A collection of news and updates related specifically to the trucking industry and online safety training ideas.

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What New CSA Changes Have to Do with Driver Training

What New CSA Changes Have to Do with Driver Training

Changes are coming to the CSA program. Are you ready for them? Here’s what you need to know to meet the challenge and stay sharp, and how Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can help you face the changes.

What’s not changing

FMCSA’s safety measurement system will still use roadside inspections and violations data to produce its metrics. They want to identify carriers that score higher than their peers in patterns of non-compliance with regulations. This is the safety measurement system approach that’s been in place for several years now. It compares carriers with one another to produce the scores (peer-based), and uses violations from roadside inspections to gather its data.

What is changing

What they gather and why is not changing, but their approach to interpreting the data is. Instead of focusing on predicting how many accidents might correspond with your level of compliance, what they want to know is are you actively attempting to prevent accidents overall?  

Here’s the difference. Let’s say your drivers are showing up at roadside inspections with minor lights violations. Previously, the CSA would focus on what that might mean in terms of accidents directly related to these violations–which might not amount to much. Now, they are also looking at the bigger picture. If they see minor lights violations, they’re not calculating the risk of accidents only directly related to those lights, but also accidents related to neglecting maintenance in general. That’s a bigger deal.

In other words, while the previous focus was on predicting the effects of individual violations, the new focus is on what these violations say about your company’s wholesale commitment to safety, your company culture.

Going back to our example, a minor lights violation is no longer just a minor lights violation. It raises a red flag to the FMCSA that your company might have a habit of neglecting maintenance in general.

Watch our free webinar, HOW TO PREPARE FOR MAJOR CSA CHANGES IN 2019, for more.


The key to CSA scores

One thing you don’t want to hear this year is that you have met the CSA threshold and now there’s an alert on your company. You’ve got attention from the federal government, higher liability premiums, and even loss of business with shippers if they think you’re too much of a risk.  

You can avoid this. And the solution may be more streamlined than you think.

Improving your CSA score starts with better driver training.

Let’s break that down. It’s important to remember that when the CSA determines your score  they’re ticking a lot of individual boxes, but they’re basically looking at two main categories:

  • Individual violations
  • Company culture

Company culture and CSA

Violations have to do with the driving record of an individual driver, such as a speeding ticket or backing into a parked vehicle. But, as the FMCSA now recognizes, those individual records are also a reflection of your company culture as a whole.

Instead of thinking of your CSA inspection as a drag, think of it more like a check-up at the doctor’s office. The more things you have in line with the CSA, the more likely it is that your company is operating in a way conducive to healthy success. Why?

The heart of a trucking company is based on the very big-picture questions that will now also determine your CSA score:

  • How much attention are you giving to the most common non-compliance issues your driver’s face?
  • How much attention are you paying to your drivers, period?
  • How quickly are you addressing unwanted behavior and habits?
  • What do your onboarding and training look like?
  • Are you careful about who you hire?
  • Are you meticulous about recordkeeping, training, and maintenance?
  • Are you doing everything you can to encourage clear communication between leaders, dispatchers, and drivers?

And last but not least, is a question that sums it all up:

  • Do you always value safety first? Or are you willing to cut corners for your bottom line?

Safety first – no matter what

The golden phrase for your CSA score is “Safety First,” not “Meet the Technical Requirements, and Safety When it’s Convenient.” And this is a good thing. Accidents involving semis are some of the most brutal on American highways. Trucking companies are gatekeepers for the safety of individuals, families, and billions of dollars of commerce on the road.

Infinit-I Workforce Solutions and your CSA score

With the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions system, you can make safety and top-quality drivers your number one priority, while still protecting your budget. We make this happen through efficient, frequent, and flexible training, all with an automated documentation system. Select from over 850 training videos to send to drivers, including customized media and that training can be done on the spot, anywhere, anytime, through a tablet or smartphone. This saves you:

  • In-person meeting costs, including loss of revenue from parked trucks
  • Insurance rates through fewer incidents
  • Travel and lodging for all your trainers  throughout the year
  • Fees and fines associated with litigation

See our blog on COST SAVINGS.

