Plumb Safety: A Closer Look at How the FMCSA Can Improve Fleet

Fleet safety is an essential component of any lumber business. As the industry continues to grow, and businesses face increased demand, the strength of a fleet can make or break a lumber operation.

Unfortunately, managing a commercial auto fleet, no matter the size, comes with its own set of risk exposures – risk exposures that have led to an alarming upward trend in accidents and losses for our policyholders. In fact, in 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 156,325 crashes involving large trucks, with 4,566 fatalities and more than 68,000 injuries. That said, there is more lumber businesses can do to protect their fleets and others out on the road, and there are many resources brokers can recommend to their clients to support these efforts.

First and foremost, brokers should ensure their clients are taking the time to properly assess the strength of their current fleet team. All fleets should have a qualified fleet manager regularly monitoring their team to ensure proper safety measures are being taken. One of the best ways to do this is through the FMCSA. The FMCSA offers an online portal, named the CSA, which tracks fleet safety data across relevant businesses.

The CSA offers several critical resources for fleet managers. First, their Safety Measurement System (SMS) provides an easy way to track safety data throughout their business. If authorities notice any deficiencies with load securement, tires, engines, substance abuse or hazardous materials during a roadside inspection, the driver and the company may be issued a citation, which will shortly after appear in the portal. The CSA tracks data over three years, providing fleet managers with ample data to assess their team.

The SMS addresses a company’s fleet safety across seven important categories: unsafe driving, crash indication, hours of service compliance, vehicle maintenance, controlled substances/alcohol, hazardous materials compliance and driver fitness. Once in the portal, fleet managers can view data across these categories which can help them identify deficiencies within their organization.

In addition to safety measurement, the CSA also has an interventions process, with features such as warning letters and onsite focused investigations, which can help managers work more efficiently with their teams to improve safety measures and compliance. Once a fleet manager notices any deficiencies within their team, they can use these intervention tools to deal with them. Furthermore, they should immediately alert senior staff so they can begin the process of retraining individuals where appropriate. In addition to retraining, monitoring their GPS systems and regularly checking their driving data will help keep at-risk drivers safe.

The CSA and SMS are invaluable comprehensive tools brokers can recommend to their clients looking to promote a safe working environment. Fleet managers can use these resources to keep track of any potential safety hazards and immediately address these risks to keep their teams and those out on the road safe. For more information on the FMCSA’s fleet safety tools, please visit https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/.