volume 1 number 11 june 2013 - trucking workers...

June 2013 Volume 1 Number 11

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/index.htm

Trish Neal, Editor

Trucking by Design

541-404-0724 Cell /Text

888-269-8775 Fax

Call, Text, or Email!

[email protected]

New HOS in effect July 1, 2013 1

Driver was “Crowded Over” 2

Check Your Own Fluids 4

Justice for Truckers 5

Minimum Levels of Insurance Not Overlooked Now 6

Today in Transportation 7

Nightmare for Drivers 8

Driving the road to better health 9

News Roundup 10-12

My Tru ck New s`

The NTSB recently released a preliminary report on the Wash-

ington I-5 bridge collapse investigation. In the report, the NTSB

confirms what many have suspected; the NTSB report claims

another truck may have “crowded over” the driver whose over-

sized load struck the bridge, causing it to collapse.

Last week, investigators announced they were hoping to speak

with a driver who was on the bridge just before collapse. They

said they were looking for a truck with a white trailer that may

have sustained some damage in the incident.

“It appears that when the oversize load struck the bridge it

shifted to the left and struck something to the left,” Trooper

Mark Francis said.

Investigators said they did not believe the second truck was re-

sponsible for the collapse.

The report just released from the NTSB details what investiga-

tors believe may have caused the accident.

“Immediately prior to the collapse, a 2010 Kenworth truck-

tractor in combination with a 1997 Aspen flatbed trailer loaded

with a casing shed (oversize load) was following a pilot vehicle

traveling southbound on Interstate 5. According to witnesses, as

both vehicles approached the bridge, another southbound truck-

tractor in combination with a semitrailer overtook and passed

the oversize load in the left lane.

“The driver of the oversize load reported to investigators that he

felt ‘crowded’ by the passing combination vehicle so he moved

Read the full report here:

About 7:00 p.m. Pacific daylight time (PDT) on Thursday, May

23, 2013, a span of the Interstate 5 Bridge (Structure 4794A) at

milepost 228.25 in Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Washington,

collapsed into the Skagit River, along with two passenger vehi-

cles. The bridge, constructed in 1955, had four concrete approach

spans on the north and south ends and four 160-foot-long steel

through-truss spans over the river. The over-water truss spans

were non-load-path-redundant, and certain members of the truss

Feds: I-5 Bridge Collapse Driver Was ‘Crowded Over’ By Passing Truck

Photo Credit: NTSB

his vehicle to the right. As the oversize load was being trans-

ported across the bridge, the top of the load collided with the

overhead portal and multiple sway braces on the far right side of

the truss structure,” the report states.

Continued on page 6

DOWNLOAD FROM HERE: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/hos/HOS-Regulations-7-1-2013.pdf

VISOR CARD

My Tru ck New s`

Editor’s Note: We welcome Truck Driver and Author, Sandy

Long to My Truck News this month! Look for articles by Sandy

in the coming months!

By Sandy Long

Truck drivers are often seen with large thermos of coffee and

carrying cases of soda pop. We even have our own names for

coffee, a cup of 40 weight or a cup of

joe. Truck stop wait staff almost al-

ways assume that a driver will order

coffee and arrive at the table with cof-

fee pot in hand. Caffeine and energy

drinks fuel us as surely as diesel fuels

our trucks, but is all of that really good

for us. Perhaps wrongly, many of us

do not drink too much water thinking

that we will have to stop too often and

think we need the caffeine to function.

The human body consists of about 80% of our bodies at birth

and about 70% as adults. Human brains consist of 75% water as

do muscles. Blood is made up of 90% water. 75% of humans

are chronically dehydrated.

Dehydration can cause many illnesses and have many effects on

the body. Even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabo-

lism as 3%. It can cause hunger pains, and fatigue as well as

increased risks of colon, bladder and breast cancers. A mere 2%

drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble

with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen

or on a printed page.

We gain water from both food and drinks, though caffeine in a

drink such as coffee or soda pop actually dehydrates us. It is

recommended that humans consume about 91 ounces of water a

day. Though that sounds like a lot of water, about 20% comes

from the food we eat.

Here are some other interesting facts about hydration:

Even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%

and One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs

for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Wash-

ington study.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day

Checking Your Own Fluids

could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of

sufferers.

A person can live about a month without food, but only about a

week without water. If a human does not absorb enough water

dehydration is the result.

A healthy person can drink about three gallons (48 cups) of wa-

ter per day.

By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1

percent of its total water amount.

The weight a person loses directly after intense physical activity

is weight from water, not fat.

Drinking too much water too quickly can lead to water intoxica-

tion. Water intoxication occurs when water dilutes the sodium

level in the bloodstream and causes an imbalance of water in the

brain.