But even though cost-savings is crucial, the point is, what always needs to guide your company culture is a concern for having the safest fleets on the road. Here’s how Infinit-I Workforce Solutions accomplishes that:

Instant remediation

The Infinit-I Workforce Solutions system makes it possible to immediately remediate on every driving issue, every time. Whether it’s maintenance, speeding, road rage, or improperly charged fire extinguishers, addressing problems immediately and repeatedly shows you did your due diligence, and actually changes driver behavior.

A holistic approach

Companies that partner with us get a customized set of interlocking tools to affect safety improvements at every level of your business, from getting the right training videos to drivers, to strategy building, to documentation. And we’re constantly offering free webinars and Engage seminars to keep you informed about new regulations and cutting-edge developments in trucking safety management.

Keep safety first and promote a culture of safety, and not only will you protect your CSA scores, but you’ll also develop a reputation for excellence. Try a free demo of Infinit-I Workforce Solutions

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Benefits of Online Training vs. In-person Safety Meetings

Benefits of Online Training

Added safety training doesn’t have to take your drivers off the job. Get all your drivers in the classroom, every time, by making the classroom virtual. The benefits are practical and meet some of your toughest challenges.

Read more

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6 Training and Communication Fixes to Reduce Driver Turnover

How Our System Helps Reduce Driver Turnover

How to Use Your Training Program to Reduce Driver Turnover

Driver turnover is a significant issue in the trucking industry, with levels of turnover at 80% or higher across the industry. For many reasons, drivers are leaving companies or leaving the industry all together. Even high-paying companies struggle to keep drivers.

The reasons for drivers leaving range from poor communication to not feeling valued. The decision to stay or go can come down to a single make-or-break type problem, to a build up of frustrations over time.

There are tools you can put in place to reduce your company turnover though. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can help you put those tools in place so you can go from playing defense to being proactive in gaining crucial insight into driver dissatisfaction.

Infinit-I also has the tools you need to implement real change immediately. This starts with six ways you can reduce driver turnover.

1.      Make Use of Exit Interviews

Do you know why drivers are leaving your company to go somewhere else? Getting the answers you need is as simple as asking. Asking these questions during exit interviews is an important first step to making real changes.

Share the information you get from these interviews with Infinit-I’s client success team to get help turning those issues around. You can use the system to host custom management training based on the issues that come up the most with drivers.

You can set up training solutions based on your reports to provide material based on driver questions and concerns. Take the guess work out of it. Get solutions immediately instead of waiting until you’ve lost twenty more drivers over these same issues.

2.      Take Advantage of Custom Content

While ready to use training material is useful, you will get more out of your training if you speak directly to the drivers in your company too. You can try individual or group meetings with drivers, but that means parked trucks and drivers unavailable for those meetings. To understand their needs, you must have real access to the drivers.

Infinit-I can work with you to develop custom content so you can speak directly to your drivers. With online communication and training tools, you can reach 100% of your drivers, no matter where they are, without disrupting their work schedules.

Using the information you gather to reduce driver turnover, you can develop content based on the issues important to your company, layout a timeframe to make changes, provide practical steps to meet these goals, and share what is needed from drivers and management.

With the tracking tools available, you can keep documentation of all training and communications provided. You can also access reports to show completion of employee training, so you know your message is getting to everyone.

3.      Provide Solutions for Effective Communication

Your dispatchers will have more interaction with drivers than anyone else in the company. This means it’s important to have positive communication between dispatchers and drivers to keep drivers happy and reduce driver turnover.

Your drivers come from diverse backgrounds, including a range from baby boomers to millennials. Dispatchers need to understand how to communicate across these diverse backgrounds, and Infinit-I allows you to provide the training necessary to improve those skills.

We can help you teach them the skills they need with practical tips, important dos and don’ts, and increasing their awareness of what drivers need to thrive.

