J Charles &Co. transportation consulting and risk management

08/29/2024

My entry for Brake Safety week.

While conducting a roadside inspection for a client, during the initial walk around of the vehicle my eyes were drawn to a gap between the brake drum and lining of one wheel. During conversation with the driver 1 asked if his trailer brakes were set and he replied that they were not. I asked him to apply the service brake, while I watched. 1 could not discern any movement towards the drum by the lining, I then took a piece of paper and folded it up, placed it between the drum and lining and instructed the driver to once again fully apply the service brake pedal. With the brakes fully applied I was able to freely move the paper from one end of the lining to the other. The gap on the top shoe was even wider.
Thorough pre trip inspections are imperative as are getting those defects found repaired prior to starting your shift. This violation was found by simply walking around the vehicle and paying attention to something that looked out of the ordinary.

06/05/2024

A great read. And carriers should take care not to.put themselves in a situation such as this.

A federal judge sided with a truck driver who was fired in 2020 after refusing to violate Hours of Service regulations, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

02/21/2024

Vetting carriers.

How many shippers vet the carriers they use, whether it is a full mock audit and work up for a carrier you intend to use on a long term basis, or a simple risk assessment for a one time cargo shipment. If you as an entity are hiring a trucking company to move product that belongs to you, you owe it to your peace of mind and liability mitigation to have an understanding of your chosen carrier's safety profile.

recently. while conducting a roadside inspection for a client I encountered a Commercial vehcile with multiple relatively small violations. while compiling the report a quick perusal. of the carriers SAFER data revealed that he had a pending application for common carrier authority but the company's Operating status clearly said not authorized. Since I always like to plan for worst case scenarios as much as possible. Let's imagine your company sub contracts out work hauling the product you produce. let's imagine that carrier, while loaded with your product has a catastrophic incident. Are you prepared to bet your company's future on a civil attorney not digging into your files and contract management program? in today's age of nuclear verdicts and settlements are you comfortable in that situation?

02/06/2024

When I first saw the title I admit I had a whole lot of reservations ranging from. WtF are the feds thinking to this is just dumb. However after watching the included video I am genuinely interested in seeing this system for myself.

I encourage you folks to watch it

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approved a petition that will allow motor carriers to operate with certain video camera technology in place of rear-view mirrors.

02/02/2024

I'm torn on this subject. While I think the thought process is in the right place, I tend to agree with the folks who left comments. And I have to wonder if the resurgence in the planned final rule has anything to do with any money from the device manufacturers lobby pushing the agenda?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) signaled that it will move forward with a CMV speed limiter mandate this spring.

01/31/2024

An excellent webinar

Chlorine, oxygen and propane are three commonly shipped Division 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 gases. Learn more about these gases and the bulk and non-bulk packaging used to ship them by attending our Thursday, Feb. 1, webinar. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EX44TIPdTIivm6Vj4Z2Nrw #/registration

07/07/2023

I tend to agree with this ruling. A driver can only be in any kind of on duty status for 14 hours before needing the ten our break ,(however it's split). I don't see a 5 and 5 split as offering any benefit over the current options, but then I know how to manage my time and never had a problem with the 10 hour straight requirement.

Hundreds of comments in support were not enough for the FMCSA to grant a trucker’s request for additional split-sleeper berth options.

06/27/2023

The more you know! I've said before that the Feds intend to step up safety and compliance reviews.

Whether you hire my company, or someone else. It will absolutely benefit you to have a SME come in and review your data and help you create a resolution plan

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-on-site-audits-are-surging-back-in-2023