Morning Start-Up Procedure — Drivers & Crew Leads
Morning Start-Up Procedure — Drivers & Crew Leads
Purpose
This article outlines the required daily start-up procedures for ValueBrands drivers and crew leads before leaving the yard and beginning assigned work.
The purpose is to ensure:
- Employees are prepared for the day
- Correct equipment is loaded
- Vehicles and trailers are safe
- Required documentation is completed
- Customer service routes are completed efficiently
- Communication between field teams and office staff remains consistent
Overview
Each workday begins with proper preparation and coordination between the office, drivers, crew leads, and field teams.
Drivers and crew leads are responsible for reviewing their assigned schedule, preparing equipment, completing safety requirements, and ensuring the crew is ready before leaving the yard.
Step 1 — Review Daily Schedule
Drivers and crew leads must open the ServiceM8 app before beginning the day.
Review:
☐ Assigned jobs
☐ Route order
☐ Customer information
☐ Job notes
☐ Special instructions
☐ Required equipment/materials
☐ Estimated completion requirements
Schedules are assigned by:
- Office administration
- Operations managers
- Supervisors
Employees must follow the assigned route unless changes are approved by management.
Step 2 — Review Jobs & Equipment Requirements
Before loading equipment, the driver/crew lead must review the day’s scheduled work.
Determine:
- Type of jobs being completed
- Required machines
- Required tools
- Required materials
- Special customer requirements
Examples:
Lawn Maintenance Route
- Zero-turn mower
- Push mower
- Trimmers
- Blowers
- Fuel
- Hand tools
Landscape Installation
- Specialty tools
- Material handling equipment
- Additional crew equipment
The correct equipment must be loaded before leaving the yard.
Step 3 — Complete Daily Vehicle, Trailer & Equipment Inspection
Before operation, the driver must complete all required inspections.
Required inspections include:
Vehicle Inspection
☐ Tires checked
☐ Lights checked
☐ Fluids checked
☐ Brakes checked
☐ Safety equipment present
☐ Vehicle condition reviewed
Trailer Inspection
☐ Hitch secure
☐ Safety chains connected
☐ Breakaway cable connected
☐ Trailer lights working
☐ Tires inspected
☐ Load securement checked
Equipment Inspection
☐ Equipment condition checked
☐ Fuel/oil checked
☐ Safety guards installed
☐ Equipment operating properly
☐ Damage reported
Step 4 — Complete Required Documentation
Drivers must complete all required daily paperwork before departure.
Documentation may include:
☐ Pre-trip inspection paperwork
☐ Daily vehicle log
☐ Equipment inspection forms
☐ Route documentation
☐ Other required company forms
All paperwork must be completed accurately and submitted according to company procedures.
Step 5 — Crew Loading Responsibilities
The driver or crew lead is responsible for assigning crew members to load equipment.
The crew lead must ensure:
- Equipment is loaded safely
- Equipment matches scheduled work
- Tools are accounted for
- Materials are secured
- Trailer weight is managed properly
- Nothing required for the day is left behind
The driver/crew lead must complete a final walk-around before departure.
Step 6 — Begin Assigned Route
Once preparation is complete:
The driver and crew proceed to the assigned route.
Employees must:
- Follow scheduled stops
- Operate safely
- Maintain professional customer interactions
- Protect customer property
- Update job notes when required
Any route changes must be communicated with the supervisor.
Step 7 — Breaks & Weather Considerations
Employees must take appropriate breaks during the workday.
Break requirements may increase due to:
- Extreme heat
- Extreme cold
- Poor air quality
- Severe weather conditions
Crew leads must monitor team conditions and ensure employees:
- Stay hydrated
- Take required cooldown breaks
- Warm up when necessary
- Report weather-related concerns
Safety takes priority over schedule completion.
Step 8 — Communication During the Day
Crew leads must maintain communication with their supervisor throughout the day.
Communication is required for:
- Delays
- Customer concerns
- Equipment problems
- Additional work requests
- Safety issues
- Schedule changes
Unexpected issues must not be left unresolved without notifying management.
Step 9 — Unexpected Quotes & Leads
During daily operations, crews may identify additional opportunities.
Examples:
- Customer requests additional work
- Property needs additional maintenance
- Customer asks for a quote
- New service opportunity identified
Process:
- Discuss request with customer.
- Collect required information.
- Notify office/supervisor.
- Submit details through ServiceM8.
- Office will follow up and manage quoting.
Employees should not commit to pricing unless authorized.
Step 10 — End-of-Day Vehicle Return Procedure
At the end of the route, crews must prepare vehicles and equipment for the next workday.
Required steps:
☐ Fuel vehicle
☐ Remove garbage/debris
☐ Clean equipment if required
☐ Check vehicle condition
☐ Report damage/issues
Vehicle Cleaning Requirements
If the vehicle is significantly dirty:
- Take vehicle to designated company wash location
- Clean exterior as required
- Remove excessive grass, mud, debris, or materials
Vehicles should represent ValueBrands professionally.
Step 11 — Return Equipment to Yard
Upon returning:
Crew must:
☐ Return equipment to assigned storage area
☐ Offload tools and equipment
☐ Secure equipment properly
☐ Hang up vehicle/trailer keys in designated location
☐ Report missing/damaged equipment
Step 12 — Maintenance Reporting
Any issues identified must be reported to the maintenance team.
Examples:
- Equipment failure
- Damaged tools
- Vehicle concerns
- Trailer issues
- Missing parts
Issues should be documented immediately to prevent future downtime.
End-of-Day Checklist
Driver / Crew Lead
☐ Daily schedule completed
☐ Jobs updated in ServiceM8
☐ Paperwork submitted
☐ Vehicle fueled
☐ Vehicle cleaned if required
☐ Equipment unloaded
☐ Maintenance issues reported
☐ Keys returned
☐ Office notified of additional leads/quotes
Performance Expectations
Drivers and crew leads are responsible for ensuring:
- Safe daily operations
- Proper equipment preparation
- Professional customer service
- Accurate documentation
- Strong communication
- Protection of company assets
A successful day starts with proper preparation and ends with proper shutdown procedures.