4.      Increase Driver Confidence

Taking advantage of the communication and training tools provided through Infinit-I gives you better access and cross-communication between drivers, dispatchers, and management. Providing solutions that speak to real needs also shows that you:

  • Pay attention to driver concerns
  • Take the time to meet drivers where they are
  • Want to ensure drivers don’t feel alone and disconnected

Drivers who feel taken care of are drivers who will stay. Making it your goal for 100% of drivers to receive clear, effective communication will help reduce driver turnover. You show them your company is listening to your drivers and can meet their needs.

5.      Get as Specific as You Need

Training is never one size fits all. Every company has issues specific to them, and you need the tools to address these issues and needs. Many Infinit-I clients use our system address these specific needs.

For example, what do you do about delivery points at difficult locations?

Imagine you’ve got a driver making a delivery in downtown Manhattan. If you leave it up to the GPS, your driver may find themselves in difficult situations. If you end up needing to call the police and the city to help turn a truck around, you’ve got a stressed driver, wasted time on the road, and extra expenses.

If you know this can be a concern, you can create or source content to help navigate entering and exiting delivery points. This is one of many examples on how you can make the training specific. If you’re giving drivers tough jobs, you need to give them relevant training.

6.      Prescreen Drivers During Onboarding

A good onboarding process gives you the best opportunity to determine which drivers will be a good fit for your company. While you can never guarantee every driver who pre-qualifies will work out, you can put some screening tools in place to help you and applicants determine if the employment is a good fit.

You can use the Infinit-I system in several ways to help you recruit the right fit:

Send training material to test preliminary knowledge and weed out those who aren’t serious. Some applicants may fail this test. Others may not even bother to complete the training.

Either way, you know ahead of time this isn’t the person you want. This step shows you’re serious about finding the right person. Getting the right fit in the beginning will reduce overall driver turnover.

Provide “A Day in the Life” videos or documents. This glimpse into your company will give potential drivers a realistic idea of what they can expect working for you. It reduces surprises and helps drivers determine if they will be up to completing the tasks specific to your company.

Just because a person has a CDL doesn’t mean they are going to fit in with the job you are providing. Keep driver turnover down by letting drivers come in prepared for what the job will look like.

Put Together a Training Program that Meets Your Goals

Recruiting and nurturing drivers that are the right fit for your company from the beginning is the best way to reduce driver turnover and meet your goals. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can provide the tools you need to ensure you get well-matched drivers.

Your drivers need support and connection. Strengthen this connection to your company by keeping everyone on the same page and working towards the same goals. Make the changes your trucking company needs.

To learn more about how Infinit-I can help you meet those goals, request a free demo. Get started getting the results you need.

Reduce Truck Driver Turnover

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How to Easily and Realistically Change Driver Behavior

How to Easily and Realistically Change Driver Behavior

The primary reason you train your drivers is to achieve a specific outcome in behavior. This means changing habits. But habits can be hard to break. And if those habits are unsafe or unprofessional, they’re costing you money and putting your business at legal risk. They need to change. How do you easily and realistically change driver behavior? Read more

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ELDs and the Rising Issue of Truck Parking

It’s hard not to notice the increase in number of trucks parked at roadside rest areas or Walmart parking lots these days, especially if you’re driving by in the evening hours or early morning. I drive by one of each (a Walmart parking lot and a rest area) on my way to work each morning at 7 o’clock and have definitely noticed more trucks over the past few months. What’s causing the increase of truck parking in the industry?

The Cause of Truck Parking Issues

In February 2017, the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration released survey results that reiterated the need for more truck parking nationwide. At that time, US Deputy Transportation Secretary, Victor Medenz, stated “We know truck parking has been a longstanding problem in our nation and we need new approaches to fix it.” Over a year later, and we now see this more than ever, likely thanks to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) ELD mandate.

Due to the ELDs tracking, drivers are being forced to find the closest place possible and pull over for their mandatory off-duty hours. According to Overdrive, the majority of truckers are running days, leading to prolonged occupation of available parking spaces through the overnight hours.

Truck Parking is the 4th Most Prioritized Issue in the Industry

According to The American Transportation Research Institute in October 2017, truck parking was the fourth most prioritized issue facing trucking stakeholder alliances. On average, drivers are spending one hour a day looking for parking, costing approximately $4,600 in lost wages yearly. Upon review of the results of the massive survey, sponsored by The American Trucking Association, it can be noted that issues 2-4 are all very close related.

