Mercertown Blog

CSA: CRASH
8 Feb 2012, 7:28 pm

This is our last BASIC in the CSA series. The CSA Crash BASIC is all about accidents. The score is based upon motor carrier accident “involvement”, not whose fault it was. Hopefully the FMCSA will spend more time looking at fault in the future, but for now motor carriers are stuck with it the way it is. It is important to understand that for an accident to show on CSA it must be a “recordable” accident per 390.5. It must result in a fatality; bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or one more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requring the motor vehicles to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.

Fortunately, we don’t have many accidents at Mercer, compared to our size and the number of miles we run. Most of the accidents at Mercer involve animal strikes or someone else hitting us at a truckstop. Nearly three-fourths of our accidents are non-preventable. That is a credit to all of our drivers’ commitment to keeping the highways safe. Most of these accidents to not meet the “recordable” standard of the FMCSA.

When our drivers do make mistakes and have preventable accidents, they generally fall into two categories: Improper lane change or following too closely. Both usually cause extensive property damage and injury to other motorists. They are difficult and expensive to settle. They can be career-ending for a driver. It is imperative that every driver drives defensively at all times. Don’t speed, don’t tailgate. When a lane change must be made, signal and use extreme caution. Check mirrors often and have enough mirrors to give multiple views down both sides of the truck. Get into the practice of backing off and don’t get caught up in other folk’s driving mistakes. Be patient.

CSA is all about reducing highway injuries and fatalities. In my opinion, at the end of the day, the most important BASIC on CSA is this one. Unsafe motor carriers have large numbers of accidents. Safe motor carriers do not. Mercer drivers are the best and everyone works hard to reduce the number of accidents our company has. I am proud of all of you for the great job you do. Keep up the good work. Be safe.

Thank you Mercer Contractors!!!
8 Feb 2012, 2:00 pm

Hi everyone. I wanted to take some time this morning and thank you all for being who you are. Thank you for making Mercer what it is today. We appreciate all of you being here, working hard for yourselves and for the Company. Taking care of our customers (without which you and I wouldn’t be here.) For being courteous and professional out on the road and helping each other out to get the job done. Without all of this we couldn’t survive. It is a struggle everyday out there with all the new laws, rules and regulations that are taking place. But if we can stick together and keep the “Family” attitude that we have had for so many years I believe we can enjoy the benefits of the decisions we make today for many more years to come.

So Thank You Mercer Contractors for all you do. You are the BEST!!!!

GO MERCER!!!!!

CSA: CARGO BASIC
2 Feb 2012, 2:46 pm

Mercer folks, I apologize for not being able to write every day and to respond to some of the great comments and thoughts I’ve seen on the various posts. I appreciate everyone’s input and do read them all. We’ve got folks that really think things out and I value that. My schedule does get kind of crazy sometimes and I can’t talk to everyone. Fortunately, the Mercer Family is a large one. Unfortunately, that means that there is always a lot going on and there aren’t enough hours in the day. It is important, however, that everybody understand CSA and keep it in mind every trip. It is a game changer and it requires greater attention to detail from everyone. As you know, everything counts: tickets, warnings, out of service violations and non-out of service violations. Everything.

By the way, I don’t think I mentioned what BASIC stands for. Here it is, “Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Category.” Wow, can’t government come up with some catchy names? That’s your tax dollars at work. Let’s talk about cargo.

Cargo includes the securement of items being transported. Simple stuff. It includes having the correct paperwork for the load. Hazardous material placarding, paperwork and placement is also included in the Cargo BASIC. If you operate an open deck trailer, you are expected to master cargo securement. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have specific rules concerning cargo securement. There are no shortcuts. You’ve got to read, and know, the regulations. They start at 393.100 and go through 393.136. Be sure you read the definitions in 393.5, as well. Van people also need to know this stuff.

