RMR Consultants is sharing a Special Opportunity with carriers, owner operators and fleet managers On Sale Now! a live recorded training video of CSA2010. This recorded version is cool its filled with the complete comprehensive training regarding upcoming changes going into effect in 2010 contact us today for your copy !!!
www.rmrconsultants.com
Get all the benefits of attending the Live version and be able to veiw it on your time schedule. Each copy can be shared with other members of the same Company, but may not be sold or re-distributed. A invoice will be e-mailed on all orders for payment via Credit Card
Friday, December 18, 2009
CSA 2010 LIVE ONLINE VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Live Webinar Training
We have been working hard in putting together quality informative training on the regulations concerning compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations. Our Webinars are Live On-Line Interactive training sessions. We are using Go-To-Webinar to host these events. Attendees can use their telephones to call in or use their PC with a sound card, for listening and a Microphone for asking questions. They also have the option to listen and type in questions in our Q&A box making this a very flexible way to communicate.
Our First Webinar was given on October 21, 2009 on Driver Qualifications - Driver Qualification Files - Forms needed - Maintaining the Files.
The second in the series of our 2-Hour Webinars covered Driver Hours of Service - Log Preparation and Auditing functions that should be done on the logs.
Our attempt is to provide short but comprehensice, convenient, cost effective training and re-training on subjects that effect Motor Carriers and Drivers. We strongly feel we are doing this and the feedback we are receiving confirms this, some of the comments have been:
"I'm always calling Mike to ask questions. Having visual of what he has been trying to teach me seamed to be more helpful" Veronica Hinguanzo, Charity Shoes and Clothing.
"Information was good. I did learn a few things that I did not know....." Jeanette McDaniel Schultz Bros. Trucking
"It was very informative and a good refresher course on things we need to have in our files and what information we need to get from the driver." Gary Meyer Safety Department Schultz Bros. Trucking
All in all, it was a good webinar, primarily because it was easy to understand and that you knew what you were talking about and you helped to influence us on your experience and ideas." Paul Gregory, Transportation Manager Tri Dal, LTD.
With CSA 2010 coming in the near future and with on-going revisions it will be critical for Motor Carriers to stay on top of what is transpiring and the Webinar approach can adapt to and be responsive to those demands. We are developing a Webinar for CSA 2010 and will give our first presentation on November 18, 2009 at 2 PM CDT.
We also have planned repeat Webinars on these subjects, all will be live and each one will be different due to changes in regulations, new events and discussions from the Attendees.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
CSA 2010 - DRIVER SAFETY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
For the first time Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles will have a Safety Profile developed by DSMS -Driver Safety Measurement System. Points will be assigned to each violation, not just Out of Service Violations, that is considered to be a Driver Violation. This includes in-operative lights, brake violations, logs, log violations to include form and manner violations such as Miles missing from the log, Shipping Document Information and do not forget about Speeding tickets and other Motor Vehicle Law convictions. These points range from 1 to 10 and are weighted by time periods. Violations within the current 12 months have a factor (multiplied by) 3; 12 to 24 months have a factor of x 2; and 24 to 36 months would be the assigned points.
These points will stay with the Driver, even if he leaves the employ or lease of the current Motor Carrier. Well you would think that would be enough, not quite. There are plans to outsource this Driver Data to third parties and will be able, upon a request and release from the Motor Carrier, to provide the Driver information before or at time of being hired.
Driver's can also be determined to be UNFIT by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If this should occur the Driver will not be able to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) for anyone. They will have to wait a time period for points to fall off the report, in order to go back to work as a Driver of a CMV.
Motor Carriers will be under pressure to not hire Drivers with unacceptable Safety Profiles. Eventually Insurance companies will get involved and demand Drivers have an acceptable score, which is yet to be determined.
Below is a link to the points assigned by violation. Also visit our website and join our Forum to ask and receive answers to questions you may have. If you are the Motor Carrier, get this information out to your Driver's
Link to the Points assigned - http://tinyurl.com/yek89tf
RMR Consultants Link (Also join our Newsletter) - http://www.rmrconsultants.com/
Our next segment will be on the Motor Carrier Intervention
These points will stay with the Driver, even if he leaves the employ or lease of the current Motor Carrier. Well you would think that would be enough, not quite. There are plans to outsource this Driver Data to third parties and will be able, upon a request and release from the Motor Carrier, to provide the Driver information before or at time of being hired.
Driver's can also be determined to be UNFIT by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If this should occur the Driver will not be able to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) for anyone. They will have to wait a time period for points to fall off the report, in order to go back to work as a Driver of a CMV.
Motor Carriers will be under pressure to not hire Drivers with unacceptable Safety Profiles. Eventually Insurance companies will get involved and demand Drivers have an acceptable score, which is yet to be determined.