The second biggest issue is the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate, third is hours-of-service regulations, and parking in fourth. These combined stressors lead to strain in fleet efficiency, as well as the health of drivers. The question then becomes, “What can be done about this?”

What’s Being Done to Fix Truck Parking Needs

In August 2018, the FMCSA started conducting listening sessions (in response to a petition from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) to discuss the possible reform of the hours-of-service regulations in response to the growing concerns from drivers and companies. This overhaul to the hours-of-service regulations will focus on four main ideas:

  • Extending the 14-hour daily limit to 16-hours in the event of adverse conditions
  • Allowing drivers to segment their 10-hour off-duty period
  • Revising the 30-minute break requirement
  • Expanding the hours limits for short-haul drivers

One of these listening sessions will be held in Reno, NV on September 22, 2018 to gather input from the public and members of the transportation industry. You listen to that session by clicking here. There will also be one September 28 in Joplin, MO and another on October 02 in Orlando, FL.

What Your Drivers Can Do Right Now to Fix Truck Parking

In the meantime, there are few options. Drivers can keep using roadside rest areas (with congested on and off ramps), store parking lots (and fight the four-wheeled and pedestrian traffic), or use pay-to-park. Most major truck stops are now offering pay-to-park options, complete with reservations required. A cursory search of the Pilot Flying J Prime Parking site shows rates in Tulsa, OK from $12-18 a night for semis. There are some good apps available to help drivers cut down on the time it takes to find parking
(check out Trucker Path).

But, this doesn’t solve the issue of paying for safe parking. As noted above, drivers are already losing an average of $4,600 in wages just in the time to find safe, legal parking. If they paid to park overnight in a five-day run that would be roughly $90 a week, leading to another $4,680 a year. That brings the lost wages up to greater than $9,000 a year. With the use of apps to find and reserve parking on their route, the cost of lost wages from just trying to find parking can be greatly reduced (ideally absolved altogether).

Still, it doesn’t solve the issue of paying to park. Owner-operators don’t seem to feel the same angst toward paying to park as company drivers. The major reason for this is that they can pass the cost on to their customers. Some of the larger companies are opting to pay this fee for their drivers (either through deals directly with the truck stops or by drivers turning in receipts and being reimbursed) and this is correlating with happier drivers and higher retention rates.

How Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can help

Hopefully the FMCSA’s new initiative for reform of hours-of-service will help lessen this burden. Until the results are out, are you doing all that you can to control operating costs?

Contact us today to request a free live demo or let us bring you to Dallas to attend an in-person Engage Event to see how Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can help reduce your overall costs of operation.

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DOT Regulation Updates You Need to Know

DOT Regulation Updates You Need to Know

Regardless of which section of the transportation industry you’re in, it’s important to understand how changes to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations affect your business. Some drastic changes occurred to various regulations to comply with the ELD Mandate passed in Dec. 2017. To avoid hefty fines, it’s up to you to familiarize yourself and your business’s stakeholders with all the policy updates. A few of the significant DOT regulation updates for 2018 are below.

DOT medical regulation updates

The DOT medical regulation updates go into effect, July 2018. At that time, due to the ELD Mandate, FMCSA will no longer require truck drivers to submit documentation of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate. Similarly, drivers won’t need to take their MEC with them on the road. Instead, FMSCA’s electronic database will confirm a driver’s medical information.

New DOT Regulation Updates: Drug Tests

As of January 2018, DOT regulation updates added four new drugs to drug testing procedures. The four semi-synthetic opioids are hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone. MDEA was removed from an initial testing list and replaced with MDA.

A new section of the regulation now specifies urine sample analysis as the only approved method of drug testing. HHS-certified labs must update their tests to accommodate these regulations. DOT testing is a five-panel drug test, which tests for 14 drugs. Specific details are on the transportation.gov website.