Dehydration occurs most

often in the morning and

can cause cardio-

vascular problems such

as heart attack and

stroke.

Though truckers other

than flatbedders, cattle

haulers and delivery

drivers do not do a lot of

physical activity through

their work days, mental stress is affected adversely by a lack of

water in our bodies. The drivers that do hard physical work lose

a lot of water especially during the warm months, or if they wear

protective clothing that can lead to heat stroke.

Having that caffeine drink to get you jump started might be a

good thing when starting your shift, but do not forget to have

your 8-10 glasses or bottles of water throughout the day too. It

cannot hurt and sure could help you do your job better and per-

haps even live your life longer. Yes, you may have to stop a

time or two more a day, but isn’t it worth it if you feel better

overall. Who knows, we might have discovered the cure for the

so- called problem of driver fatigue…just have a big glass of

water!

Receiver To Pay $2.2 Million

To Injured Trucker

All too often, the stores or warehouses that are receiving goods are ill-equipped to deal with the freight that is com-ing in. Sometimes that’s a problem for lumpers, but often

it’s a problem for drivers. This was the case for Gregory Baird on Black Friday in 2007 when he was making a delivery to a Dollar General store in Troy, MO.

According to the complaint filed by Baird, the back of the store did not have enough light to safely unload his cargo. When he

sought out a manager to see if he could be provided with another light source, he was told that there wasn’t one avail-able. He then returned to his truck and attempted to call his dispatcher. During the call, an employee of the store cut the security seal on the trailer, which forced Baird to unload the freight right then because of company policy. “Essentially what happened is my guy was a newlywed, 33 years old, just got a job with Hogan Transportation,” said Baird’s lawyer in a phone interview with Land Line. “He was worried if he didn’t unload the cargo, he’d lose his job.”

Apparently, when the trailer had been packed, the tops of the plastic cargo containers had been covered with unspeci-fied paper products, which in turn were topped by at least one box of eight half-gallon containers of liquid, weighing approximately 38lbs.

Because it was so dark, when Baird went to unload the pa-per products, he did not see the containers of liquid. As he moved the cargo, they fell on his head, knocking him un-conscious. There was no one around to see him, so he lay

JOIN US AT JUSTICE FOR TRUCKERS

www.causes.com/justicefortruckers

Volume 1 Number 11

on the floor “for an unknown amount of time until he regained consciousness.”

Since the accident happened as a result of the unsafe environ-ment at the store, a federal jury awarded Baird $2.2 million dol-lars to be paid by the receiver, Dollar General. In fact, the origi-nal verdict had been to award Baird $4.6 million and his wife an additional $250,000, but the jury decided that Baird was 52% responsible for what had happened, and so reduced the fine by that amount.

There is very little a driver can do if he is placed in this sort of situation, and even the carrier can’t do much when the security seal has been broken, so the onus falls on the receiver to make sure that they provide safe working conditions. It’s a very posi-tive sign that a federal court has taken such a clear stand. Let’s just hope that receivers nationwide get the message.

Carrier ruins DAC report for Driver!

This morning I received a call from a lady who had lost her job and not been able to get another because the company she had worked for posted false information on her about three supposed crashes. She had hired a labor attorney to sue the company but that is not helping her with getting a job.

I explained to her that unless you have a transportation attorney-you would be at a disadvantage. Her problem with the accidents I solved with very little. This is a case where her PSP score and the carriers SMS scores will help her prove her case to DAC and to a judge.

Under CSA there is no accident unless a vehicle is towed away. Then the information is posted on both the PSP and SMS re-ports. She can use this information to have DAC remove the information and then sue the company.

My T ruck News`

Contributed by:

Wes Curtis

Commercial Truck Consulting LLC

541-761-8619

www.truckcompliance.com

One requirement that may be overlooked by motor carriers from a business and planning viewpoint is the amount of insur-ance coverage, or financial responsibility, that must be main-tained by the motor carrier. This form of risk management is required of all companies who oper-ate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) both under and over 10,001 pounds. In this case, public liability is the focus and not cargo, worker’s comp, health, or any other form of insurance. Public liability is de-signed to protect the public from a loss, not the carrier. Part 387 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations de-scribes the minimum levels of financial responsibility for mo-tor carriers. For-hire motor carriers, in interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, who transport property that is nonhaz-ardous, must carry a minimum of $750,000 of financial re-sponsibility. It is very important to note that carriers who transport different types of hazardous materials must maintain different levels of insurance coverage. These minimum levels of coverage can be either $1,000,000 or $5,000,000, depending on the commodity being transported and the type of vehicle used. Currently, a study is being conducted by a group of trucking companies to determine if the federal insurance requirement for the industry is too low. The FMCSA is also completing its own evaluation for minimum insurance requirements and expects to have it completed in the next few months. The regulation, §387.9, applies to private and for-hire carriers, intrastate or interstate commerce including foreign commerce, and can also affect vehicles transporting materials of trade. While materials of trade may be smaller in quantity than a flammable shipment being transported in a portable tank, they are nonetheless still a hazardous material. The same applies to any material transported under exceptions, including limited quantities, found in the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The point to be made here is that all motor carriers should re-view their insurance coverage along with the commodities they transport to make sure they are in compliance with this regula-tion. Failure to meet these minimum levels of financial respon-sibility can result in a fine of up to $16,000 from the FMCSA.

