Proactive Trucking Safety
Safety Audit
Are you nervous about a Safety Audit?
Do you know what it is?
A Safety Audit is for companies who are new or who have changed from intrastate (trucking within the state they are registered in) to interstate (trucking outside of their registered state). An interstate DOT number requires an MC (Motor Carrier) number. When you receive a MC number it triggers a Safety Audit. This Safety Audit is typically to be completed within 18 months of registration of a new interstate carrier. The Safety Audit is usually a non-punitive process. FMCSA uses it as a teaching tool to help new companies operate safely and understand the regulations. However, if you have decided to run interstate you should have already studied the regulations and become familar with what is expected. If not the following may be of interest to you;
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=385.321(b)
With the implementation of CSA 2010 there are a lot of companies jumping on the bandwagon to scare you into buying their products. Do be taken in. Some are good, some are not. If you don't understand CSA 2010 don't buy anything until you. Beleive it or not FMCSA is not coming to shut you down unless you are a carrier who ignores the regulations and is operating unsafe. You don't have to be perfect, but you do have to be trying.
What typically happens is a company gets a letter or a phone call and they panic. There are plenty of consultants that you can call and they will gladly take your money. The problem, if you are out of compliance, you are out of compliance and no amount of consultant fee is going to save you. So what's the solution if you receive a letter and not sure where you stand? Well, don't go back and make up documents. Don't back date documents. It is what it is. Are you purposely running just to make money safe or not? Then you deserve to be shut down. If you are running and trying to be safe then say so. It is your responsiblity as a company to know the regulations. You may struggle with some of them but there is a solution. Open your mind, listen to what you are told by the inspector, ask for help, listen, ask questions and improve.
Pre-employment Screening Program - A good idea
The preemployment screening program is a great tool to use before you hire a driver. I use this report to compare against a driver's application to make sure he/she has documented the companies listed on the PSP. Not all previous employers will be listed however chances are if the driver was terminated for a DOT reportable accident or numerous violations he/she will not list them on the application. A recent experience with an applicant proved this report to be valuable. The applicant stated on his application that he had not worked since 2005. I pulled the report after obtaining his written consent and found numerous violations in after 2005. Three different companies were listed that he worked for. I contacted the driver and all he said was that sounds right. He offered no explanation why he didn't list them on his application.
Another way I use the report is to look up the previous employer. I do this to see if the applicant was careless in his inspection procedures or if the company just didn't care about safety. If the applicant is the only driver with violations chances are it was the driver. If other drivers also have violaitons I begin to wonder if it is the company or the driver.
The report gives 5 years of accident history and 3 years of violation history and is available instantly once ordered.
Some things to remember;
1. You must have the consent signed before you pull the report.
2. You can only pull the report pre-employment. I haven't seen a definition of pre-employment but have asked.
3. You must give the driver a copy of the PSP report if you do not hire based on the information along with the contact information of PSP.
4. You can not pull current drivers. I don't know why you would want to. If they have been with you any length of time you already know their history.
5. It does not include citations. It would be great if all the states could get their act together to make this happen. I'll put it on my wish list.
Another way I use the report is to look up the previous employer. I do this to see if the applicant was careless in his inspection procedures or if the company just didn't care about safety. If the applicant is the only driver with violations chances are it was the driver. If other drivers also have violaitons I begin to wonder if it is the company or the driver.
The report gives 5 years of accident history and 3 years of violation history and is available instantly once ordered.
Some things to remember;
1. You must have the consent signed before you pull the report.
2. You can only pull the report pre-employment. I haven't seen a definition of pre-employment but have asked.
3. You must give the driver a copy of the PSP report if you do not hire based on the information along with the contact information of PSP.
4. You can not pull current drivers. I don't know why you would want to. If they have been with you any length of time you already know their history.
5. It does not include citations. It would be great if all the states could get their act together to make this happen. I'll put it on my wish list.