Last week, our blog discussed the new changes and updates that the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC factsheet went through. Ultimately, these changes were designed to better educate motor carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers, much like yourself. As a moving and storage company, it is important to stay on top of this sort of news. Luckily, you have our insurance experts and blog to turn to for these updates; whether the updates relate to DOT policies or changes in your movers insurance policy. We believe the protection and safety of your drivers is important!

This week, we will discuss how your company and other motor carriers and drivers should improve safety performance in the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC. If both you and your employees are not aware of these techniques, you may find your company lagging behind. In order to comply with the updated rules and regulations, drivers and motor carriers should follow the procedures defined below.

•    According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), it is important for drivers to “understand the importance of keeping their records of duty status (RODS) accurate, current and complete. As an employer, it is your responsibility to let your employee know how many hours they can legally drive before breaking HOS (Hours of Service) rules.”

•    Drivers must understand how the lack of sleep will negatively affect their ability to drive safely.

•    The FMCSA states that it is also important for employers to “identify patterns of noncompliance in their drivers and educate them on the regulations and importance of complying with them.”

•    Employers should always be aware of how long drivers have been operating on the road.

•    Employers should always answer any questions drivers’ may have about regulations and direct them to the proper websites for more information (FMCSA and CSA websites).

•    Moving and storage companies should be aware that any violations of these regulations will have a negative effect on a motor carrier’s SMS data for 24 months.

At Wolpert Insurance, we do not want to see your business struggle because of a simple mistake! As a result, we are here to provide comprehensive and affordable movers insurance. We can supply your business with protection for motor truck cargo, automobile liability, warehouse liability and much more. Feel free to contact us for a free quote!

For more information on the updated Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC, or for help in these areas you can turn to Fleet Safety Services.

 

As a moving and storage company, it is important to stay on top of any changes or updates in the field, whether the change has to do with your movers insurance policy or even safety requirements by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. As of January 17, 2012, the FMSCA release an updated version of the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC factsheet. This factsheet is designed to better educate motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers and other related industries.

First, what is the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC?

“The Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC is one of the seven categories that the FMSCA CSA program uses in order to determine how a motor carrier ranks relative to other carrier with a similar number of safety events.” More specifically, these rules are concerned with drowsy driving. “This BASIC includes violations of the regulations pertaining to records of duty status (RODS) as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of CMV driver fatigue.” For example, your company may find itself in trouble if it is found to have drivers operating more hours than allowed under HOS regulations. This is why it is important to stay on top of these regulations!

If you want to see where your company stands, you can check the website. CSA’s Safety Measurement System assigns motor carriers a percentile rank for each BASIC based on violations cited during roadside inspections and reviews. By logging into the SMS site, you may notice a warning symbol, meaning that you may have safety compliance problems. If you think that your company may be in trouble, act fast. If your percentile rank indicates lower safety compliance, it may lead to warning letters or even investigations.

Now that you have a general overview of this factsheet, you must understand how your company and other motor carriers and drivers should improve safety performance in the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC. Be sure to visit our blog next week for more information on this crucial topic.

At Wolpert Insurance, we care about the safety of your company and your employees. That is why we believe insurance for moving and storage companies is so essential. We have a wide variety of programs and coverage options dedicated to the moving and storage industry. Some of our specialties include: automobile liability, automobile physical damage, warehouse liability, motor truck cargo, workers compensation and much more. Do not hesitate to visit our website or contact us for more information!

As a moving and storage company, it is crucial to stay informed on changes going on in the industry; whether a change in moving insurance policies or even a change in safety regulations. Recently, there have been improvements made by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Safety Measure System (SMS) is constantly improving in order to keep drivers safe on the road and as of last week, there have been changes concerning texting and hand held phones.

Commercial motor vehicle drivers may have noticed the following two changes:

#1: On January 3, 2012, the FMCSA made the decision to ban commercial drivers from using mobile phones while driving, including a ban on texting.  There are five new texting and cell phone violations. Each of these violations carries the maximum 10 points and they are as follows:

•    Texting while operating a CMV;

•    Using a mobile phone while operating a CMV;

•    Driving a CMV while texting;

•    Using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV;

•    Allowing or requiring drivers to use a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV.

#2: There have been 22 violations derived from six current Vehicle Maintenance violations. These 22 provide much more descriptive and detailed information about compliance with existing brake, wheel and coupling regulations. This change is guaranteed to help clarify who the responsible is for the violations, the motor carrier or the Intermodal Equipment Provider.

As the owner of a moving and storage company, it is important to inform your drivers of these new violations. If not, you may find your company in trouble.

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure your company is always protected from the worst case scenario. By offer insurance for moving and storage companies, we are able to protect your business from liability issues, injuries and even lawsuits. Some of our specialties include: automobile liability, motor truck cargo, commercial umbrella, warehouse liability, workers compensation and much more. Contact us for a free quote today!

As the owner of a moving and storage company, it is your responsibility to be on top of any changes in the commercial vehicle industry or even your own company. Change, whether large or small, will always affect your business, whether it affects your employees, safety regulations, licensing or even your movers insurance. Most recently, MassDOT RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian has announced a new federal regulation that will be in affect by spring. This new regulation requires action by all 180,000 licensed commercial drivers, commercial permit holders, and new commercial applicants in Massachusetts.

What is this change in regulation?

“The FMCSA regulation will require all CDL operators to self-certify based on the type of commerce they engage in, interstate or intrastate, and whether or not they are required a US DOT Medical Certificate. Additionally, drivers requiring a US DOT Medical Certificate must provide a copy of it to the RMV.”

What is the reason for this change in regulation?

The aim of this new regulation is to better enforce medical qualification and fitness standards of CDL operators. If this information is readily available on the driver’s record, it will be much easier to access and ensure that CDL operators are medically sound. The bottom line: this new regulation is a way to improve safety out on the roads.

At Wolpert Insurance, we believe that safety and protection is the key to a successful business, especially for moving and storage companies. Your commercial vehicle drivers should always be ready to hit the road in a safe manner. Being safe also means being protected with movers insurance. If you are interested in affordable and reliable coverage, check out our specialties: automobile liability, motor truck cargo, warehouse liability, general liability, commercial umbrella and much more.

To read more about this change in policy, you can check out the full article on MassDOT RMV!