Encore!
We’re honored that the Devine News has requested to reprint the blog we posted yesterday to EagleFordShale.com about how to get a commercial driver’s license. We hope this will help lots of potential new drivers to get a CDL and a great job in the oilfield.
Driving jobs in the oilfield
We’re now official guest contributors to the blog at EagleFordShale.com. Check out our first post http://www.eaglefordshale.com/blog/get-a-cdl-in-10-easy-steps-start-a-career-in-the-eagle-ford-oilfield/ and all the resources at this site.
Hazardous tissue holders
Here’s a “haz mat” story that is of interest not only to people in the cargo transport industry, but also to consumers in general. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration PHMSA has been notified that Bed Bath and Beyond sold a number of tissue holders in the United States, identified as the Dual Ridge Metal tissue holder, model number DR9M, that emit low levels of radiation. PHMSA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission believe that there is no immediate danger to the public; however, PHMSA is advising persons in possession of the contaminated tissue holders that they should arrange with Bed Bath and Beyond for their safe return. Any person in possession of this item should call Bed Bath and Beyond at 1-(800) 462-3966 to obtain information about the proper return procedures.
New HOS
Looks like the latest final rule for new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations on hours of service may stick. Landline Magazine reports that parties in the most recent lawsuit challenging the regulation have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit. However, that doesn’t mean that a new lawsuit won’t be filed, and it might. Numerous parties are still not happy with the 11th hour of driving.
Hours of service
The anticipated final rule on the hours of service has been published in the Federal Register. Read all about it here.
Cell phone ban update
The Federal Motor Ccarrier Safety Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration are amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking will improve safety on the Nation’s highways by reducing the prevalence of distracted driving-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving drivers of CMVs. The Agencies also amend their regulations to implement new driver disqualification sanctions for drivers of CMVs who fail to comply with this Federal restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones. This rule is effective Jan. 3, 2012. For details, go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for the terms “FMCSA-2010-0096” or “PHMSA-2010-0227.”
HOS news
The final hours-of-service regulation is currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget. Landlinemag.com reports that in a Nov. 28 court filing, the agency states that it expects to issue the final rule within the next 30 days. The proposed HOS regs were released on Dec. 23, 2010.
Put down that phone!
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving…click here for details.
CSA
The American Transportation Research Institute has released a report on the impacts of CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) on the daily operations of motor carriers. Download it here. And be sure to view the presentation on CSA offered by David Saunders of Compliance Safety Systems. Find the link in our Nov. 16 post about the recent NAPFTDS regional conference.
Lots learned at NAPFTDS Regional conference
The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools Regional Conference, held Nov. 10th and 11th at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, was well worth attending. All the presenters brought valuable information to share, from advice on contract training and industry partnerships to regulatory and funding issues for truck driver training, to commercial vehicle crime prevention. For example, check out American Association of Motor Vehicles’ Kevin Lewis’s presentation on DOT testing regulations DOT Testing Regulations and Compliance Safety Systems’ David Saunders’s presentation on CSA. For more information about NAPFTDS, visit the Web site at www.napftds.org.
