SAFETY UPDATES
Hours of Service Regulation Updates for Drivers – In June of 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration adopted new regulations for commercial drivers. Some important highlights from these new regulations include:
- 100 air mile radius exception increases to 150 air mile radius. The 12 hour logs will no longer be required except in circumstances outlined below.
- To be able to use the short haul exception, the CMV driver must operate within a 150 air mile radius, not exceed the maximum duty period of 14 hours, start and end a shift at the same location, have at least ten hours off between shifts and the start and end times for the day and total hours on-duty time are included on a time record.
- Total Driving Time is not to exceed eleven hours in a 24 hour period.
- Logs are still required anytime a driver works 14 or more hours in a 24 hour period, works 60 hours or more in a rolling seven day period or fails to have ten hours off between shifts.
- No driving on public roadways is permitted for any reason once the driver reaches the 14 or 60 hour limit.
- Hours of Service regulations for Non CDL drivers remains unchanged
- When a driver no longer meets the exceptions (drives too far or works too many hours), the driver must complete a regular log or use an ELD for the day. If a driver is required to complete a log for eight or fewer days within the last 30 days, the driver can use a paper log with a graph grid. If a driver is required to complete a log for eight or more days within the last 30 days, the driver must use an ELD to record time.
The full regulations can be viewed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
Sanitation Workers Support Fund – SWANA and Glad have expanded eligibility for those impacted by COVID-19. The Sanitation Workers Support Fund provides financial assistance to solid waste and recycling workers in the US and Canada adversely impacted by COVID-19. The expansion has opened up eligibility beyond front line workers such as drivers and helpers to include solid waste workers at municipal sanitation departments or hauling companies that have direct interaction with front-line solid waste workers. Those that work at recycling facilities who have direct contact with front-line solid waste workers may also qualify. For more information or to apply for assistance through the fund, visit SWANA’s Initiative Page.
Covid-19 – Many workplaces and communities are still rightly concerned about the potential risks of exposure to the COVID-19. All of us are looking for ways to plan for and manage the long-term impacts related to COVID-19. Beacause information about the virus continues to evolve, SWANA has been updating and revising the resources available on their Guidance on Coronavirus page, be sure to scroll through the page for links to the latest information.