The ELD Mandate is in effect

As you know, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate began in Dec. 2017. What you might not know, is full enforcement of the ELD Mandate started April 1. Drivers can be taken out of service if they do not have an ELD, under the authority of FMCSA. Even the 90-day temporary waiver from ELD for agricultural transportation is no longer valid. Stay up to date with ELD information by checking the FMCSA website regularly. And stay tuned to your Infinit-I Workforce Content Solution for new and updated training for ELDs as well.

The government continually re-evaluates safety on U.S. roads. Therefore, DOT regulation updates happen on a consistent basis. Online safety training simplifies the process for both fleet owners and operators to stay on top of these ever-changing regulations. The Infinit-I Workforce System provides online training solutions specifically designed for trucking companies; check out some of our Client Success Stories. If you’re ready to learn more, request a demo here.

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Why Online Training is the Best Tool for Corrective Action

Why Online Training is the Best Tool for Corrective Action

Using Online Training for Corrective Action Training

Truck drivers work incredibly hard. Many put in well over 60 hours per week away from the comfort of loved ones and friends transporting billions of tons of a freight in a year. Drivers are attracted to the transportation industry because of good pay and consistency.

Many of these are skilled drivers, but no matter how skilled a driver is, infractions and accidents can still occur. When this happens, the FMCSA requires corrective action training before a driver returns to the road.

These infractions can occur because of mistakes or confusion regarding compliance with new or updated regulations. Infractions can occur among leadership and drivers, and an easy method like online systems for completing necessary training is the best way to reduce disruptions and clarify regulations.

Handling Corrective Action Needs

Corrective action training needs to happen quickly. While a driver is off the road, they are not making money and your fleet is moving less freight. This can even make difficulties with customers as they are getting delayed shipping times.

The fastest way to get training completed and get your driver back on the road is using online training like Infinit-I workforce Solutions. The training is accessible anytime, anywhere with any device that has an internet connection. Wherever your driver is, they can access and complete the required training modules.

The vast video library included with the Infinit-I platform includes training on many different scenarios. No matter what type of violation occurs, there is training available to address it. It’s simple for your safety team to assign modules with a completion timeframe for drivers to get it done.

The system keeps a record of all progress, including date and time-stamped completion certificates. This information is readily available for submission during audits, depositions, or any other situation requiring documentation.

Depending on the severity of the violation, you may want to follow up with other corrective actions. When a driver returns to the hub, you can set up additional in-person meetings to ensure they understand regulations. You can also upload custom content for drivers to understand how your organization handles different issues.

Beyond Corrective Action

The Infinit-I Workforce system provides online tools for corrective action training, but it’s useful for so much more. This platform is a customizable learning management system to meet all your training needs.

You can add custom content created by your company. You can integrate other tools such as ELDs with API integration. You can segment teams to communicate specific needs to different parts of your organization.

Whether you need to send corrective action or ongoing training to team members, or you need to announce new company initiatives, The Infinit-I system is the resource you need. To learn more about this system and the benefits it can bring to your company, request a demo.

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How to Improve Employee Engagement

Employee Engagement with Truck One

Improving Employee Engagement with Online Communication and Training

Jay Winegardner, CEO of Truck One, joined us to share his best tips on how to use the Infinit-I Workforce system for more effective employee engagement and communication. This includes creating custom content to personalize communications.

Winegardner has used the Infinit-I system since 2013 to improve his growing fleet, and he shares how easy this is to implement for the trucking industry.

Get to Know Truck One

Truck One began as B&L Motor Freight more than 70 years ago. Although the name has changed, the company continues to operate as a full truck loader and regular route carrier. They have 50 support employees at their hub and a fleet that consists of close to 200 truck drivers.

Some of the drivers are employees, while the rest are owner-operators. Winegardner requires all to complete Infinit-I Workforce System training. Many of the drivers have embraced the system, finding the training useful with good information.

Why Use Online Training?

Before implementing Infinit-I Workforce online training, Truck One held an annual in-person safety meeting. While attendance was mandatory, 25% of drivers would not be able to attend.

They tried incentivizing attendance with a dinner and door prizes, but the nature of the work made it difficult to meet 100% attendance. On top of poorly attended training, they were using paper communications that slowed down the process of informing the fleet on important communications.