Below is a link to the points assigned by violation. Also visit our website and join our Forum to ask and receive answers to questions you may have. If you are the Motor Carrier, get this information out to your Driver's
Link to the Points assigned - http://tinyurl.com/yek89tf
RMR Consultants Link (Also join our Newsletter) - http://www.rmrconsultants.com/
Our next segment will be on the Motor Carrier Intervention
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
CSA 2010 INITIATIVE
I recently attended a conference and one of the major discussions was on the CSA 2010 Initiative fy the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admisistraion (FMCSA). This Initiative was started in 2008 and added motor carriers in a few States as a testing grounds. A few more States were added earlier this year and more in the Fall of 2009 are being added. The full implementation Nationwide is scheduled to begin in July of 2010 with all States added before 2011.
This Initiative, even though not very well publicized, will revolutionize the Motor Carrier Industry and the way Safety Ratings are assigned. All carriers will be starting out in the hole, so to speak. The data used is for the preceding 24 months. So in July of 2010 the data used will start with August of 2008. Due to carriers being in the hole and not knowing it, alot of them will be getting blind sided with a Compliance Review. Today carriers can look at the Safersys.org website to see where they stand in relationship to receiving a Compliance Review. The data on the new Initiative will not be able to be reviewed until January of 2010, unless you are a carrier with your main office in one of the test States.
The methodology used will assign a value to all violations found on roadside inspections, not just Out of Service violations and will be a weighted average over the preceding 24 months. Safety Ratings will be subject to change every 30 days, when updated data is released. Shippers need to be educated on this as well, is your agreement conditioned on you the carrier maintaining a Satisfactory Safety Rating. You may not be able to, at least in the beginning, and it could change several times a year due to a bad hiring decision or a string of maintenance related issues. These are additional things to consider.
I encourage all carriers to start getting pro-active and start now reviewing your existing data to find out where you are and start developing a plan of action to counteract the effects that otherwise will be felt later next year. Take your existing violations for 24 months apply the methodology and see where you stand. A FMCSA representative stated that SEA values could increase by a factor of 20 in Vehicle and Driver categories. This will put alot of carriers in the "High Risk" category and subject to a Compliance Review.
Then once the data is available in January of 2010 a review needs to be conducted every 30 days, at the time the new data is released to re-evaluate your standing and make revisions to your action plan. This is a must for all carriers, if they want to survive in the new era of this Initiative.
Our company is putting together resources to perform these reviews and to assist carriers in putting together a action plan to help reduce the violations being received. If you need assistance, please get with us before it is too late.
More industry information can be found at:
http://www.csa2010.com/
http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/
This Initiative, even though not very well publicized, will revolutionize the Motor Carrier Industry and the way Safety Ratings are assigned. All carriers will be starting out in the hole, so to speak. The data used is for the preceding 24 months. So in July of 2010 the data used will start with August of 2008. Due to carriers being in the hole and not knowing it, alot of them will be getting blind sided with a Compliance Review. Today carriers can look at the Safersys.org website to see where they stand in relationship to receiving a Compliance Review. The data on the new Initiative will not be able to be reviewed until January of 2010, unless you are a carrier with your main office in one of the test States.
The methodology used will assign a value to all violations found on roadside inspections, not just Out of Service violations and will be a weighted average over the preceding 24 months. Safety Ratings will be subject to change every 30 days, when updated data is released. Shippers need to be educated on this as well, is your agreement conditioned on you the carrier maintaining a Satisfactory Safety Rating. You may not be able to, at least in the beginning, and it could change several times a year due to a bad hiring decision or a string of maintenance related issues. These are additional things to consider.
I encourage all carriers to start getting pro-active and start now reviewing your existing data to find out where you are and start developing a plan of action to counteract the effects that otherwise will be felt later next year. Take your existing violations for 24 months apply the methodology and see where you stand. A FMCSA representative stated that SEA values could increase by a factor of 20 in Vehicle and Driver categories. This will put alot of carriers in the "High Risk" category and subject to a Compliance Review.
Then once the data is available in January of 2010 a review needs to be conducted every 30 days, at the time the new data is released to re-evaluate your standing and make revisions to your action plan. This is a must for all carriers, if they want to survive in the new era of this Initiative.
Our company is putting together resources to perform these reviews and to assist carriers in putting together a action plan to help reduce the violations being received. If you need assistance, please get with us before it is too late.
More industry information can be found at:
http://www.csa2010.com/
http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Thursday, August 27, 2009
DOT Drug Testing Things We Should Know
A few months ago I was approached by two motor carriers that received "Unsatisfactory" Ratings during a Compliance Review. This is what inspired me to write this blog entry.
Everyone of us should know -
Not to use a driver the first time until a negative result has be received on a
Pre-Employment drug test. This can be a verbal or written confirmation from your Medical Review Officer (MRO) or third party provider. The DOT auditors are pulling payroll records and logs to find out when the driver first drove for companies and then comparing it to the date the (MRO) reviewed the result.
