Dupre Logistics Director of Safety and Training Alfred "Al" LaCombe was named the 2011 American Trucking Associations National Safety Director of the Year. The award was presented in Albuquerque as part of the 2011 Safety & HR National Conference and Exhibition by the ATA Safety Management Council.
LaCombe was recognized as the motor carrier safety executive whose professional qualifications, safety programs and achievements are deemed most outstanding among his or her peers. LaCombe will also be recognized at the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition in Grapevine, Texas, next month along with CEO Reggie Dupre.
"Al has been an innovative leader, hands-on safety professional and phenomenal teacher for over 25 years," says Tom Voelkel, Dupre president & chief operating officer. "He not only expects excellence from our team, but shares his innate ability to solve problems with safety directors nationwide."
LaCombe, a 26-year veteran of the Dupre management team, leads a support staff that includes four field safety representatives who coordinate safety programs for more than 1,000 Dupre employees, including more than 800 professional drivers traveling nearly 40 million miles in 2010.
LaCombe has created and implemented extensive injury and crash prevention programs. He has combined data collection with a hands-on approach to assist drivers in being a part of this culture by:
- Introducing and implementing predictive safety modeling
- Using electronic logs in 100 percent of the Dupre fleet
- Using data modeling to prevent accidents due to driver fatigue, illness or equipment issues.
- Implementing and creating a "Fit for Duty" Work Rehabilitation program that uses a post-hire assessment in line with the job description, testing new employees' ability to perform on-the-job tasks safety and efficiently.