Understanding that this was leading to poor employee engagement, Truck One decided to move to online training. This decision was reached for three reasons:

  • They were a growing organization that needed a better way to present a cohesive message to all employees.
  • They understood the need to implement custom content in their training program.
  • They needed an easy way to provide training to deal with incidents.

They took time to prepare the company for the rollout by ensuring they had all needed contact information to get everyone access to training. The Operations Safety Management team went through the training for themselves to make sure they understood the system and sent reminders to employees about the start date.

Winegardner also took the time to make sure employees understood why they were making the change and how it would help everyone. He produced a CEO message to share information about the system.

Through these preparations and a willingness to work with wary drivers on how to use their devices to access the training, Truck One made a smooth transition with little pushback. They were able to show how easy the training was to access, so the adoption rate among older drivers was not an issue either.

How the Infinit-I System has Improved Employee Engagement

Truck One has found that the Infinit-I system helped with employee engagement in many ways. Since everything is online, employees have access to an expansive library of videos. This reduces the need to pull personnel from other tasks to set up training for new hire onboarding and annual safety meetings.

Those employees who were pulled from other jobs to complete these things are now able to spend time improving their specific areas of responsibility while still having more time to complete those roles. Drivers still have access to important training, but they are able to complete that training in less time so they can stay productive on the road while ensuring everyone is able to join in the training.

Orientation

Online training has allowed them to complete pre-orientation training in less time while still providing necessary info. Winegardner said the online system has allowed him to tell which new drivers are serious about joining their team.

“They complete the work in no time.”

The safety management team has access to orientation templates that help them build out the orientation program. They also have an easy way to upload custom videos when needed to provide updates on national regulations.

Corrective Action Training

The Infinit-I online training management system makes it simple to assign corrective action training immediately to address concerns. After incidents, drivers receive an email to complete specific modules dealing with the incident.

The drivers have learned to expect the corrective action training based on communications from the safety management team. They understand they have a week to complete the training if they want to remain in good standing.

ELD Mandate

When the mandate for electronic logging devices came up, Truck One was able to prepare drivers for the rollout through training series from the manufacturer. API integration made it possible to upload this training to the Infinit-I system so it was easily accessible by all employees, current and new hires.

Monthly CEO Messages

While the ease of training access is great, where Winegardner excels with the Infinit-I system is his monthly CEO messages. Each month he prepares a message to share important information with all employees. He keeps the video to under five minutes so it’s easy for team members to watch, and his message includes:

  • A welcome to new employees
  • A summary of the videos for the month and why they are important
  • Company updates and announcements
  • Communications from the support team
  • Encouragement for everyone to stay safe

He makes sure to include plenty of gratitude and encouragement as he believes this is the hallmark of good leadership.

Further Advice on Using the Infinit-I System

Winegardner wrapped his message up with some last words of wisdom on implementing the Infinit-I system to train fleets.

  • Stick with it. The transition to online training is worthwhile.
  • Make sure you learn the system yourself to prepare for rollout.
  • Be diligent in implementing the program.
  • Make the training achievable. With custom content, keep videos short to keep driver attention.

Why does he encourage organizations to use the Infinit-I system to increase employee engagement? The system documents all completed training and tests, so the information is readily available at need.

The team also uses the system reporting and incident reports to select priority training to deal with safety issues immediately. In this way, Truck One has seen improvements in their CSA scores.

Transitioning to Online Training and Communication

If you are still trying to complete safety training through in-person meetings, you likely understand how difficult it is to get everyone to attend. If you’re ready to increase employee engagement and productivity, online training with Infinit-I Workforce Solutions has the tools you need to make this happen.

To learn how the Infinit-I Workforce System for Trucking can improve employee engagement for your fleet, request a demo here.

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6 Factors to Prepare for a DOT Compliance Audit

DOT Compliance Audit Prepartion

Are You Prepared for a DOT Compliance Audit?

Imagine the Department of Transportation (DOT) has informed you that you will have a DOT compliance audit. Would you be ready for it?

