NAAA member auctions now have access to a new safety program.

The National Auto Auction Association along with KAR Auction Services, Inc. —  parent company to ADESA — announced Tuesday that KAR has licensed its Safe T. Sam safety program for use by NAAA-member auctions.

Now, through NAAA, all member auctions will have access to a variety of components of the safety program, that has “demonstrated success for KAR and its group of companies,” according to the news release.

KAR first developed its safety program in 2012 and rolled it out company-wide in 2013.

NAAA plans to introduce the program in stages, starting with familiarizing auction personnel with the Safe T. Sam safety mascot and mentor, the association shared.

Next up will be the adoption of the safety vest policy, and high-visibility safety vests, rated for varying levels of speed, will be offered for purchase through NAAA’s website.

NAAA and KAR management explained the yellow or orange vests are uniform in type and color and expected to be used whenever employees and temporary workers are in traffic areas or are operating vehicles.

And starting next week, NAAA will implement a series of Safe T. Sam training videos, which will include standardized messages for all employees and specialized messages based on an employee’s role. The seven- to 12-minute videos are followed by a short quiz for adoption.

“Today safety is not an option; it’s a must,” said Ellie Johnson, NAAA’s chairman and immediate-past president.

For Johnson, safety was a top focus of her term as president, and current NAAA president Mike Browning is following that same path. For more insight into Browning’s plan as president see Auto Remarketing’s recent profile on the newly inducted NAAA leader.

“We at NAAA have always believed in promoting and improving safer conditions in the auto auction industry,” said Johnson. “We want our auctions to be a safe place to work and do business by encouraging and supporting more ongoing education and training efforts like KAR’s Safe T. Sam safety program.”

Johnson was responsible for forming the NAAA Safety Committee, which works to research safety within the industry and developing a strategy to cut down on accidents on the auction lot and in the lanes.

The committee includes reps from Manheim, ADESA and independent auctions, as well, and management shared the committee unanimously agreed on the adoption of KAR’s program after researching options.