With Greer, you can rest assured that the safety of your waste/cargo is of the utmost importance. Recently, we were the subject of an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) compliance review in which it was determined that we met or exceeded the criteria to be awarded a safety rating of “Satisfactory.” This is the highest rating a motor carrier can receive. Receiving this rating is considered a significant achievement in the trucking industry and we are proud to have earned it. Don’t know what a compliance review is? Continue reading to find out.
What is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)?
The FMCSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for regulating the trucking industry. The FMCSA was created in 2000 and is headquartered in Washington, DC. The mission of the agency is “to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.” The agency’s strategy to accomplish this mission is composed of four main factors:
- Develops and enforces data-driven regulations that balance motor carrier (truck and bus companies) safety with efficiency;
- Harnesses safety information systems to focus on higher risk carriers in enforcing the safety regulations;
- Targets educational messages to carriers, commercial drivers, and the public; and
- Partners with stakeholders including Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies, the motor carrier industry, safety groups, and organized labor on efforts to reduce bus and truck-related crashes.
What is a Compliance Review?
A FMCSA compliance review is an on-site visit from a representative agent of the FMCSA. In a nutshell, the review focuses on determining whether or not a carrier is in regulatory compliance and if the carrier is operating in a safe manner. The carrier is given at least a 48 hour notice before the agent site visit and must have all documentation requested available at the principal place of business (if the carrier has multiple locations). Below is a partial list of documentation that is thoroughly examined during the review.
- Insurance/Accidents. The carrier will be required to provide a current Form MCS-90 or 90B and any documentation related to accidents such as the accident register, police report and insurance claims information for a specified time period.
- Driver Information. The carrier will have to provide a list of all drivers used within the last two years typically as well as relevant information about each driver.
- Hours of Service Records. The agent will inspect hours of service records to include manual logs, e-logs, shipping documents, dispatch records and all other documentation related to driver regulatory compliance. The carrier is responsible for ensuring that its drivers are remaining compliant with all applicable regulations. To discover more about e-logs and the ELD mandate, click here for our blog post on the subject.
- Vehicle Maintenance Records. Vehicle maintenance records are also inspected to verify that the carrier’s equipment is being maintained and properly inspected. The agent will also review drivers’ daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) to verify compliance.
- Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Records. There are special rules regarding alcohol and drug testing procedures for drivers that maintain a commercial drivers license. The agent will require the carrier to show proof of compliance with these rules and regulations during the review.
- Hazardous Materials Records. Finally, if a carrier hauls hazardous materials, the agent will review employee training documentation, security plans and shipping documentation related to Hazmat loads.
- Site Walk. At some point during the review, the agent will tour the principal place of business to ensure that the carrier is essentially “walking the walk” that is presented in its documentation.
Our Company Information
As you can see, a compliance review is an involved process. Attaining a “Satisfactory” safety rating shows that a carrier understands, incorporates and complies with the Department of Transportation regulations. The FMCSA maintains a database that provides statistics on carriers. Potential hiring clients can view carrier statistics on the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system by searching using the carrier’s DOT number, MC/MX number or name. Click here to begin your search and feel free to look up our statistics by searching for Greer Enterprises, LLC.