If you aren’t prepared, you can face fines for your company and drivers, and in the worst-case-scenario you could lose your business. Proper preparation and attention to detail can help you avoid these harsh penalties though.

To be prepared, you need to understand the BASICS of CSA violations and what’s necessary to prepare for the auditor when they come. The BASICS are often overlooked but making an effort to keep them top of mind will keep your fleets running in safety and compliance.

What is a Compliance Audit?

A DOT compliance audit is an on-site examination of a motor carrier’s operations. This is done to determine if the fleet’s safety fitness standard is being met and maintained. This audit evaluates a company’s safety performance, recordkeeping, and management controls.

Who Can be Audited?

Audits can be performed on any carrier transporting at least 10,000 pounds of cargo across state lines. These audits occur to ensure trucking companies are compliant with DOT and FMCSA regulations.

The DOT audits were designed to keep the roads safer, including your drivers and your cargo. Following necessary regulations means your business continues to run safely, efficiently, and profitably.

DOT Audit Inspection Factors

During a DOT compliance audit, the auditor is going to look at six factors to ensure your company is maintaining compliance. These factors are:

  • General
  • Driver
  • Operational
  • Vehicle
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Accidents

You will need to have records and other documentation necessary to show you have kept up with all necessary regulations. If you can’t produce the required documentation, you will end up with a CSA violation.

General

All motor carriers are required to have liability insurance for their entire fleet. You must be able to provide documentation showing you have the proper insurance.

You will also need to show proper documentation for the type of cargo being transported by your fleet. Certain cargo requires more restrictions, and it’s important to show you have everything in place.

Driver

There are several records you need to provide during an audit for your drivers. A carrier should be able to provide documentation that all drivers have correct and up-to-date licenses.

The carrier must also maintain and provide records of drug and alcohol testing for all company drivers. This includes a good faith effort to get three years of testing results from previous employers.

Operational

Recordkeeping is essential to pass a DOT compliance audit. The DOT requires six months of logs and other supporting documentation on all drivers employed during the period under investigation.

These logs show whether drivers are in compliance with regulations such as Hours of Service. The DOT will examine them for any violations, errors, or possible falsification.

Vehicle

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) registered with a carrier for at least 30 consecutive days must undergo regular inspections, necessary repairs, and maintenance. You are required to keep all documentation on the CMVs and the logs of all inspections, repairs, and maintenance.

The DOT will examine these reports during an audit. All reports must include basic information about the vehicle, including model, year, identification number, and tire size. You are required to keep these records on file for at least 12 months.

Hazardous Materials

The DOT is very strict when it comes to transporting hazardous materials at a certain level, as these materials can cause safety risks if not careful. A carrier must keep a record of any hazmat-related documentation for inspection purposes.

This documentation includes licenses, storage information, labels, and placards. You will also need to provide documentation that all drivers carrying hazmat materials have received proper training.

Accidents

Carriers must maintain a record of all driver accidents and injuries for DOT compliance audit review. These records will be checked for accuracy and used to confirm whether FMCSA regulations are met by you and your drivers.

It’s helpful to keep all records of the scene of the accident as well as any corrective action that was taken to reduce the chance of a recurrence.

The Safety Rating Scale

After the DOT compliance audit is concluded, you will receive one of three ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory.

Satisfactory Rating

A satisfactory rating means you have proper safety management controls in place to meet the safety fitness standard. Your safety management controls need to be appropriate for the size and type of operation.

Conditional Rating

A conditional rating means some part of your safety management controls are out of compliance with the safety fitness standard. This puts your company in jeopardy of fines and increased roadside inspections until you can get your company into compliance.

Unsatisfactory Rating

An unsatisfactory rating means multiple safety violations have occurred due to lack of safety controls. When carriers receive this rating, they will have their operating authority suspended. This goes into effect 15 days after the order and includes an Operation Out of Service order which keeps the carrier from operating within the U.S.

Maintaining CSA Compliance

It’s important to maintain a compliant fleet if you want to stay in operation. The best way to keep CSA violations from harming your company is an informed safety team and well-trained drivers on the road.

