fields. Generally, the rules apply to activities such as lubrication, cleaning or unjamming, servicing of machines or equipment, and making adjustments or tool changes where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energizing or start-up of the equipment or release of hazardous energy. However, minor tool changes and adjustments and other minor servicing activities which take place during normal production operations are not covered if they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of equipment for production and if work is performed using alternative protective measures which provide effective employee protection.

Emergency Action Plan, general facility (10 or more employees) 1910.38 Fire Prevention Plan, general facility (10 or more employees) 1910.39
Applicability. OSHA requires most employers to provide emergency exit routes, an emergency action plan (EAP), a fire prevention plan (FPP), and implement procedures to protect employees from fires. Although fire and evacuation drills are not specifically required by regulation, employers should also have written procedures for executing fire evacuation drills. Employees who supervise evacuations must be trained to perform the task.

Fire brigades, written procedures 1910.156
Applicability. The employer (who establishes a fire brigade) shall prepare and maintain a statement or written policy which establishes the existence of a fire brigade; the basic organizational structure; the type, amount, and frequency of training to be provided to fire brigade members; the expected number of members in the fire brigade; and the functions that the fire brigade is to perform at the workplace.

Grain handling facilities, housekeeping 1910.272
Applicability. The employer shall develop and implement a written housekeeping program that establishes the frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces.

Hazardous substances: vinyl chloride 1910.1017, inorganic arsenic 1910.1018, lead 1910.1025, chromium(VI) 1910.1026, cadmium 1910.1027, benzene 1910.1028, 1,3 butadiene 1910.1051, coke oven emissions 1910.1029, cotton dust 1910.1043, ethylene oxide 1910.1047, acrylonitrile 1910.1045, formaldehyde 1910.1048, methylenedianiline 1910.1050, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 1910.1044, 1, 3-butadiene 1910.1051, and methylene chloride 1910.1052.
Applicability. The employer must establish and implement a written program to reduce exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit by means of engineering and work practice controls.

Hazard communication program 1910.1200(e)
Applicability. Employers who produce, import, or use hazardous chemicals.

HAZWOPER safety and health program 1910.120(b) site-specific safety and health plan, PPE program, emergency response plan
Applicability. A written safety and health program must be developed for operations and cleanup at a hazardous waste site. Employers who engage in emergency response to a release of hazardous substances at any type of facility must have a written emergency response plan.

Mechanical power presses, written procedures 1910.217
Applicability. Employers who have power presses.

Noise/Hearing Conservation (program, but doesn't specify "written") 1910.95
Applicability. Whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed the action level, the employer must administer a hearing conservation program. The action level slightly exceeds the noise level of a ringing telephone (80 dB); the noise level of a power lawn mower (90 dB) exceeds the action level.

Portable fire extinguishers, fire safety policy 1910.157
Applicability. Employers who provide fire extinguishers for employee use.

Powered platforms, emergency action plan 1910.66
Applicability. Powered platform installations permanently dedicated to interior or exterior building maintenance of a specific structure or group of structures. This section does not apply to suspended scaffolds (swinging scaffolds) used to service buildings on a temporary basis and covered under subpart D of this part, nor to suspended scaffolds used for construction work and covered under subpart L of 29 CFR part 1926. Building maintenance includes, but is not limited to, such tasks as window cleaning, caulking, metal polishing and reglazing.

Process Safety Management, employee participation 1910.119
Applicability. Facilities (buildings, containers or equipment which contain a process) that use processes that involve chemicals with threshold values at or above those specified in Appendix A of the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard (PSM) (29 CFR 1910.119, Appendix A) or flammable liquids or gas of 10,000 pounds or more must comply with the requirements of the PSM rule.

Respiratory protection program 1910.134
Applicability. Employers who have employees who use respirators.

29 CFR 1926 OSHA Construction Written Plan/Program Requirements

HAZWOPER 1926.65(b)(1)(i)
Applicability. Requires several written safety and health programs for employees involved in hazardous waste operations, including PPE and site emergency response plan for any type of facility with potential to release a hazardous substance.

Fall Protection Plan 1926.502(k)
Applicability. Employers with employees engaged in leading edge work, precast concrete erection work, or residential construction work (See §1926.501(b)(2), (b)(12), and (b)(13)) who can demonstrate that it is infeasible or it creates a greater hazard to use conventional fall protection equipment may implement a written fall protection plan. The fall protection plan shall be prepared by a qualified person and developed specifically for the site where the leading edge work, precast concrete work, or residential construction work is being performed and the plan must be maintained up to date.

Employee Emergency Action Plan 1926.35
Applicability. A written plan is required at all work sites with 11 or more employees and must cover those designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies.

Hazard Communication 1926.59
Applicability. Construction employers must meet the requirements of 1910.1200 for a written hazard communication program.

Process Safety Management of highly hazardous chemicals—employee participation 1926.64(c)
Applicability. Employers shall develop a written plan of action regarding the implementation of the employee participation required by this paragraph. Employers shall consult with employees and their representatives on the conduct and development of process hazards analyses and on the development of the other elements of process safety management in this standard.

Excavations, Requirements for protective systems 1926.652
Applicability. Designs of support systems shield systems, and other protective systems shall be selected and constructed by the employer or his designee using one of 4 options. IF option 4 is chosen: designs shall be in written form indicating the sizes, types, and configurations of the materials to be used in the protective system, and the identity of the registered professional engineer approving the design.

Lead 1926.62(e)(2)
Applicability. Prior to commencement of the job each employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program. Electrical, Wiring design and protection 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(A) Applicability. The employer shall establish and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program on construction sites covering all cord sets, receptacles which are not a part of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug which are available for use or used by employees. A written description of the program, including the specific procedures adopted by the employer, shall be available at the jobsite for inspection and copying by the Assistant Secretary and any affected employee.

Cadmium 1926.1127(f)(5)(i) and (h)
Applicability. Where employee exposure to cadmium exceeds the PEL and the employer is required under paragraph (f)(1) of this section to implement controls to comply with the PEL, prior to the commencement of the job the employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL.

The employer shall develop and implement a written plan for dealing with emergency situations involving substantial releases of airborne cadmium.

Methylenedianiline 1926.60
Applicability. Prior to commencement of the job each employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program.

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