Safety and Compliance News & Information
ATA offers the latest information on safety, DOT and OSHA training and compliance issues. Generally, we attempt to list information alphabetically by topic or issue, but when critical issues are pending, you will find the most current items at the top.
The Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) is a major Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve the effectiveness of the agency's compliance and enforcement programs. Its ultimate goal is to achieve a greater reduction in large truck and bus crashes, injuries, and fatalities in the context of increasingly limited state and federal resources. The program will rely heavily on new information technology.
For the slide presentation by Colorado Motor Carriers Association Director of Safety, Patti Olsgard <click here>
View the FMCSA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Fact Sheet.
Only Four AZ Rest Areas Now Open
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation (ADOT) closed 13 of the state's 19 rest areas on Oct. 19 as part of massive, ongoing budget cuts brought on by the state's current $1.5 billion budget deficit. Although ADOT termed the closures "temporary", the state faces a projected deficit in fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) of an additional $3 billion.
Two weeks later, a fatality truck accident closed Burnt Well Rest Area on I-10 between Buckeye and Tonopah, with no idea when or if it will reopen. This means there are only two rest areas open on I-10 between New Mexico and California – one on I-10 and one on I-40.
The four rest stops still open are:
- Sentinel: I-8 between Gila Bend and Dateland
- Texas Canyon: I-10 between Benson and Willcox
- Sunset Point: I-17 between Phoenix and Camp Verde
- Painted Cliffs: I-40 near the border with New Mexico
ATA is continuing its meetings with both ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to identify safe, alternative parking areas where truck drivers may get their mandated rest. In the case of truckers pulling off the road or onto off-ramps to rest, AzDPS has said it will approach the issue with flexibility and will ask drivers to move only if they are creating a safety hazard. Watch this space for updates.
Newly Effective Legislation
Senate Bill 1168: As of Sept. 30, property owners, tenants, public or private employers and other Arizona business entities (collectively “property owners”) may not establish, maintain or enforce a policy prohibiting individuals from lawfully storing or lawfully transporting a firearm in their vehicles (including motorcycles) while the vehicle is parked in the property owner’s parking facilities, with certain exemptions.
SB 1168 provides certain exemptions. To learn more about this new law, you may wish to access a very helpful two-page summary produced by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and made available to ATA and other businesses organizations.
Pilot Escort Traffic Control & Certification Training
Senate Bill 1320: Pilot escort vehicle operators must now undergo four hours of traffic control training in addition to the regularly mandated certification training. Currently certified pilot escort vehicle operators have until December 31, 2009 to complete the training under an agreement between ATA and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to withhold enforcement until that date. Contact John Backowski for more information at jbackowski@aztrucking.com or call him at 602.850.6002.
ATA Driver of the Quarter Award Applications
Give your drivers the recognition they deserve. Nominate your qualified drivers in the Arizona Trucking Association's Driver of the Quarter Award Program by completing and submitting Driver of the Quarter applications.
At the end of the year, the Driver of the Year will be selected from the four recipients of this year's Driver of the Quarter(s). More information regarding the program is listed below:
Basis for Nomination:
It is the intent of the Arizona Trucking Association and the Safety and Maintenance Council to select a Driver who will, by past record, exemplify the type of career driver whose high standards of conduct and ability are both an asset to themselves and a credit to the Transportation Industry in the State of Arizona.
The Company will nominate driver(s) who meet the minimum nomination criteria, with no limit to the number of drivers who can be nominated from the same company.
Nomination Criteria:
- No DOT-reportable accidents or moving violations within the past three years
- Driver must be engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce moving goods, products and/or services for the past three years
- Written statement from company citing outstanding performance – mentoring, scene of accident support, examples of professional driving habits
- Attach motor vehicle record (MVR) for the past 3 years (run within past 30 days)
- Download the 3rd quarter application PDF here
- Download the 4th quarter application PDF here
- 3rd & 4th Quarter 2010 Driver of the Quarter Applications will be accepted Jan. 4-31, 2010.
Chain Law Update
November 7, 2008
As the winter season is well upon us, our commercial vehicle drivers need to be aware of current chain laws in the various states they operate in. Find a state-by-state list of these regulations.
Colorado has a unique set of circumstances. To download a copy of Colorado's "Chain Law Tips", click here.
ADOT Advisory for Sunset Point Rest Area Brake Check
Citations are being issued to CMV drivers failing to stop at the rest area to perform a brake check. During the hours of 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM, all southbound I-17 commercial motor vehicles are required to stop at the Sunset Point Rest area and perform a brake check. For more information, click here.
To read or download the ADOT updated list of restricted bridges in Arizona, click here.
Driver/Medical Qualifications
May 23, 2008
FMCSA issues a policy statement on the drug Chantix. Click here to read or download a copy of the FDA Public Health Advisory on Chantix (varenicline).
Drug and Alcohol Testing
July 27, 2008
NewU.S. DOT drug testing collection requirements are in effect. Read the Federal Register notice. Or click here to read a brief synopsis.
General DOT/OSHA Compliance
March 18, 2009
Guidance on Hispanic drivers.
If you employ Hispanic drivers, and one of them is involved in an accident that results in a lawsuit, be ready for plaintiff lawyers to:
- Allege that “language deficiency” contributed to the accident
- Assert that your action in hiring the Hispanic driver constitutes negligent hiring, retention, supervision and training.
- Click here to learn more about how to protect your company.
Passport Requirements
November 24, 2008
Download the newly revised chart here.
Hazardous Materials
August 26, 2009
Lithium Battery Shipments
For further information and to read the entire Federal Register notice, click here.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection Rescinds Residual Chemicals Shipment Rule
On August 10, 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency rescinded an important exemption applicable to the cross-border movement of cargo tanks (and other containers) containing residual chemicals.
Click here to read the ruling.
And to read the American Trucking Association's response to this action, click here.
Changes to the Hazardous Materials Table
October 1, 2008
Click here to view the Federal Register Notice.
Emergency Response Needs Change With Evolving Ethanol & Gasoline Fuel Mixtures
September 29, 2008
For further details and to view an easy to read chart, click here.
Guidance from TSA on Certain Hazardous Materials Shipments
June 28, 2008
The following documents provide guidance on voluntarily conducting background checks for motor vehicle hazmat employees other than motor vehicle drivers holding a valid commercial driver's license with a hazmat endorsement. TSA states this guidance is not intended to supersede or conflict with existing Federal or State regulations.
- TSA Announcement Memo
- TSA Appendix A- HSSM Notice
- TSA Appendix A-1 HSSM Notice
- TSA Appendix B- HSSM Chart
Hours of Service
November 19, 2008
To view the 77-page ruling in its entirety, click here.
Maricopa County Dust Control Regulations
These Maricopa County regulations are found in Regulation III – Control of Air Contaminants Rule 310, Fugitive Dust from Dust-Generation Operations, specifically 310.18-310.19, Sections 305-305.5. Click here to read or download a copy of the regulations.