Preventing Driver Injuries This Fall and Winter

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are the most common types of injuries for drivers, particularly during the winter months. Each year, thousands of professional drivers are seriously injured due to a lack of attention in winter conditions. Working in ice and snow requires your full attention and awareness

• Remember, our primary goal is for you to go home to your family and friends the way you came to work today: safe and healthy 
• Always wear proper footwear. Choose full-support leather shoes with a rugged non-slip sole, and consider using non-slip covers (e.g. Yak Trax) on your shoes. 
• Slow Down; Never be in a hurry. 
• Always watch where you walk. Snow can accumulate on top of ice in and around truck parking areas. 
• Take small steps and check your footing with each step. 
• Look for ice on all handrails and hand grips before using them. 
• ALWAYS use gloves for better grip. 
• ALWAYS use three points of contact when exiting or entering your tractor or trailer, or when getting on the catwalk behind the cab. 
• Always use your seatbelt. 
• SLOW DOWN! 
• Slow down in winter! 

We are now in fall, and it’s time to start preparing your operation for the cold weather ahead. Your drivers should be aware of what is required to keep their trucks running during the winter months.

Fuel additives to prevent jelling should be added anytime the ambient temperature is below 32°F. Power Service and Penray are popular manufacturers of fuel additives, and both companies have two different products available through Navistar and Idealease locations.

Power Service:

• The "Red Bottle" is Power Service 911 and should be used ONLY when the fuel in a unit has jelled.
  
  
• Power Service 911 is NOT to be used as a regular fuel additive to prevent jelling.
• Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane (the White Bottle) should be added to the fuel at each fill when the ambient temperature is below 30 degrees. 

Penray:

Winter Thaw Emergency Diesel Fuel Supplement
This supplement dissolves already gelled fuel quickly and reduces clogging of fuel filters. It prevents ice crystal buildup in fuel lines and filters by dispersing moisture. Additionally, it eliminates hard starting, reduces pounding and excessive smoking, and helps improve combustion. It is 100% compatible with low-sulfur fuel and fuel blends.

Winter Pow-R Plus Diesel Fuel Supplement

• ULSD compliant
• Prevents gelling of diesel fuel
• Prevents ice crystal formation
• Reduces cold filter plugging point by as much as 30°F
• Enhances cetane
• Improves fuel economy
• Utilizes HAFI® technology
• Improves cold weather starting
• Stabilizes and prevents corrosion
• Helps reduce emissions
• Improves lubricity

Time to Fall Back...Daylight Savings Time Change in Two Weeks!

Daylight saving time will "fall back" at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3rd.

Make sure all your drivers are aware of this change. Caution route drivers that the amount of daylight will change based on their stops. An intersection or street can present different challenges to drivers due to the one-hour change in the position of the sun. This hour difference can create unique challenges for a driver on a route.

Got Chains? 

If you are operating in a state that requires chains to be on board, ensure that the chains are the correct size, properly secured, clean, and not broken, so they can be easily applied when necessary.

If you’re unsure about your state’s chain laws, visit:
http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/laws.html

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will begin downgrading CDL drivers who have a drug or alcohol violation in the system starting November 18, 2024. The Clearinghouse-II rule requires State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to remove the commercial driving privileges of drivers in a “prohibited” status in the Clearinghouse, resulting in a downgrade of the CDL until the driver completes the return-to-duty process.

Clearinghouse-II also requires the following:

• SDLAs must query the Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring CDLs, as well as when issuing, renewing, and upgrading Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs).
• SDLAs must review a driver’s information when notified by FMCSA of a driver’s Clearinghouse status change.
• SDLAs with legislative authority already have the option to voluntarily query the Clearinghouse and downgrade CDLs for prohibited drivers, and may do so before the November 18, 2024, compliance date.
  
  

Currently, there are 177,000 CDL drivers with a prohibited driving status due to failing drug tests and who have not completed a federal return-to-work process. The automatic downgrading of CDLs due to drug or alcohol violations will make it even more difficult for companies to attract and retain qualified commercial drivers.

The Governor of Florida has issued an Emergency Declaration for Tropical Storm Milton, now classified as Hurricane Milton. In regard to motor carriers providing emergency relief, the declaration authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to:

• Suspend enforcement of the registration requirements pursuant to sections 316.545(4) and 320.0715, Florida Statutes, for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that enter Florida to provide emergency services or supplies, transport emergency equipment, supplies, or personnel, or transport FEMA mobile homes or office-style mobile homes into or from Florida.
• Waive the hours-of-service requirements for such vehicles.
• Suspend enforcement of the licensing and registration requirements under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) pursuant to chapter 207, Florida Statutes, and the International Registration Plan (IRP) pursuant to section 320.0715, Florida Statutes, for motor carriers or drivers operating CMVs that are properly registered in other jurisdictions and are participating in emergency relief efforts through the transportation of equipment and supplies or providing other assistance in the form of emergency services.
• Waive fees for duplicate or replacement vessel registration certificates, vessel title certificates, vehicle license plates, vehicle registration certificates, vehicle tag certificates, vehicle title certificates, handicapped parking permits, replacement drivers’ licenses, and replacement identification cards, as well as the additional fees for late renewal or applications for such licenses, certificates, and documents due to adverse weather conditions.
• Defer administrative actions and waive fees imposed by law for the late renewal or application for the above licenses, certificates, and documents, which were delayed due to the effects of adverse weather conditions.

The emergency declaration is in effect for 60 days, through December 4, 2024.