Drivers Complete Defensive Driving Courses at Mining Plant

Drivers of the Gremyachinsky Mining and Processing Plant have completed a defensive driving course.

The training was organized by the production safety directorate in collaboration with the automotive transport and mechanization unit of EuroChem-VolgaKaliy.

To provide comprehensive knowledge, the training was conducted in two stages. First, drivers underwent simulator training in the Training Center classroom, where they practiced correct and quick steering. During the second stage, trainees moved to the autodrome, where on a specially prepared site, they practiced the skills learned in the simulator training behind the wheel of passenger cars.

The instructor—an experienced auto and motorsports master, test pilot for Formula 1600 circuit racing, and multiple prize-winner of Russian karting championships—taught VolgaKaliy drivers how to act correctly and safely in potential extreme situations while driving.

During the classes, participants learned key methods for road observation, rules for choosing safe speeds, and ways to maintain safe distances and intervals. Separately, the instructor and students analyzed common errors that lead to severe consequences, and reviewed driver behavior rules in cases of fatigue or changing road conditions. On the site, trainees practiced response skills to detected hazards, which help reduce risk levels.

“The main task facing not only our department but the entire enterprise is to preserve the health and lives of our workers and reduce injury rates to zero,” explained Pavel Mogilev, acting director of production safety at EuroChem-VolgaKaliy. “This paramount goal is what the defensive driving training is dedicated to. We want employees to apply these skills not only on corporate vehicles assigned to drivers but also in their personal cars.”

Several years ago, the plant conducted similar training for operators of self-propelled machines in the Gremyachinsky mine. This year, drivers of vehicles in the surface complex improved their professional skills.

Over ten days of training, 91 EuroChem-VolgaKaliy employees authorized to drive corporate transport completed the course.