Tag: #roadsafety

New video for tower workers: work zone safety

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health
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Photo: NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association

Watertown, SD — A new video from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association explores traffic control concepts intended to protect workers in roadway work zones.

Work zone protection requirements vary at state and local levels, video host Sean Gilhooley says, but all are based on Department of Transportation requirements and enforced by OSHA and state/local police.

George Kerstetter – director of outside plant operations at Tooele, UT-based Beehive Broadband and member of multiple NATE committees – offers input throughout the video. Kerstetter begins by recommending supervisors consider aspects such as time of day, volume of traffic, roadway speed limit and work zone proximity to the roadway when determining proper traffic control methods. Other suggestions:

  • Equip workers with high-visibility vests, proper head and eye protection, and steel-toed footwear. Workers should wear Type 2 vests during daylight hours and Type 3 vests at night. The latter type includes more retroreflective material as well as sleeves “to help identify you a little bit better as a human,” Kerstetter says.
  • Check whether the jurisdiction where the work is being performed has written traffic control plans. Make sure signs or temporary traffic control devices are visible to drivers.
  • Use a flagger or spotter if the work zone encroaches on a lane of traffic.
  • Direct traffic safely around the work zone while also accounting for pedestrians. Use cones to mark off the area and caution tape to direct people away from open trenches or holes.

The video is the most recent installment in NATE’s Climber Connection series, which promotes safe work practices for communication tower workers. The association asks climbers and other industry stakeholders to use the hashtag #ClimberConnection when posting the video on social media platforms.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Motor Carrier Safety Awards Funding to 56 States, Territories for Safer Roads

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by FMCSA

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a 61% increase in funding for states and territories to support roadway safety.

Washington – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) awarded more than $471 million in Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grants to help fund initiatives aimed at preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV).

“Commercial vehicles are an essential part of our supply chains, our economy, and our way of life—and we must ensure that they are as safe as possible,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This funding will help save lives by making our roads safer for commercial vehicle drivers and everyone who shares the road with them.”

The MCSAP is FMCSA’s largest grant program. It supports state, territorial, and local transportation offices and law enforcement agencies in the utilization of more than 12,000 officers to increase education, outreach, and safety activities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided for a 61% increase in the amount of funding available through MCSAP grants, giving states and territories more money than ever before to support roadway safety through enhanced driver and vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, investigations, data collection, and public education and awareness.

The goal of the MCSAP is to reduce CMV-involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs that support innovative commercial driver training, safety inspections, and enhanced compliance and enforcement initiatives.

“These grants align with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and ensure we are all working towards the same goal: zero fatalities on our roadways,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “FMCSA’s core mission is safety, and we are committed to working with our state and territorial partners to enhance the safety of our roadways.”

Administrator Hutcheson and other leaders from FMCSA met with MCSAP grant recipients last month to further align efforts and best maximize the use of grant funding.

To be eligible for the grants, a state or territory must have an FMCSA-approved Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). FMCSA partners with grantees to support consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs.

All states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories receive funding annually through MCSAP grants. A revised MCSAP formula issued in 2020 promotes stability in the size of the awards to ensure that no state’s percentage of MCSAP funding will decrease by more than 3 percent, or increase by more than 5 percent, each year.

The MCSAP funding formula ensures transparency and equity.

Read more about FMCSA’s grants and financial assistance.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

Original article published by FMCSA

FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by FMCSA

Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to help keep each other safe. The annual FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest invites students to use their creativity to raise awareness of how to stay safe on the road, particularly when driving, biking, or walking around large trucks and buses.

The 2023 contest is open March 20, 2023 through June 10, 2023 – enter today! Download the entry form for more details.

2023 Contest Entry Form

Contest Awards

Grand Prize winners are awarded in four categories:

  • Category 1: Grades K-2
  • Category 2: Grades 3-5
  • Category 3: Grades 6-8
  • Category 4: Grades 9-12

All winners will receive a framed copy of their artwork and an award certificate. Artwork will also be featured as part of our:

  • Winner Announcement Video
  • Kid Zone and Teen Zone Webpages
  • 2024 Road Safety Art Contest Calendar. Download the 2023 Road Safety Art Contest Calendar, featuring last year’s winning artwork.d

2022 Contest Winners

Watch last year’s winner video for inspiration!

See All Winning Artwork

Contest Background

The annual contest serves as a collaborative effort between the Our Roads, Our SafetyⓇ partnership to raise safety awareness about the commercial truck and bus industries.

