Trucking companies must follow strict safety regulations from the DOT (Department of Transportation) and the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). These regulations help keep those working in the trucking industry safe. Additionally, they protect other travelers on the road. It is incredibly important that all motor carriers follow DOT and FMCSA guidelines. Because there are so many complex regulations, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. When you work with HDS Safety Services we help you stay safe and compliant.
Here are just a few key safety tips for trucking companies to know:
Drug Testing
The FMCSA requires trucking companies to complete drug and alcohol testing under specific circumstances. You must always test potential employees for drug use before hiring them for safety-sensitive duties. This means that all new truck drivers must have negative test results confirmed before they can start driving. Alcohol testing at this stage is optional. There are also requirements for drug and alcohol testing after accidents, before a driver who failed a test returns to duty, if a supervisor has reasonable suspicion of drug use or alcohol abuse, and randomly to ensure continued compliance. HDS Safety Services can help you manage all of these different testing requirements. We operate one of the largest random drug and alcohol testing consortiums in the State of Arizona. We offer DOT-compliant testing as well as additional testing for trucking companies who wish to go above and beyond required regulations to help ensure a safe workplace.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
Hours of service regulations dictate how long a truck driver can drive, how often they must take breaks, and other requirements for time on and off duty. In the past, these needed to be tracked manually. Recent advancements in technology have resulted in electronic logging devices (ELDs) becoming the standard for tracking hours of service. In fact, the FMCSA requires the majority of commercial motor vehicles to use an ELD, with limited exceptions. We can help you stay on top of hours of service regulations through ELD auditing services. We monitor your fleet to make sure your trucking company meets FMCSA and DOT regulations. This allows us to identify potential violations before they occur, keeping you and your truck drivers safe and compliant.
DOT Compliance Training
Regular training can help trucking companies ensure that both drivers and supervisors are up-to-date when it comes to DOT and FMCSA regulations. At HDS Safety Services, we offer both online and in-person classes for your employees. These classes include:
Maintenance and Inspection Training
Truck drivers will use their own trucks to go over the steps of a proper inspection. This helps them meet DOT requirements while also minimizing risk when heading out for a long haul.
Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion
One of the times when a trucking company must perform drug or alcohol testing is when a supervisor has reasonable suspicion a safety-sensitive employee is under the influence. This class goes over the requirements for identifying and reporting reasonable suspicion.
DOT Compliance Training
This comprehensive training is intended to help supervisors develop a more successful safety program. Our trainers will go over DOT regulations and requirements and will give you helpful tips on staying compliant.
DOT and FMCSA Compliance for Trucking Companies
HDS Safety Services offers a variety of services to help motor carriers stay on top of DOT and FMCSA compliance. This not only protects you in case of an audit but also helps keep your employees and others on the road safe.
