Student Name: LEONARD GWAMULUMBA

Student ID No.: 200003209

DTB 424 – SAFETY & FIRST AID

ASSIGNMENT I
29/03/2017

Question 3: Identify issues of safety in a company or organization of your choice. Suggest

how these issues could be improved or prevented.

Organization/Company: Seabelo Express

Seabelo Express is a company whose main objectives are passenger carriage. The organization’s
history spans over nineteen years. The company was named after the proprietor’s middle name,
Seabelo, and it has become synonymous with success in Botswana. The company is a testimony
of hard work and self - discipline on the part of Entrepreneur, founder and proprietor Mr.
Kenneth Seabelo Tlhaselo. Seabelo Express was incorporated in June 1987, and since its
incorporation it has grown substantially in terms of assets, routes and employees. At the year
ending December 2009, the corporation had approximately 180 permanent employees and a fleet
of 38 buses.

Although the company has enjoyed such huge success it has not been immune to daily
challenges faced by the other competitors within the same business.

Buses and other city transportation services provide vital public transportation to popular
destinations around the country. They allow the community to save money on transportation
costs while also reducing traffic to make roads safer. However, despite serving a crucial
community need, buses regrettably also create a public hazard – to commuters and fellow road
users.

Although buses are wonderful in getting passengers here and there on a timely schedule, there
are several dangerous aspects that seem to affect every bus service operator.

Below, I have identified common features that cause them to become potentially hazardous to
other drivers, pedestrians, and commuters alike

They include amongst others the following:

1. Passenger distractions.
I have travelled and taken my family on a road trip before and i know how annoyingly loud a car
can get. But these buses in question have engines that produce so much loud noise you can’t
afford to ignore. These roaring old engines eventually make passengers to have to scream
relatively loud as they talk to their companions and new friends within the bus. This I find not
only annoying to me, but also has an effect on the bus drivers. The bus drivers constantly have to
deal with the constant distracting buzz of passengers all trip long. As you may imagine, the
 unending distractions can undercut his driving skills and cause a collision or a pedestrian run-
over.

2. Monotonous routes.
Bus drivers are would drive on these country roads for hours on end, usually circling the same
route over and over again. Not only can eight hours of cross country driving be stressful, but it
can also be extremely boring. As a result, bus drivers can become fatigued and lose focus,
increasing their risk of an accident.

3. Stopping rules and schedules.

It is common knowledge that these bus drivers must follow a strict time schedule—which can
sometimes result in speeding to keep on time - Our buses drive up to dangerous speeds of
160KM/H additionally, bus drivers must also pay particular attention to when and where they
stop. Braking distances and rules vary depending on the bus makes, and sometimes a sudden stop
is required. However, if the driver isn’t prepared he could roll the bus, while following traffic can
easily slam into a bus that stops without warning. Furthermore, as bus drivers weave their way
through these long roads, passenger vehicle drivers often make dangerous passing maneuvers
which can easily result in collisions.

4. Old interiors

Some the buses in Seabelo’s Express fleet has been around for quite a long period. As such, their
interiors have aged with time and use. They are torn, loose and so uncomfortable and will make
your travelling a nightmare as one has to keep shifting, pulling them back in place. This
discomfort has serious ergonomic effects on passengers.
SOLUTIONS

Passenger distractions
The bus operators need to purchase, at-least for these long distance routes, smooth running
engines. This will in turn reduce noise pollution from the engines, eventually allowing
passengers to be able to speak at low voices hence reducing distractions of the driver.

Monotonous routes
The operator has to adopt a process whereby drivers are rostered in accordance with the standard
hours’ framework. The operator also regularly reviews schedules, trip times and contracts to
enable drivers to get enough rest before their next trip. This will ensure driver fatigue does not
become an issue.

“Human factors are the chief causes of road accidents” - Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
(MVAF) Annual Report (Mmegi: 25th February)

Stopping rules and schedules

On this matter the law enforcers must ensure places where bus stop is adhered to i.e. buses must
stop at lay – byes only. This will avoid unnecessary running into by on following traffic. It is also
of paramount importance that speed limits are taken hid of. In particular the bus speeds must be
closely monitored by highway patrols all the time. Another solution to over speeding of these
long distance buses could also be speed governing and licensing authorities are to ensure this
aspect is done during manufacturing and maintained thoroughly.
Old Interiors
It is the responsibility of fleet operators to ensure their buses are well maintained and user
friendly. Old chairs/seats must be re-placed. Regular check on the conditions of such is very
crucial as this will avoid injuries to those using the facilities.

Other general solutions would be to ensure check – ups, buses are to be fuelled at the end of each
operating day and the fuel level is checked and recorded on pre-service checklists each morning.
This will avoid distress of passengers as buses are fuelled while they sit inside.

Conclusions

Although it has proved that travelling by bus can cheap, one would note that;

 Public transport does not afford the same level of personal space or protection as a private
care (especially psychologically).

 Public transport is organized around fixed timetables, meaning that it is not always the
practical way to travel due to conflicting arrangements.

 Hardy-bodied people may be able to carry luggage over public transport, but on many
occasions private transport is easier.