Contest Regulations

By entering the art contest, each participant and his or her parent, guardian and/or legal representative warrant that the submission is the participant’s original work. They consent to the use of the entrant’s first and last name, artwork, grade, city and state on the 2024 Road Safety Calendar and other related promotional items without further permission, compensation or approval. Original artwork submitted becomes the property of the art contest sponsors. Participants assign all copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights related to their entries to the art contest sponsors and previously mentioned agencies including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Transportation. In consideration for the participation in this art contest, participants and their parents, guardians, and/or legal representatives release, discharge, indemnify and agree to hold harmless the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, their employees, officers, directors, agents, and partners from all claims, damages, demands, obligations, or losses of any kind related to this art contest. All communications regarding the art contest, including announcement of winners, will be sent to the artists’ parent, guardian and/or legal representative.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

FMCSA Announces Commitments to Road Safety Through Inaugural Our Roads, Our Safety Week

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by FMCSA

This safety observance will launch alongside two national public awareness campaigns promoting safe driving practices among all road users, including large truck and bus drivers.

Washington – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced the start of its first-ever Our Roads, Our Safety Week, a safety observance dedicated to educating all road users on sharing the road safely with large trucks and buses. This effort, taking place May 7-13, 2023, will raise awareness and share actionable information on improving roadway safety, directly supporting the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)’s goal of zero roadway fatalities.

Each day of the safety week is dedicated to the following safety-related topics: Safer Roads, Safer People, Safer Vehicles and Safer Speeds, which aligns with the NRSS’s Safe System Approach. Activities during the week will also focus on young drivers.

On Thursday, May 11, FMCSA will host a stakeholder event (streamed on Facebook Live) highlighting FMCSA’s and the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry’s commitments to the NRSS. Attendees will hear about specific activities and actions stakeholders are taking to help reach zero deaths on our nation’s roadways.

Other Safety Week highlights include:

  • The announcement of a new CMV driver-focused outreach campaign dedicated to reducing or eliminating speeding on our roads.
  • The unveiling of a new Our Roads, Our Safety public awareness campaign look and feel, designed to increase awareness and promote safe driving practices among all road users.

“FMCSA is committed to safety. We have a responsibility to educate all road users on how to safely share the road with buses, 18-wheelers, and other Commercial Motor Vehicles,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “Together we can make a difference in reducing the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.”

Large commercial vehicles are a critical part of our nation’s economy, transporting millions of dollars in goods and thousands of people across the country each day. The CMV industry contributes to our lives and livelihood, and it’s critical we work together to protect these professional drivers. Learn more about the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign by visiting ShareTheRoadSafely.gov.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

FMCSA Seeks Comments on Proposed Changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by FMCSA

Since May 2020, FMCSA has been operating the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) and reviewing 16 specific crash types. FMCSA proposes changes to the CPDP. Based on the Agency’s experiences with the program, FMCSA proposes modifying existing crash types to broaden eligibility and remove the distinction between direct and indirect strikes. The proposal also differentiates some types for improved reporting and use of the data to identify ways to reduce crashes involving non-motorists, in alignment with the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy at https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS. FMCSA also proposes that four new crash types be included in the program.

The Agency’s Safety Measurement System uses safety performance information and recordable crashes involving commercial motor vehicles to prioritize carriers for safety interventions. The Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) uses crashes from the previous 24 months to calculate percentiles for motor carriers. FMCSA is better positioned to identify unsafe carrier and driver behaviors and prioritize carriers for interventions, by excluding not preventable crashes when calculating a motor carrier’s Crash Indicator BASIC measure and percentile. Not preventable determinations are also noted in FMCSA’s Pre-employment Screening Program.

FMCSA seeks public comments on the proposed changes to the program. The comment period will be open for 60 days. For more information about the proposal, including how to submit comments to the Federal Register docket, click on the following link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/13/2023-07818/crash-preventability-determination-program.

Learn more about FMCSA’s CPDP at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/crash-preventability-determination-program.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $1 Billion for Local Communities to Improve Roadway Safety

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by DOT

More than 500 communities received funding for planning and projects from first round of grants announced in February; second round of funding encourages applicants to submit proposals that include demonstration projects that can be built quickly from temporary materials 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to apply directly for a total of $1.177 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety.

The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), which was created in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our highways, streets, and roads. Funding can be targeted toward known high-crash areas, which are easier than ever to identify thanks to an interactive tool created by DOT. Locally driven solutions can include everything from improving sidewalks and adding high-visibility crosswalks, to reconfiguring intersections.

