Atlas Oil was named 2012 Safest-in-Class by the Michigan Trucking Association (MTA). The Company logged 5.4 million miles in the State of Michigan during 2012 with a .37 accident rate to secure the top honors in the tank truck division at the annual MTA Awards banquet in Lansing in late February.
In addition to the fleet award, two Atlas drivers, Walt Schmus and James Turrin, were nominated for Driver of the Year--with Schmus taking home one of the top 12 monthly driver awards for the year.
“Safety is something that can’t be compromised, and it is at the heart of everything we do at Atlas,” says Sam Simon, chief executive officer and owner of Atlas Oil. “I am so proud of all of our dedicated and skilled Atlas drivers for putting safety first and ensuring that our customers get the fuel they need on time and in a safe manner.”
Atlas Oil has a fleet of more than 100 trucks. The fleet delivers gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and other biofuels throughout 25 states. The safety ranking is critical for the company’s customers, according to Simon. When the product being delivered is fuel, customers want to know they have chosen a safety conscious supplier.
The main criterion for the MTA Fleet Safety Award is a company’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) profile. CSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s operating model for evaluating motor carriers with regard to their safety performance. In addition, data from roadside inspections is collected and a percentile rank with other carriers in the peer group is created for each BASIC category under the CSA program.
One of the keys to Atlas’ success is a unique program for its drivers called the SEAL (Safe, Educated Atlas Leaders) program. These drivers are highly skilled and trained to be the best in the industry. Not only do these drivers spend time in rigorous training and refresher courses, they also take the time to mentor new drivers to add to Atlas’ bench strength. Each SEAL completes a 240 hour training program along with a 12 hour re-certification annually. SEALs also provide ride-along training for all new Atlas drivers. On-time deliveries, friendly and courteous service, and an uncompromising focus on safety add further value to Atlas customers.