were considered fracture critical. The collapsed span, located on

the north end of the truss portion of the bridge, consisted of two

northbound and two southbound traffic lanes divided by a con-

crete barrier.

Immediately prior to the collapse, a 2010 Kenworth truck-tractor

in combination with a 1997 Aspen flatbed trailer loaded with a

casing shed (oversize load) was following a pilot vehicle travel-

ing southbound on Interstate 5. According to witnesses, as both

vehicles approached the bridge, another southbound truck-

tractor in combination with a semitrailer overtook and passed

the oversize load in the left lane. The driver of the oversize load

reported to investigators that he felt “crowded” by the passing

combination vehicle so he moved his vehicle to the right. As the

oversize load was being transported across the bridge, the top of

the load collided with the overhead portal and multiple sway

braces on the far right side of the truss structure. The impacts

caused significant damage to load-bearing members of the

bridge’s superstructure, resulting in the failure and subsequent

collapse of the northernmost bridge span. During the post-

collision investigation, the driver reported to investigators that

he thought the height of the oversize load was 15 feet 9 inches.

The lowest portion of the sway braces, as measured over the

active portion of the roadway, was determined to be 14 feet 8

inches. According to the operator of the pilot vehicle, the clear-

ance pole mounted on the front of her vehicle was set at 16 feet

2 inches.

Two passenger vehicles—a southbound 2010 Dodge Ram

pickup truck towing a 2009 Jayco camper trailer and a

northbound 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek—were on the bridge

span at the time of the collapse. The vehicles and the damaged

span fell into the river. The three vehicle occupants were later

rescued from the water. In addition to the span that collapsed, at

least one adjacent span was found to have impact damage from

the oversize load. The motorists on the collapsed span received

injuries of varying degrees; no fatalities resulted from the col-

lapse.

Read more at http://cdllife.com/2013/top-trucking-news/feds-i-5-

bridge-collapse-driver-was-crowded-over-by-passing-truck/

#uZBwGz1bIXax8AAi.99

Continued from page 2

Minimum Levels of Insurance Overlooked in the Past are Looked Over Now

For motor carriers who want to expand their business and offer more services to their customers, this needs to be a matter of great consideration, just as it is for carriers currently competing in this market and for carriers who occasionally transport haz-ardous materials.

Source: jjkeller

Volume 1 Number 11

https://www.facebook.com/CanBorder

Today in Transportation History: June 4, 1963

Six-year-old Robert Patch made both transportation history and playtime history when he received a U.S. patent (No. 3,091,888) for a toy truck that he had designed. That toy, as outlined in his drawings for his idea, could easily be taken apart and put back together by just about any kid. In addition, it was possible to separate the toy into a chassis, driver’s cab, truck body, wheels, and four axles in such a way that it could be formed to resemble different types of vehicles -- a closed van body, for example, or a dump truck. Robert Patch was actually only five years old when he submitted his patent application for that toy truck almost a year earlier on June 11, 1962. His idea has since become the template for many toy trucks that have been manufactured and sold over the past half-century.

http://www.tripcheck.com

Investigation Needed! Allan Nightrunner

Please ask congress to have the FMCSA and or the NHTSA to start an investigation into the problem and design of the Air Foot Control Valve or called the Treadle Valve.The Treadle Valve has been known to malfunction in semi trucks, buses and RV’s. This will and can cause an accident without warning, leaving many victims in its path. The Treadle Valve and Plunger can cause:

1. The Treadle Valve or plunger to stop or stick in the up posi-tion, if this happens the driver has no breaks to stop.

2. The Treadle Valve or plunger to stop or stick in the center position which can happen without the drivers knowledge. This could happen without applying the brake lights. In which this could cause break drag which can cause the breaks to get hot and or catch on fire. This has been known to catch vehicles on fire.