“The crisis of traffic deaths on our nation’s roadways demands urgent and sustained action by us all,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With our Safe Streets and Roads for All program, we are helping communities across the country save lives by making their roads safer.”

Launching and administering the SS4A grant program is a major element to DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in 2022 to address the high number of traffic deaths happening across the country.

In February, DOT announced 473 communities received Action Planning grants and 37 communities received Implementation grants from the first round of SS4A funding. With similar funding available this year, the Department encourages all interested communities to apply. The application process for SS4A is designed to be as easy as possible and increase accessibility to this program, particularly for smaller communities, Tribal governments and recipients new to Federal funding. Applicants for this cycle are encouraged to submit proposals that include the use of demonstration activities, sometime also known as “quick build” projects, as part of their Action Plans, as well as undertaking more traditional action planning and implementation activities. DOT anticipates awarding at least $250 million in demonstration activities this funding round.

Applications may come from individual communities or groups of communities and may include MPOs, counties, cities, towns, other special districts that are subdivisions of a state, certain transit agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multijurisdictional groups of eligible applicants.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at  https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A. Applications are due on or before July 10 at 5pm Eastern.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

FMCSA Launches Training Provider Registry

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

First published by FMCSA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched its Training Provider Registry as the final step in implementing new entry-level driver training standards for individuals seeking to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or certain endorsements.

The Training Provider Registry is an online database that aims to improve highway safety by:

  • Maintaining the list of registered training providers that have self-certified they meet Federal training requirements; and
  • Retaining a record of all individuals who have completed the required entry-level driver training.

As of February 7, 2022, entry-level drivers subject to the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations must complete the required training from a registered training provider before obtaining a CDL or specified endorsement for the first time. State Driver Licensing Agencies will now use the information in the Training Provider Registry to verify that a CDL applicant has completed the required training before administering the applicable skills or knowledge test.

Individuals subject to the ELDT regulations include those applying to:

  • Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time;
  • Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
  • Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

Individuals that hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) issued before February 7, 2022 are not subject to the ELDT requirements, so long as they obtain a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires. Individuals that previously held the types of licenses or endorsements listed above are not subject to EDLT regulations, even if the previously-issued license or endorsement is no longer valid.

“With an increasing number of people applying for CDLs over the past year, there has never been a more important time to implement minimum uniform training standards that ensure new drivers have both the knowledge and skills to operate safely,” said Jack Van Steenburg, Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer. “The ELDT regulations were developed with input from driver and training organizations, motor carriers, state licensing agencies, safety advocacy groups, and insurance companies. The Training Provider Registry will efficiently connect training providers, entry-level drivers, and State Driver Licensing Agencies to promote compliance with these essential safety regulations.”

The Federal ELDT regulations, which cover both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, will ensure that entry-level drivers receive the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Individuals seeking to obtain entry-level driver training must search for a training provider on the Training Provider Registry at https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.

All entities intending to provide entry level driver training, including companies, organizations, public agencies, and individuals, must visit the Training Provider Registry to register with FMCSA. Training providers can learn more about the requirements they must meet, including those related to instructor qualifications, training curricula, facilities, equipment, and state licensing, and begin registration at https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/provider.

About the Training Provider Registry
The Training Provider Registry is an FMCSA online database that will improve road safety by ensuring that all entry-level drivers receive comprehensive training from a self-certified training provider prior to obtaining a CDL, upgrade, or endorsement.

The ELDT regulations were mandated under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
First published by Safety+Health an NSC publication.

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Second grader Gianna Liu, from Hillsborough, NJ, won a top honor for her artwork in 2020. Photo: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is accepting entries until June 4 for its annual Road Safety Art Contest for students.

As part of FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety campaign, designed to remind motorists to drive safely when sharing the road with commercial motor vehicles, the contest is open to students in kindergarten up to 12th grade. This year’s contest features new creative submission categories.

“Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to help keep each other safe,” the agency says on the contest webpage. “The annual FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest invites students to use their creativity to raise awareness of how to stay safe on the road, particularly when driving, biking or walking around large trucks and buses.”

Grand prize and honorable mention winners will be awarded in four categories: kindergarten-fifth grade, sixth-eighth grades, ninth-10th grades and 11th-12th grades. Winners will receive a framed copy of their artwork and an award certificate. The winning artwork will be featured in the contest’s winner announcement video, on FMCSA’s Kid Zone and Teen Zone websites, and in the 2022 Road Safety Art Contest Calendar.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, DOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.