I am proud to be a part of an organization that has been honored repeatedly as a leading motor carrier in safety performance. I take pride in overseeing a group of employees dedicated to making that happen, but in reality, every employee of FedEx Ground works for the safety department. That’s because everyone shares responsibility for safety. To ensure everyone makes it home safely every day, safety must not only be a priority but embedded in our overall culture - just like it is at FedEx Ground.

June is recognized by the National Safety Council as National Safety Month. While it’s important this month to observe, educate and influence behaviors around preventable injuries and deaths, the FedEx Ground commitment to safety is a year-round focus and an integral part of our mission, our values and our promise to our customers.

Safety is also a priority across our network of independent contractors and independent service providers. With more than 30,000 vehicles on the road every single day, FedEx Ground’s business partners have an amazing commitment to safe driving.

Check it out:

Sunil Patel is a long-time business owner in Philadelphia, Pa., whose business provides transportation services for FedEx Ground. PA Ground Inc. is more than two and a half years accident-free. Two and a half years. That’s more than 900 days without an accident or incident. The company, which employs 17 drivers, has driven more than 1.2 million miles during this time. Amazing.

Doug Hawkins owns a linehaul business in Lenexa, Kan. Collectively, the drivers at Blue Skyz Enterprises have logged nearly six million accident-free miles. Doug personally drove more than two million miles without an accident. As if that isn’t impressive enough, Doug extended his passion for safety and developed his own safety handbook to educate and share his tips and advice for success. Doug enthusiastically shares his program with other FedEx Ground independent contractors, as well as outside companies, recognizing the critical need for safe driving across the network and country.

A safe-driving record is one step towards success. These are just two incredible companies that provide services for FedEx Ground, and our safety record is among the industry’s best because of small businesses like these. June is the month to remind all of us to keep safety at the forefront. Let’s celebrate our achievements but also remember that one accident is one too many.

Until next time – Think safely, Act safely, Be safe!