Usually, when violations occur, it is due to laziness on the part of the driver. Let me repeat that, boys and girls: Usually, when violations occur, it is due to laziness on the part of the driver. I call ‘em like I see ‘em, guys and that is what I see most of the time. There are things like cut straps, not enough securement for the cargo length, putting one strap on pallets that need two straps, not checking load securement and letting chains or straps get loose, not putting edge protection on straps, using straps instead of chains or chains instead of straps, not having enough working load limit securement for the weight of the cargo. Observable defects. If the officer sees it, it goes on the report and scores the driver, and Mercer, 27-30 points. Improper cargo securement is a big deal under CSA, and it should be. If the load falls off, bad things happen.

The same thing is true about Hazmat. Most of our problems come from having torn placards or having a placard blow off. Are you kidding me? Who lets that happen? I saw one writeup where the driver was being inspected with a hazmat load and was written up for smoking. Really? This is the stuff that isn’t about how evil CSA is. It is just dumb (that’s a trucking term, it means, “DUMB”). I hear a lot of comments about CSA putting people out of business. And yes, I think everyone will tell you that there are problems with CSA, including the FMCSA. But proper cargo securement has been a requirement in this industry long before CSA. If you do not secure cargo properly, you’ll put yourself out of business. CSA just makes it happen quicker.

Good cargo securement is one part knowledge of the regulations, one part experience, and a big dose of common sense. But you’ve got to have all three to get it right. There are no shortcuts in securing your freight. Take the time to do it right. Ask if you’re not sure. This is important stuff. Be safe.

Just an FYI for the NJ Parkways.
2 Feb 2012, 2:05 pm

CARB TRUCK REGISTRATION DEADLINE
1 Feb 2012, 4:21 pm

CARB has extended the deadline to register your 96-99 engine to the end of March.  If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about, click on this link here: http://mercertownblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/how-long-will-my-truck-be-legal-in-california/.

If you have an engine that was produced between 96-99, you have to register your equipment on the CARB website by March 30, 2012.

TRIPPAK ENVELOPES
31 Jan 2012, 1:50 pm

Attention Mercer Contractors…Please do not use TripPak envelopes to send anything into Mercer.  Trip scanning via In-Cab, truck stop, or mobile phone, and Mercer’s pre-paid USPS envelopes are your only option of sending paperwork to Mercer.  We continue to have a few drivers send items via TripPak envelopes.  Keep in mind that we are not set up to receive these TripPak envelopes, and there is no guarantee that we will receive what you send using them.  Thanks and GO MERCER!

2290′s – Something New.
30 Jan 2012, 8:27 pm

Hello fellow Mercer contractors. I have recently been in contact with 2290tax.com to file your 2290′s. They have agreed to give us a small discount on the service fee only. Instead of the usual 29.99 they charge for processing the 2290 it is now only 20.00. For those of you out there that still need to file your 2290′s you can contact the contractor relations department to get this process going. To pay the initial 2290 the 550$ the IRS requires a bank routing number and bank account number. The service fee of 20.00 will be paid by Mercer and will be reimbursed to Mercer from your settlement or reserve account. The deadline that Mercer has set in place to pay your 2290 has been extended again to FEB 14th. Please have your 2290′s paid by this deadline. Thank you guys and GO MERCER !!!

ECLIPSE LOGBOOK PROGRAM VIDEO PREVIEW
30 Jan 2012, 6:38 pm

http://logbook.com/Preview/

Here is a link to the preview of the Eclipse logbook program, for those that are interested.  Have  a great day, and GO MERCER!

CSA: VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BASIC
27 Jan 2012, 3:39 pm

As everyone has already figured out, vehicle maintenance refers to the condition and upkeep of the tractor and trailer. It covers all items covered in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Nothing to it, right? Sure, except under the old SafeStat system, folks were more concerned about out of service violations as opposed to ALL violations. Under CSA EVERYTHING counts, and some count quite a few points.