All drivers must be in a Random drug/alcohol test pool and the drivers selected must be tested within the random testing period. For example if your randoms are pulled quarterly then the tests need to be done within that quarter. Drivers that were unavailable (for a good reason) should have the reason for not testing notated on the selection notification form. An additional random selection should then be made to insure you are testing at the required level.
Cannot use a driver that has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test until he/she has undergone a review by a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and authorized to Return To Duty. If notified of a positive test result you must remove the driver from all safety sensitive duties, i.e.; driving, immediately.
The MRO must keep the date and time a company or third party provider was notified of the positive test. I have had auditors call the MRO and find out what time companies were notified then compare to time sheets, time cards and/or logs to find out when the company took him/her off the road. If not within a reasonable time period they are in violation and it is an Acute or Critical Violation that could effect their safety rating. As a note, the third party provider if one is used, must also keep the time they notify their clients of the positive test result.
Don't get in a hurry to use a driver for the first time or be slow in removing them from service once you find out a driver has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test, even if it is inconvenient.
Oh and the two companies, we were able to get the "Unsatisfactory" brought up, one to "Conditional" the other to "Satisfactory".
Everyone of us should know -
Not to use a driver the first time until a negative result has be received on a
Pre-Employment drug test. This can be a verbal or written confirmation from your Medical Review Officer (MRO) or third party provider. The DOT auditors are pulling payroll records and logs to find out when the driver first drove for companies and then comparing it to the date the (MRO) reviewed the result.
All drivers must be in a Random drug/alcohol test pool and the drivers selected must be tested within the random testing period. For example if your randoms are pulled quarterly then the tests need to be done within that quarter. Drivers that were unavailable (for a good reason) should have the reason for not testing notated on the selection notification form. An additional random selection should then be made to insure you are testing at the required level.
Cannot use a driver that has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test until he/she has undergone a review by a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and authorized to Return To Duty. If notified of a positive test result you must remove the driver from all safety sensitive duties, i.e.; driving, immediately.
The MRO must keep the date and time a company or third party provider was notified of the positive test. I have had auditors call the MRO and find out what time companies were notified then compare to time sheets, time cards and/or logs to find out when the company took him/her off the road. If not within a reasonable time period they are in violation and it is an Acute or Critical Violation that could effect their safety rating. As a note, the third party provider if one is used, must also keep the time they notify their clients of the positive test result.
Don't get in a hurry to use a driver for the first time or be slow in removing them from service once you find out a driver has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test, even if it is inconvenient.
Oh and the two companies, we were able to get the "Unsatisfactory" brought up, one to "Conditional" the other to "Satisfactory".
Sunday, August 23, 2009
What Has Changed At The FMCSA In The Last Year
It is for sure there have been several changes in the regulations that effected the Trucking Indusry over the last year. I will try to reflect on some of the important issues, should you think of more or have comments on how these have effected you please, post your comments.
Nov 2008 - Changes made to supporting documents to add electronic records, GPS. Ever since GPS came out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said they would not use the data in Compliance Reviews. It would not compare GPS data to logs to check for falsifications on the log by the driver. Well the rules have changed, more like someone changed their mind. Now the FMCSA will have auditors use the data in their efforts to find False Logs.
All carriers must retain the information for six months. Failure to do so will result in a record keeping violation for not having Supporting Documents. http://tinyurl.com/mhrjhd
Dec 2008 - FMCSA issued a final rule to combine the Medical Records (Physicals) to the CDL. This will allow Law Enforcement to have the information available. The FMCSA also established provisions to establish National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to ensure that physical qualification examinations of CDL holders are performed by qualified medical practitioners and are administered in a uniform and consistent manner. http://tinyurl.com/lre3lt
Dec 2008 - FMCSA establishes 16 regulations that a New Entrant Carrier must comply with or not be able to pass their Safety Audit, for the first violation of any of the 16. One strike and your out. http://tinyurl.com/krun2d
June 2009 - Intermodal providers are made subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The new regulations make intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among intermodal equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers.
http://tinyurl.com/kw6mob
Aug 2009 - The observed collection for Return To Duty and Follow Up tests was finally announced to go into effect August 31, 2009. It also contains language as to the specifics the collectors must check for and how they are to do it. http://tinyurl.com/nw4d29
This is in addition to many State regulations tightening down on the Trucking Industry. Texas recently adopted rules that go in effect September 1, 2009 to eliminate idling by drivers while taking their mandatory break. I hope truck stops add more air hook-ups. In addition, CDL drivers are required to notify the State and Employer of any traffic convictions and violations of ordinances within 7 days versus the 30 day requirement in the FMSCR.