The Infinit-I Workforce Solutions system was designed to help you maintain safety in your trucking company. Our online training management system provides training to drivers anytime, anywhere to help them understand DOT and FMCSA regulations without disruptions to their busy schedules.

If you want to see how Infinit-I can help you reduce CSA violations and be prepared to meet all documentation needs for a DOT compliance audit, schedule a demo today.

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5 Tips for Truck Driver Fatigue Management

Truck Driver Fatigue Management

5 Tips to Manage Truck Driver Fatigue

Hauling freight is a big responsibility. Highly skilled drivers shoulder more of this responsibility as they have a 35% better miles-per-gallon performance over other drivers. Drivers of all skill levels deal with the same issue though, driver fatigue.

To combat this issue, FMCSA safety regulations limit drivers to 60 hours a week. After this period, drivers must take a rest for 34 consecutive hours before getting on the road again. Still, drivers can spend up to 11 hours on the road per day before they are required to take a significant break.

Drivers can end up with as little as four to five hours a sleep a day. Many will take naps when possible, but this is not the same as a full seven to eight hour night of rest. This may explain why driver fatigue is one of the top 10 factors in commercial vehicle accidents.

There are some steps drivers can take to reduce this issue though.

Signs of Driver Fatigue

To make the most of these steps, it’s important for drivers to be aware when fatigue is coming on. Signs of driver fatigue include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Increase in smaller mistakes
  • Excessive nodding
  • Inability to keep your eyes open
  • Changes in mood
  • Decreased alertness and ability to concentrate
  • Not refreshed by longer sleep sessions

With truck drivers moving more than 70% of the nation’s freight by weight, they provide a valuable service. To keep them and everyone else a little safer on the road, drivers should follow five tips to manage driver fatigue.

1.      Sleep Well Before Long Hauls

It is well known that fatigue affects response times, performance, and critical thinking abilities. While this is known, many drivers face high expectations and great pressure when it comes time to move freight.

Drivers need to make a point to get as much quality sleep as they can before long trips. On their days off, drivers should sleep at the same time to help their body get better rest. They also should take naps during their trip when it becomes necessary to help them refresh.

2.      Follow Hours of Service Regulations

With the pressures of moving freight on time, it can be tempting for drivers to manipulate their hours of service where they can. They have deadlines to meet, clients to please, and money to earn, and the temptation to remain on the road longer than hours of service allows is strong.

It’s important for drivers to take regular breaks and log all necessary time. Luckily electronic logs are now required to keep record of these hours, so this temptation is reduced. Drivers need to be aware of their time to plan for breaks so they keep within those regulations though.

3.      Create an Exercise Plan When Not on the Road

Just as sleep during off time is important, so is exercise. Maintaining a consistent exercise plan when the driver is not on the road can help reduce the instances of fatigue.

Exercise helps keep the mind sharp and provides more physical endurance. Even when on long trips, drivers should take advantage of break times to get a little exercise and sleep to help them remain focused.

4.      Look for Healthier Snacks

When driving long distances, it seems easier to grab a sugary snack and caffeinated drink when it’s time to eat. Sugar and caffeine do give an initial rush of energy, but they can lead to a significant slump later.

Drivers should eat well-balanced meals at consistent intervals whenever possible. This isn’t always feasible, but it helps if it happens often. Understanding the need for healthier options to keep energy up, truck stops now have a decent selection of healthier options.

5.      Maintain Medications

Everyone has had a need for medications at some point. Whether it’s an over-the-counter medication or a prescription, it’s important to take them wisely. This includes being aware of any side effects and interactions between medications taken.

Safety Training Includes Driver Health

Truck drivers have to decide to take steps to fight driver fatigue. This means safety training should include proper fatigue and health management. Well-trained drivers lead to a more profitable fleet.

Ongoing training can prove difficult with drivers regularly on the road though. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions provides an online training management system so drivers can access important safety training anywhere at their convenience. Plus, you can easily keep track of driver progress and ensure they keep important safety topics top of mind.

To learn more about how our online training system can help your fleet, request a demo of the Infinit-I Workforce system.

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