Author: Michael Dodd

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly bulletin sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section. Everyone operating Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) (power units only) in interstate commerce must register and pay a fee based on the number of CMVs operated in interstate commerce. Vehicles used solely in intrastate commerce are exempted from the registration and fees. Please remember that you only pay for the powered commercial motor vehicles, not trailers. Definition of Interstate Commerce Interstate commerce is the general term…

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly bulletin sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section. DOT website New Requirements for Entry-Level Driver Training—Information Available at https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/ Final Rule Mandated by Congress, final rule issued in 2016 on driver training curriculum for entry-level CDL drivers; applicants for Class A or B CDL, or hazmat endorsements, required to complete knowledge and behind-the-wheel training from an instructor under FMCSA standards; training entities will self-certify compliance. List of certified training entities will be listed…

What are the things that I need to do to hire a driver? How fast can I put a new driver on the road? What items do I need to have in my hands before letting a driver go out on the road? What should I look for on the motor violation records when deciding to hire a driver? What minimums should I have for hiring a driver? These are some of the questions that I get when someone is trying to put on a new driver. The following guidance assumes that you want a driver for loads requiring placards.…

Here are what the bullets stand for: =  Hanging File Folders (retention period)   = Manila File Folders (retention period) Here are the files and the suggested tab titles: DOT Filing System Table of Contents (place this sheet in the file) MCS-150 (current information) MCS-90 (current) Hazmat Registration (3 years) Unified Carrier Registration (only if CMVs in interstate commerce) (3 years) List of Drivers (current) List of Commercial Motor Vehicles (current) Accident Register Accident Register (3-year retention) Accident Register and Accident Report Forms (blank forms) DOT Accidents (place actual DOT accidents into separate manila folders) Company Policy regarding Alcohol &…

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly newsletter sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section. This month’s bulletin is to remind people of the hot months of summer and the problems of overfilling LPG cylinders. This bulletin is not meant to provide all the details of proper filling and storage of LPG cylinders. Hot Summer Days The extreme heat of the summer months will cause overfilled cylinders to begin venting product and this venting product can be liquid, which expands…

Editor’s Note: This column can serve as a companion article for the Consultant’s Roundtable on page 14. Over the years, I have written several articles and Traffic Bulletins about training and with good reason. It consistently ranks as the number one inquiry from members and continues to be one of the most cited issues by DOT inspectors who visit our members. I want to touch on the high points of the main training topics required by the DOT: function specific, HAZMAT, driver, and drug and alcohol training. Hazmat Training (172.704) A HAZMAT employer must train, test and certify every HAZMAT…

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly bulletin sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section. Bulk Storage Tanks or Bulk Trailers at Customer Sites Do you own any bulk tanks at a customer site? An owner of bulk installations at a customer site has a duty under EPA regulations (Section 312) to notify the customer of their obligation to file Tier Form reports for each hazardous chemical that meets or exceeds the threshold planning quantities. The reminder must be mailed…

by tom badstubner and michael dodd This GAWDA Safety Alert is issued to inform GAWDA members of potential cylinder damage resulting from internal stress corrosion where carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are filled in steel cylinders. In the past, cylinders have violently ruptured causing significant damage. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are present in many mixtures. Recently, food gas mixtures (meat processing gas) and laser mixtures have been widely produced. If you are filling mixtures containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, with or without other balance gases, in steel cylinders, it is highly recommended that you obtain CGA P-57, Avoidance Of…

Over the years, I have written several articles and Traffic Bulletins about training and with good reason. It consistently ranks as the number one inquiry from members and continues to be one of the most cited issues by DOT inspectors who visit our members. I want to touch on the high points of the main training topics required by the DOT: function specific, hazmat, driver, and drug and alcohol training. Hazmat Training (172.704) A hazmat employer must train, test and certify every hazmat employee who has any function that directly impacts hazardous materials transportation safety. Function-Specific Training Requirements (172.704) Each…

It has been a few years since I last published this article, but it is an extremely important topic. I conduct high-pressure cylinder/liquid container/carbon dioxide cylinder filling classes for GAWDA members all across the country. There are four items that I stress during my training classes that, if done, really reduce the chances of fatality or serious injury to our employees and customers. 1. Hammer test (dead ring) all steel cylinders. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all steel cylinders approved to go 10 years between requalification to pass a hammer test prior to each fill. Hammer testing is a…