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.
ATA 2011 DRIVER OF THE FOURTH QUARTER 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 a Driver of the Quarter application.
At the end of the year, the Driver of the Year will be selected from the four recipients of thE 2011 Driver of the Quarter(s). More information about the program is below:
- Download the Fourth Quarter PDF Application << click here >> .
- 2011 Driver of the Fourth Quarter Applications will be accepted from through February 15, 2012.
CSA SAFETY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (SMS) WEBSITE
Check your safety assessment now at: http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms.
To log-in to the SMS website and review your fleet safety data, you will need an FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT Number Personal Identification Number (PIN) (NOT a Docket Number PIN). If you do not know or have forgotten your PIN, request one at http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and select 'Click here to request your Docket Number PIN and/or USDOT Number PIN.' Be sure to request a U.S. DOT Number PIN, NOT a Docket Number PIN.
CDL TESTING STANDARDS Final Rule
FMCSA issued its final rule May 5, 2011, amending the commercial driver's license knowledge and skills testing standards and establishing new minimum federal standards for states to issue a commercial learner's permit. FMCSA said the final rule will enhance safety by ensuring that only qualified drivers are allowed to operate CMVs. For further information and to read the final rule plus comments << click here >>.
CALIFORNIA OPERATIONS
If you're operating in California and looking for information on California emissions requirements, for diesel emission rules email 8666DIESEL@arb.ca.gov or call 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735). For informatior on Port of Los Angeles truck engine restrictions and other requirements, go to portoflosangeles.org. For information on CARB’s Port Drayage Regulation, go to arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/porttruck/porttruck.htm.
DISTRACTED DRIVING
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) while operating in interstate commerce. The Agency proposes new driver disqualification sanctions for interstate drivers who incur multiple violations of this restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State traffic law that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones.
In addition, interstate motor carriers would be prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to engage in the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while operating in interstate commerce. FMCSA says the rulemaking would improve safety on the nation’s highways by reducing tdistracted driving-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving drivers of CMVs. For more information << click here >>.
DRIVER MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Medical Marijuana
In November 2010, Arizona voters passed Proposition 203, legalizing the use of marijuana for prescribed medical purposes. What does this mean to employers with employees and owner/operators on public highways operating commercial motor vehicles (CDL and non-CDL alike)? How do the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Arizona enforcement agencies view medical marijuana?
Proposition 203 and the underlying rules do not authorize employees to use or distribute marijuana at work. Only individuals with specific conditions, or who are participating in specific treatments, are eligible to use medical marijuana. Moreover and most importantly, employers are not required to allow employees to use medical marijuana at work or during work hours, and may discipline an employee for doing so. To read more on Medical Marijuana in Arizona please << click here >>.
HAZMAT SAFETY PERMITS
The new criteria for 2011-2012 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits (HMSP) are posted at: http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/HazMatRates.aspx An HMSP is required for carriers that transport certain explosives, PIH materials, highway route controlled radioactive materials, and liquefied natural gas. All hazmat carriers must have these permits by July 1, 2011. The new hazmat out-of-service thresholds have been significantly lowered and may be problematic for some carriers that currently hold an HMSP.
HOURS OF SERVICE - EOBRs AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
On January 31, 2011 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a proposed regulation that all interstate commercial truck and bus carriers that now use logbooks to track compliance with hours-of-service regulations would have to use electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) instead. The proposal would relieve carriers of the current requirement to retain certain HOS documents, such as delivery and toll receipts, that are now used to verify the number of hours the vehicle is in operation, and require motor carriers to develop and maintain systematic HOS oversight of their drivers. Over 500,000 motor carriers would be affected by the proposed rule, FMCSA said. For further information and to obtain a copy of the NPRM << click here >>.
FMCSA RE-OPENS DOCKET ON PROPOSED NEW HOURS OF SERVICE RULES
Acknowledging that it will not meet the July deadline imposed by the courts, FMCSA recently published four new studies on driver fatigue and re-opened the comments period on the agency's proposed new HOS rules. Now FMCSA says it expects to issue the new rules by October 31, 2011. To review the proposed new rules << click here >>.
ATA 2011 DRIVER OF THE FOURTH QUARTER 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 a Driver of the Quarter application.
At the end of the year, the Driver of the Year will be selected from the four recipients of thE 2011 Driver of the Quarter(s). More information about the program is below:
- Download the Fourth Quarter PDF Application << click here >> .
- 2011 Driver of the Fourth Quarter Applications will be accepted from through February 15, 2012.
For more infomation on other safety and compliance issues, click on the FAQs drop-down bar under this tab.
If you are not a member of the Arizona Trucking Association and need help with safety and compliance issues, please call 602.850.6000 for names of ATA member companies that provide safety consulting services.