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Monthly Archives: June 2011
Is a New CSA HazMat BASIC a few months away?
If you are a frequent reader of the Vigillo blog, you know that we are fanatics about understanding and communicating changes to the CSA methodology. Well, the word is out that a significant change to the CSA BASICs may be a few months away.
An FMCSA official mentioned the possible change in a recent presentation (details below), so this change clearly is being strongly considered. However, if you are looking for 100% iron-clad guarantees about changing CSA BASICs, read no further.
Still with me? Thought so. Here’s the scoop – In addition to the FMCSA presentation, Vigillo has heard from several knowledgeable people in the industry that there are active discussions occurring about revamping the Cargo BASIC. This revamping might go so far as to create a brand new HazMat BASIC, although other possibilities exist as well. The timing for this change could be as early as “sometime this fall.” Read more
Drivers under CSA
Since the announcement of CSA, there has been a lot of attention focused on drivers. For good reason! The whole of the CSA methodology is centered on roadside inspections and driver behaviors. There are two portions of the CSA methodology: the Carrier Safety Measurement System (CSMS) and the Driver Safety Measurement System (DSMS). Recently, there has been a lot of speculation about what the FMCSA will do with the DSMS. Here’s how it stands today!
Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
I had intended to blog today about some new data we’re compiling on how certain violations correlate to crashes. But circumstances this weekend have steered me in a different direction. I started thinking about heroes. It was Fathers Day, and my Dad is my number one hero. Likely many of us would say that about our Dads, but what about the day to day heroes that we take for granted? On what occasion do we take the time to stop and pay tribute to the teachers, firefighters, police officers, truck drivers, sports figures, and yes, even entertainers who impact our lives on a daily basis? Read more
The Best of the Best
Another great day in Packer Nation Thursday! While the NFL lockout has us football fans wondering when the season will start, a gleeful night – or blingful night took place in Green Bay WI last night.
Our Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers received their rings in a private team ceremony Thursday. While everyone can say their team is the best, Green Bay Packer Fans currently can prove it with the Super Bowl XLV Title forever ours. So for now our joy can again come to the forefront as we wait for the lockout to be settled. We celebrate as Boston joins this pinnacle of team joy as their Stanley Cup Champion Bruins hoist the Cup! Nice run!
Who are your Champions? Who are the best of the best in your world? [Some military folks come to mind… Navy Seals, Top Gun Pilots, Delta Force, Rangers…thank you all!] Read more
Welcome Pam Jones!
Three Notable Women Make Career Changes
And we aren’t speaking of Mmes. Winfrey, Vieira, and Couric. Three more notable women have also made life changing career moves with all roads leading to Vigillo. Marissa Hirt’s promotion to the inside sales role opened the door for Katie Stuvland to pick up where Marissa left off. Recently, I also joined the Vigillo Sales Team.
I have spent my professional career in the trucking regulatory arena. I was indoctrinated into trucking with fast food distribution trucking carriers and most recently supported various trucking company through my compliance assistance work at HNI. I have now joined Vigillo as the sole Vigillo contact in the east. I thank all the attendees at the recent TCA Conference in chilly Murfreesboro TN for the warm welcome.
In addition to trucking company support, I have been & will continue to be heavily involved in industry great programs like…. the WI Motor Carrier Association’s safety council and the WI Special Olympics Truck Convoy on Sept 17 (someone has to drive the car while the photographer gets that action shot while we travel up Hwy 41!).
Please be patient if the killer dogs are playing security guard in the background when we talk. I’ll do my best to contain them…. the doggy day care might have to be considered.
I can’t wait to start working together.
WMCA Safety Council: http://witruck.org/safety_programs.html
Sp Oly Convoy: http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/torch_convoy.asp
Contact Info: Pam Jones, Regional Account Manager,
630 NW 10th Ave. | Portland | Oregon | 97209
p. 855.614.8089 | f. 503.218.9004
Those Mercurial Medical Certificates
“There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter.”
I’m beginning to wonder if the subject of driver medical certificates is akin to a journey down the rabbit hole. I read yesterday in Truckinginfo.com that the FMCSA wants to extend the requirement for drivers to carry paper medical certificates to January 30, 2014.
Truckinginfo.com reports that the requirement was supposed to end in 2012 when a new reporting system is scheduled to be in place, but in a proposed rule published yesterday, the agency said it wants the requirement to stay in place until January 30, 2014. The extension would include the requirement that trucking companies keep copies of drivers’ certificates on file. Read more
It’s Not About You
Do you know that experience when someone says something, or you read something, and your whole worldview shifts? The moment before the world was one way, and then – suddenly – the world seems different.
Well, I read an essay recently that really made me take a step back and think. I wanted to share the parts that helped me take a look at the work that we do with a fresh perspective – and encourage you to read the whole article yourself. There is nothing transportation or safety specific in the article…and yet I believe this speaks to the core of what motivates transportation safety professionals. Day in and day out. Read more
Top 5 Ways Your MCS-150 May Be Hurting Your CSA Score
There are not many “gimmes” in life. I think I have one for you.
For anyone unclear on the concept: In golf, a gimme is a shot that the other players agree can count automatically without actually being played. In other words – get a benefit from hardly any work on your part. Sound good? In the world of transportation safety, improving your carrier’s CSA score by submitting a new MCS-150 form qualifies as a gimme.
Let’s look at five ways you may be able to improve your CSA scores by voluntarily submitting a new MCS-150 form. Read more