Giant Tiger and John Deere Canada were recognized as the winners of the 2024 Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s (PMTC) Fleet Safety Awards during PMTC’s annual meeting in Niagara Falls, Ont.  

While Giant Tiger won in the large fleet class, John Deere won in the mid-sized fleet category with its 67 power units and 230 trailers.

The independent panel made a decision after judging the overall safety regime of the companies, reflecting on their over-the-road record. The competition is open for all Canadian private fleets, regardless of PMTC membership.

“The process of applying for one of these awards provides a checklist for fleet managers to see what the best-in-class fleets are doing to maintain their safety programs. Even if you do not believe you will win an award, there is an immense benefit to going through the process of entering,” said PMTC president Mike Millian in a news release.

John Deere’s 11th award

As an 11-time winner of the private fleet safety award, John Deere has demonstrated a strong commitment to safety in its operations, PMTC said. The fleet’s written safety policy is updated annually and all potential new hires are subjected to reference checks. Prior experience and education play a role in the decision-making process, too.

New hires receive two days of in-house training on company procedures, product handling, and safety practices. Drivers are trained and certified on TDG, HOS, and CSA regulations and participate in quarterly safety meetings.

Among other safety initiatives, the company also offers a broad-based safety related awards program for the drivers, which includes tracking performance on HOS, fuel consumption, over speed, sudden stops and on time performance, which can result in performance bonuses.

Giant Tiger

Giant Tiger, a fleet that has operated in Canada for the past 37 years, has 178 tractors and 633 trailers, as well as 256 employees, of which 205 are drivers.

The fleet’s safety policy is updated each year and incident management and communication are key components of Giant Tiger’s policy. A joint health and safety committee reviews all incidents, with remedial training provided as needed. Regular safety bulletins and mobile applications keep drivers informed. The company also recognizes safe driving through its million mile club and inspection bonuses.

Meanwhile, the new drivers must be at least 25, provide clean driver and commercial vehicle abstracts, and complete criminal record checks and a three-hour road test. The onboarding program includes 50 hours of training on company policies, health and safety, defensive driving, and other essential topics. The fleet uses telematics to monitor driving behavior and Carriers Edge modules for annual refresher training.