So what is ahead for us, the most important thing I have seen and it has to be one of the major things to come along since the change in the Hours of Service regulations is CSA 2010. This is going to change all most rules of how Saftey Ratings are made and how Compliance Reviews will be prioritized. More to come on this in another blog. But check this link out for now. They even have their own website, so you know it is going to be intense..http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/
For up to date changes and what is in the news join us on Facebook. Check out our FAQ's on our website and follow us on Twitter. Links to all are on the left of the blog section.
Nov 2008 - Changes made to supporting documents to add electronic records, GPS. Ever since GPS came out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said they would not use the data in Compliance Reviews. It would not compare GPS data to logs to check for falsifications on the log by the driver. Well the rules have changed, more like someone changed their mind. Now the FMCSA will have auditors use the data in their efforts to find False Logs.
All carriers must retain the information for six months. Failure to do so will result in a record keeping violation for not having Supporting Documents. http://tinyurl.com/mhrjhd
Dec 2008 - FMCSA issued a final rule to combine the Medical Records (Physicals) to the CDL. This will allow Law Enforcement to have the information available. The FMCSA also established provisions to establish National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to ensure that physical qualification examinations of CDL holders are performed by qualified medical practitioners and are administered in a uniform and consistent manner. http://tinyurl.com/lre3lt
Dec 2008 - FMCSA establishes 16 regulations that a New Entrant Carrier must comply with or not be able to pass their Safety Audit, for the first violation of any of the 16. One strike and your out. http://tinyurl.com/krun2d
June 2009 - Intermodal providers are made subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The new regulations make intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among intermodal equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers.
http://tinyurl.com/kw6mob
Aug 2009 - The observed collection for Return To Duty and Follow Up tests was finally announced to go into effect August 31, 2009. It also contains language as to the specifics the collectors must check for and how they are to do it. http://tinyurl.com/nw4d29
This is in addition to many State regulations tightening down on the Trucking Industry. Texas recently adopted rules that go in effect September 1, 2009 to eliminate idling by drivers while taking their mandatory break. I hope truck stops add more air hook-ups. In addition, CDL drivers are required to notify the State and Employer of any traffic convictions and violations of ordinances within 7 days versus the 30 day requirement in the FMSCR.
So what is ahead for us, the most important thing I have seen and it has to be one of the major things to come along since the change in the Hours of Service regulations is CSA 2010. This is going to change all most rules of how Saftey Ratings are made and how Compliance Reviews will be prioritized. More to come on this in another blog. But check this link out for now. They even have their own website, so you know it is going to be intense..http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/
For up to date changes and what is in the news join us on Facebook. Check out our FAQ's on our website and follow us on Twitter. Links to all are on the left of the blog section.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Background
As owner and operator of RMR Consultants, Mike Rone founded his company 10 Years ago in May of 1999 in order to bring a increasingly necessary service to a under-serviced, but highly regulated industry. Mike Rone knew the industry needed to have a more complete and accessible compliance information and resources. Mike Rone felt that RMR Consultants could provide professional advice regarding Specialized D.O.T. Compliance, support, and information regarding Regulatory matters. RMR provides clients with knowledgeable and assistance with paperwork,accounting,audits and the long list of burdensome work that companies and individuals in the carrier industry need to do business.
RMR has over 28 Years of practical experience and Certification in several fields of the industry related to D.O.T compliance such a; Safety,Traffic, Rate Negotiations, Freight Bill Audit and Payments ,FHWA Operation Authorities and State Regulations. Mike's extensive knowledge,which covers shippers,carriers, and private fleet management, along with work as a major distributor in Dallas managing a Private Fleet Operation in 16 states and being responsible for 140 drivers, he was well qualified to build the blueprint for RMR Consultants over support and success.
(Mike Rone is a Certified Fleet Safety Director. The Certification was received through joint recognition from the Texas Motor Transportation Association and Texas A&M Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANY CHECK US OUT ONLINE http://www.rmrconsultants.com/ CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND OVER 50 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN TRUCKING SAFETY AND DOT COMPLIANCE
RMR has over 28 Years of practical experience and Certification in several fields of the industry related to D.O.T compliance such a; Safety,Traffic, Rate Negotiations, Freight Bill Audit and Payments ,FHWA Operation Authorities and State Regulations. Mike's extensive knowledge,which covers shippers,carriers, and private fleet management, along with work as a major distributor in Dallas managing a Private Fleet Operation in 16 states and being responsible for 140 drivers, he was well qualified to build the blueprint for RMR Consultants over support and success.
(Mike Rone is a Certified Fleet Safety Director. The Certification was received through joint recognition from the Texas Motor Transportation Association and Texas A&M Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANY CHECK US OUT ONLINE http://www.rmrconsultants.com/ CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND OVER 50 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN TRUCKING SAFETY AND DOT COMPLIANCE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
