Safety is Saia’s primary goal every day. Safety and compliance training is of vital importance in our industry and we have developed an extensive training curriculum to ensure that our workforce is well-educated on safety and compliance topics.

Saia’s internal Safety Management Plan (SMP) ensures implementation of the safety measures necessary to ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program. The SMP outlines our safety strategies, key performance indicators, and regulatory compliance management (including U.S. Department of Transportation).

Saia has been repeatedly recognized by the American Trucking Associations Safety Management Council for its outstanding safety record. Saia’s overall safety goals not only include the safety of our employees but the safety of the motoring public as well. To aid in this endeavor, Saia offers a myriad of training programs and invests in the latest safety technology. We also reward employees on an annual basis for their safety achievements.

TRUCK SAFETY

As important as it is to train our employees in proper safety procedures, it is equally important that we ensure that our employees are provided with safe equipment with which to do their jobs. We equip our new fleet purchases with an advanced safety package, which includes Detroit Assurance collision mitigation technology, active brake assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, roll stability control systems, and LED headlights.

Saia has also installed Lytx DriveCam video recording technology in our entire fleet of tractors. The system includes an internal and external-facing camera that records when triggered by events such as hard stops, bumps, and hard turns. Saia uses the video to coach drivers on safe driving practices and in certain instances, it also has been used to exonerate drivers.

OUR SAFETY CULTURE

• Safety is one of Saia’s core values

• Annually certify all drivers in Smith System Defensive Driving

• 100% of drivers are hazmat certified

• Employ 300+ driver trainers

• Hold weekly pre-shift safety meetings

As an industry leader, Saia places a premium on finding and developing the right people. We want individuals who share our core values and demonstrate a true passion for what we do. At Saia, success comes down to taking care of the people who matter most – our employees, our customers, and our stakeholders.

TRAINING

• New customer service representatives receive 20 days of training.

• We provide ongoing training for all employees.

• Dockworkers and drivers both receive 40+ hours of onboarding and training.

• Driver Academy – Dockworkers employed for 90 days are eligible to apply for Saia’s free dock-to-driver program.

• We employ nearly 500 driver trainers.

• Our claims prevention training educates employees about the proper movement of hazardous materials on the dock as well as adequate securement of shipments during transit.

• Through Smith System training, all drivers are taught the five keys of safe driving so they learn how to operate a commercial motor vehicle more safely.

• Waste reduction training ensures all employees are aware of the goals to reuse/recycle/salvage to reduce our landfill impact.

• Training in hazardous materials, including security and communication, is conducted to ensure all employees are informed about the potential impact of hazardous material releases.

Saia’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets the expectation that all employees will adhere to high moral and ethical standards. Each employee is required to acknowledge the Code of Conduct, and all employees are encouraged to submit concerns or complaints regarding ethical issues through our confidential alert line.

Internally, we’re proud to offer employees other benefits and programs to recognize their achievements. Saia’s annual scholarship program is open to all full-time employees and their dependents and is designed to help cover college or graduate school expenses for recipients.

Saia’s wellness program encourages and supports employees living a healthy lifestyle, allowing the company to maintain its rich health insurance benefits. Through initiatives that encourage annual primary care visits, participation in fitness events, and tobacco-use cessation, we work to reduce the cost of healthcare while supporting the health and well-being of our employees.

As the oldest less-than-truckload company in operation today, Saia has been providing service to shippers for nearly 100 years. That’s why our business decisions are made in a way to help preserve and protect the world we live in for future generations. From decreasing overall carbon dioxide emissions to saving energy and cutting fuel costs, environmental sustainability drives the future of our planet and our business.

EQUIPMENT

• We invest in our fleet in an effort to reduce our average tractor and trailer age and we optimize our fuel efficiency with continuous investment in tires, speed-limiters, and tractors.

• All of our trailering equipment runs on SmartWay-approved tires and since 2017, air inflation systems have been in place on all trailers and gears to ensure proper pressure for optimal fuel efficiency.

• To mitigate idling and minimize fuel consumption, we have a self-imposed five minute engine-controlled shut-off restriction on all of our tractors.

ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLES  

• We utilize cleaner burning ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel in our fleet. The majority of our fueling is done at on-site fueling stations to eliminate miles and idling.

• In 2022, we started launching compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors at our Fontana, California terminal. We also piloted zero-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks at our Los Angeles, California terminal and partnered with Daimler Trucks North America LLC to test a battery electric Freightliner eM2 box truck in our Portland, Oregon pickup and delivery operations.

• These investments are our latest effort to test the best combination of efficiency and clean fuel technology as we work to embrace our responsibility to the environment and the communities in which we operate.

TERMINALS

• We have implemented solar panel systems at select terminals that return energy to the grid.

• We are replacing older lights with LED fixtures at existing terminals. LED lights are installed throughout all new terminals, along with motion sensors to ensure lighting is only on when in use.

WASTE REDUCTION

• We train all personnel about hazardous material handling and the proper use of equipment and tools used to handle hazardous shipments.

• We retrain and provide coaching as needed, concentrating on specific freight characteristics or aspects of our supply chain.

• Claims prevention training is provided to verify employees are educated about proper movement of hazardous materials on our docks and that there is adequate securement of shipments during transit.

• A number of materials are recycled at our terminals and shops.

• We return products to shippers whenever possible. We also have implemented a salvage program for damaged freight at all terminals so it can be recovered for re-use or recycling.

SMARTWAY PARTNERSHIP

SmartWay is a voluntary program that supports companies’ initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the transportation industry. The SmartWay Partnership is a domestic and international freight and supply chain program that manages data for partners, like Saia, across all domestic shipping modes in the U.S. and Canada. SmartWay implements its goals to lower freight carbon footprints by conducting analysis and research of freight impacts, engaging with freight experts, anticipating and responding to trends, developing strategic resources and communication strategies, and serving as an international model. Saia has previously received SmartWay’s “Excellence Award,” which recognizes companies in the freight sector that invest in innovative technologies and business practices that save fuel, while reducing costs and protecting the environment.

Saia is committed to being a positive member of the communities in which we operate and our employees work and live. As such, we’re excited to provide support for a number of nonprofit organizations working to benefit others, including but not limited to, Toys for Tots, Truckers Against Trafficking, and Wreaths Across America.

• Every Saia driver receives Truckers Against Trafficking training to identify victims of this crime, who are often hidden in plain sight at places our drivers frequent daily including rest and truck stops.

• We’re a Wreaths Across America partner. Over 3,000 Saia personnel and family members have volunteered to lay wreaths in honor of our nation’s veterans.

• As a national corporate sponsor of Toys for Tots, Saia and its employees have donated thousands of toys over the last several years in the nearly 170 communities where the company operates.

• We have initiatives in place to hire veterans and have partnered with Wounded Warriors to support their programs.

When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Saia has been recognized for our work in these arenas.

• Saia has been recognized with Women in Trucking’s Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation Award.

• Forbes named Saia to their America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2020 List.