CSA 2010: Spread the Word
Unless you've been in hibernation for the past year or so, you know that CSA 2010 (Comprehensive Safety Analysis) is scheduled to replace the DOT's current SafeStat safety rating system later this year. For motor carriers, it will mean that the safety rating will no longer be determined by a DOT audit, but rather by the roadside performance of the carriers' drivers. The thing that drivers need to understand, more than anything else, is that everything counts . All possible violations in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have been assigned risk point values. Anything other than "no violations" placed on a DOT inspection report counts against the motor carrier, and in most cases, the driver. That goes for "warnings" and all non-oos items. Everything counts. Anything counts. I'm not going into detail here, as I've written quite a bit about it, beginning last April, in both of our newsletters and regularly on the Mercertown Blog. In addition, a google of CSA 2010 will lead to a lot of information from places such as FMCSA, DOT, and OOIDA. Trucking publications have run many articles on CSA 2010 and it is a regular topic on Sirius XM satellite radio. I encourage everyone to digest as much information on CSA 2010 as possible and understand the significance of this to Mercer and to each Mercer contractor. It is a significant change in our industry. And that's an understatement.
Still, we have quite a few drivers who are not especially computer savy and have not seen much about this, or know much about it. I encourage all of our drivers who have computers and have a working knowledge of CSA 2010 to share their information with Mercer drivers who may not be as far along on this. Discuss it over meals at truckstops, discuss it while waiting to load, or at any other place Mercer drivers gather. Stop by my office in Louisville and see what it looks like. Our ability to continue operating as a safe motor carrier depends on your ability as a driver to get clean inspections, and also on the ability of the Mercer driver running with you, loading with you, or having breakfast or dinner with you to do the same. Encourage each other to get clean inspections. Help each other do so. Sucess in the CSA 2010 environment will require everyone doing everything right, every day, every trip. It will require teamwork among our drivers, our employees, and our agents. Spread the word.
Len Dunman
Safety Director
Tele (502) 625-3161
Fax (502) 625-3158
1-800-626-5375