- Details
- Category: Industry News
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus in the car service industry including taxis and ridesharing services.
Safety measures include:
- Allowing drivers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus
- Providing alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol for both drivers and customers
- Limiting the number of passengers transported at a single time and installing Plexiglas partitions between driver and passenger compartments where possible
- Routinely cleaning and disinfecting vehicle door handles and inside surfaces with EPA-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus
- Lowering vehicle windows to increase airflow
- Encouraging drivers to report any safety and health concerns
The full announcement can be downloaded here.
OSHA has also issued guidelines for companies that are participating in food deilvery or pickup services, which can be downloaded here.
The alert is the latest effort by OSHA to educate and protect America’s workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. OSHA has also published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, a document aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
Visit OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage frequently for updates. For further information about coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
For more information, visit osha.gov.
[05.16.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
On May 13, Prevost and more than 800 motorcoaches from companies across the nation circled on routes around the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to give legislators a visual reminder that the industry needs federal assistance in the next aid bill. The event was organized by the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association. A recap of the event can be viewed here.
Rally participants sign the bay door of a 2020 Prevost X3-45 coach
The Washington rally culminates weeks of advocacy and education with federal policymakers on the need for aid for the motorcoach industry during these unprecedented times. Prevost team members worked together with other industry members to plan the event. Three specially decaled Prevost coaches were driven by members of the Prevost sales team, and two service vans with certified Prevost technicians were on hand and ready to address any issues while the coaches rolled through the city.
“Prevost stands with motorcoach operators asking for funding to get them through this time of extraordinary hardship. Motorcoaches are an integral part of the infrastructure of transportation throughout this great country,” says Prevost Vice President and General Manager Francois Tremblay. “Now is the time to recognize how important this industry is to the nation and earmark funding to assist this amazing and caring industry.”
Prevost also contributed to the funding of the rally via the GoFundMe support page, and says it was pleased to collaborate with the associations, motorcoach operators from across the U.S., and other bus OEMs to make this event a success.
Prevost’s X3-45 coach passes the Washington Monument during the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness Rally
In a press release from the company: “Above all, Prevost is deeply proud of the strong unity and professionalism within the industry, which was expressed during this event.”
Participants in the rally were invited to sign the bay door of a 2020 Prevost X3-45 coach, which is being donated to the The Museum of Bus Transportation for safekeeping and historical preservation.
To see pictures and videos from the event, visit the Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness event page.
Visit prevostcar.com for more information.
[05.15.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
By Chris Przybylski
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) posted a new rule on May 14 that will take effect in about four months that contains four substantial changes to hours of service.
- The short-haul exception is now 150 air-miles or 14 hours start to finish (previously 100 air-miles and 12 hours, except Alaska).
- Adverse driving window (on-duty time) is extended by two hours.
- 30-minute break (property carriers) is now only required after eight driving hours (instead of on-duty) and can be taken as on-duty time.
- Sleeper berth exception now allows two breaks totaling at least 10 hours, given at least seven hours is spent in the berth (previous eight).
| Rule | Existing Rule | New Rule |
| Short-Haul | 12 Hours, 100 Air-Miles | 14 Hours, 150 Air-Miles |
| Adverse Driving | Adds Two Hours to Driving Time Only | Adds Two Hours to Driving or On-Duty Time |
| 30-Minute break | Must be Sleeper Berth or Off-Duty | Can also be On-Duty |
| Sleeper Berth | Eight Hours Consecutive Required | Seven Hours Consecutive Required |
Short-Haul Exception
Under 395.1(e)(1), if a driver operates within a 100 air-mile radius of the base of operations and also starts and ends at the same within 12 hours, they do not require a traditional log. Hours of service are still required, but only need the start time, end time, and total hours worked each day. If you meet the requirements, consider using a form like this one instead of driver logs. Note: This form has been updated for the new regulation that is not yet in effect.
Why This Is Important
- With the expansion to 14 hours and 150 air-miles, even more local limo drivers qualify for the short-haul exception.
- If a driver qualifies for the short-haul exception 22 out of every 30 days, they do not need ELDs. Again, very few local operators will need ELDs. This not only saves money but also lowers the administrative burden of properly managing ELD systems and/or paper logs.
Adverse Driving Conditions
Adverse driving conditions are defined under 395.2 as snow, sleet, fog, and other adverse weather conditions; a highway covered with snow or ice; or unusual road and traffic conditions, none of which were apparent on the basis of information known to the person dispatching the run at the time it was begun. The previous rule allowed drivers to exceed the maximum driving hours by two full hours in order to complete a run, or reach a place of safety or security if adverse driving conditions caused the delay. The previous regulation did not extend the on-duty hours so a driver near the end of their shift was unable to use the adverse driving condition exception. The new rule corrects this and allows both on-duty and driving time to extend by two total hours. It also expands to include the driver’s knowledge of road conditions.
30-Minute Break
Under 395.3, property-carrying drivers who do not qualify for the short-haul exception must take a 30-minute break at least once before exceeding eight driving hours. Under the previous rule, this break must be off-duty or sleeper-berth time. The new rule expands to allow on-duty time to count as the required break. It should also be noted that more drivers will now qualify for the short-haul exception listed above.
Sleeper Berth Exception
A sleeper berth is defined under 395.2 and is generally found on over-the-road trucks. Sleeper berths may be used in lieu of traditional off-duty time if the requirements of the exception are met, which can be found in 395.1(g). One of these exceptions previously allowed a combination of at least eight consecutive hours in the sleeper berth and up to two hours as a passenger (10 hours total) to start a new work shift. The new rule modifies this to only require at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, as long as the total hours in sleeper-berth and passenger time is still at least 10 hours.
Association Support
On a related note, the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the American Bus Association (ABA) are cited in the final rule in support of the short-haul exception extension. Consider joining one or both as they fight to help for our industry!
Read the full text of the new rule here.
A special thank you to Chris Przybylski of LBC Fleet, Safety & Compliance for providing an analysis of this update. He may be reached at chris@lbcfleet.com.
Also read posts from Lancer Insurance and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao about the new rule.
[05.15.20]