3. The Treadle Valve or plunger can stop or stick in the down position. This can or will cause the vehicle to go into a skid or jackknife which could cause the driver to lose control that could then cause an accident.

The Treadle Valve or plunger has had bulletins and recalls since the 1970’s leading up to 2012. The recalls are in different makes and models of Buses, Semi’s, and RV’S. According to the NHTSA there were nearly 3,500 fatalities resulting from accidents that involved a large truck in the United Sates in 2009. That does not include Buses or RV’S.

The Treadle Valve problem is happening more today than in the past years.

WHAT IS A PERSON’S LIFE WORTH?

Please Sign the Petition at this site and Share with others:

http://www.change.org/petitions/air-brake-problems-that-causing-

accidents

ATRI — Compendium of Idling Regulations—

Cab Card — Handy to have in the truck!

http://www.atri-online.org/research/idling/

ATRI_Idling_Cab_Card.pdf

www.facebook.com/FMCSA

Send your Name, email address, and

phone number to: [email protected] You may also Text your information to 541-404-0724

www.MyTruckNews.com

Your information is safe with us.

Free Su

bscription!

My T ruck News`

Our goal is to help Commercial Drivers and their Carriers keep abreast of everything that is coming at them so they might protect themselves from laws that seem to change every day. 1. Truckers for Highway Safety. 2. Controlling traffic violation point is-sues. 3. Filing DataQ Claims. 4. Truckers with incorrect info on DAC report. 5. Problems with the DOT over sleep apnea. Justice for Truckers on Facebook Assisting Truckers

Visiting Your Doctor Even if you are feeling healthy, you should visit your doctor annually. These visits help doctors to screen for diseases, assess

your risk factors for future medical problems, and provide tips for continued wellness.

Make the Most of Your Doctor Visits When you visit your doctor, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)provides tips for making the most of your doctor visits. AHRQ notes that for you and your doctor to become partners in improving your healthcare, you should:

Give information. Don’t wait to be asked. No one knows your body better than you. Even if you are uncomfortable discussing your health concerns, provide your doctor with a complete health history. Your doctor is there to help you.

Get information. Ask questions and make sure that you understand what the doctor tells you. It may help to write down questions and answers for future reference. If you don’t understand, continue to ask for clarification. You can even ask the doctor to draw a picture.

Take information home. Ask for written instructions and any brochures the doctor may have.

Follow-up. If you have questions, call the doctor. Also, if you’re problems get worse or you have problems with your medicine, call. Follow-up to get test results or additional appointments.

MORE TIPS ON HEALTHY EATING ON THE ROAD AT: http://www.drivinghealthy.org/

Volume 1 Number 11

My T ruck News`

Driving Healthy @DrivingHealthy

Upset stomach: Use your index & middle fin-

gers to press down on the groove b/w the ten-

dons that run from base of your palm to your

wrist.

Need a short workout to fit into your busy day? Check out this body-weight workout. It's only 4

minutes! (Video) http://ow.ly/mc4zf

First aid is part of planning for an emergency. Learn what other actions can keep you safe in emergencies: http://1.usa.gov/ljDwLh

Is this good for me or not? End the confusion and learn how to make the most of the food nutrition label information: http://ow.ly/mc2hn

Stretching should be gentle and controlled - not painful. Breathe deeply when you hold your stretch. #NSM2013

Having trouble trying to figure out healthy alternatives at fast food restaurants? Check out this helpful app: http://ow.ly/mc1Uc

Skin cancer is preventable. Remember to seek shade, cover up, and wear sunscreen. http://ow.ly/mc1Co #SPOTSkinCancer

MORE TIPS ON HEALTHY EATING ON THE ROAD AT: http://www.drivinghealthy.org/

My T ruck News`

http://sandylongsfaire.weebly.com/sandys-books.html

Books by

Sandy Long

CMV drivers, check out the HOS logbook examples for the new rule that takes effect in

July. http://1.usa.gov/XSVVJS

New HOS Rules

Take Effect in July

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra-

tion is issuing warnings to drivers and others in the commercial driving and transportation

industries to be on the lookout for bogus li-cense plates and CDLs bearing a DOT en-

dorsement.

HOS Visor Card for Truck Drivers News Release (July 1, 2013) Question and Answers Interstate Truck Driver's Guide to Hours of Service(PDF) Logbook Examples (PDF) HOS Regulations - Part 395 Final Rule (PDF) Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF) Appendices A-E (PDF) Environmental Assessment (PDF) Appendices A-E (PDF) Petitions for Reconsideration and Replies (PDF)

Download HOS Reference Materials

DETAILS AND COMPARISON HERE: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/index.htm

volume 1 number 11 june 2013 - trucking workers...

Documents