Stay in the Know!
February 27, 2012 Interstate Commercial Vehicle CDL Driver Updates
Effective January 3, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has declared a final rule prohibiting commercial drivers required to hold a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and who drive commercial vehicles across state lines from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000. Approximately four million commercial drivers are affected by this final rule. Pennsylvania does not have an intrastate rule yet but it appears it may by March, 2012.
- A new rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises hours-of-service requirements for commercial truck drivers required to hold a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and who drive commercial vehicles across state lines. The Hours of Service of Drivers Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2011. The effective date of the Final Rule is February 27, 2012, and the compliance date of selected provisions is July 1, 2013.
- The rule reduces by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week. Under the old rule, drivers could work on average up to 82 hours within a 7-day period. That has been reduced to 70 hours.
- Also, truckers cannot drive after working 8 hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. They can take that break whenever they need rest during the 8-hour period. Drivers who maximize their weekly work hours are now required to take at least two nights’ rest from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- The final rule retains the current 11-hour daily driving limit. FMCSA says it will continue to conduct data analysis and research to further examine any risks associated with the 11-hour limit.
February 16, 2012
Fall Protection is the #1 OSHA Workplace Violation for 2011
February 6, 2012 FMCSA/DOT Updates
- Effective January 3, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has declared a final rule prohibiting commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000. Approximately four million commercial drivers are affected by this final rule.
- A new rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises hours-of-service requirements for commercial truck drivers. The Hours of Service of Drivers Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2011. The effective date of the Final Rule is February 27, 2012, and the compliance date of selected provisions is July 1, 2013. The rule reduces by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week. Under the old rule, drivers could work on average up to 82 hours within a 7-day period. That has been reduced to 70 hours.
- Certain Driver Record Checks must be performed before an employee may be issued a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). For those employees seeking a to renew, transfer or upgrade a hazardous materials endorsement to their CDL, a Criminal Background Check is required by the Transportation Security Administration and the USA Patriot Act of 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions – HAZMAT Endorsement Threat Assessment Program
Jan. 17, 2012
Jan. 2012 OSHA Update: OSHA 300A Forms
(summary of workplace related injuries and illnesses)
must be posted from 2/1/12 to 4/30/2012.
For details & PDF forms: http://www.miainc.com/OSHAForms
Interested in reading more? Visit our Commercial Insurance Blog.
Questions or concerns about your policies or lines of coverage?
Please contact the Commercial Team or Employee Benefits Team directly,
or give our office a call at (610) 269-4500.