For example, a tire under 2/32′s is 24 points. If it’s under 50% inflated, 24 points, 30 points if it’s out of service. A headlight? Glad you asked…..18 points, thank you very much. Brake out of adjustment, 12 points, plus another 12 points in most states for a defective slack adjuster. There are points charged for defective or unmounted fire extinguishers, no windshield washer fluid, no warning triangles, inoperative ABS check light on trailer, chaffed air lines (particularly on a back deck of the tractor), no tractor backup light(s), no city horn, missing retroreflective tape on rear of cab or top of tractor mudflaps or on trailer, any air leak, frayed fan belts, tinted windows, straight pipes, cracked windshield, exhaust leak, mismatched brake chambers, cracked brake shoes, extended cab visors, non-functioning lights, non-functioning low air warning devices(must have both if originally equipped), no spare fuses, on and on and on and on. Remember, CSA not only includes out of service items but also OBSERVABLE DEFECTS. That means that if the officer sees it, he or she writes it. This pretty much eliminates their ability to give “breaks” even if they might be so inclined.

Most Mercer violations in this BASIC are brakes out of adjustment, tires under 2/32″ and defective lights. Lights are either marker lights out, a burned out headlight, or an unplugged pigtail which leaves the trailer dark. The majority of these violations are written during daylight hours.

Many carriers have discovered that the easy fix for light violations is to run their lights during the daylight hours as well as at night. This is true for three reasons: First, most bulbs burn out, especially headlamps, at the time they are turned on. If you turn them on when you start your day, you’ll catch burned out ones during your pre-trip inspection. Secondly, as you stop for fuel or to do a load check, you will also notice any defective lighting and can make repairs at that point. Finally, if you drop a pigtail for some reason, you’ll notice your trailer lights out before someone with blue lights notices them for you and starts writing a book about it. Chapter one is no taillights, chapter two is no turn signals and chapter three is no brake lights. Three separate sets of CSA points. Running lights during daylight hours also helps to prevent accidents, especially on two-lane roadway. I urge everyone to do that, no matter what type of vehicle they drive.

Brakes need to be checked daily. Not weekly or monthly. Tire air pressure should also be checked daily, as well. Spray off any excess grease and oil from underneath the tractor and trailer. If you have an oil leak, fix it. Leaks score on CSA.

The best thing about being an owner-operator is that you own your own truck. The worst thing about being an owner-operator is that you own your own truck. With freedom comes responsibility. You are in most cases the shop, the shop foreman and the mechanic. Remember that you are held to the same standard as company fleets which are maintained by company or dealer shops and company or dealer mechanics. CSA knows no difference and there are no excuses. The vehicle maintenance BASIC is tough and demands constant attention. If you are not willing to do this, you might be better off in a company fleet as a pumpkin pilot. Owner-operators must walk the talk on vehicle maintenance.

Mercer drivers who get it right get credit for clean inspections. Those who get it wrong eat the points and are required to come to Louisville for reinspection. Folks, this is important stuff. Everyone has to get it right. I can’t stress this enough. Be safe.

CSA: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL BASIC
24 Jan 2012, 7:49 pm

In case there is any doubt, the use or possession of illegal or unauthorized drugs by those in safety sensitive functions is prohibited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Likewise, the use or possession of alcohol by those in safety sensitive functions is prohibited by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Here’s another: Mercer has a zero tolerance policy for drug and alcohol violations. All of these were in effect long before anyone thought about CSA. I don’t know what else to say.

Under CSA, where all previous carriers’ driver inspections can be accessed by potential future employers, drug and alcohol violations can for all intents and purposes end a driver’s career. Most carriers, including Mercer, will not consider an applicant who has a drug or alcohol violation.

Remember, it is a violation to have alcohol on the truck unless it is cargo run under a bill of lading. It cannot be in cabinets, refrigerators, headache racks or even in tool boxes on the trailer. If a truck is parked for the weekend and the driver is off duty, he is allowed to have alcohol in the berth, but not in the driving compartment. He must be off duty for at least four hours after drinking before driving and all alcohol must be removed from the truck before it moves (49CFR392.5(a)(1)). Alcohol is prohibited on Mercer property at all times for both employees and drivers.

The Drugs and Alcohol BASIC is simple and summed up in one word: Don’t.