The commercial trucking and over-the-road (OTR) transportation industry is a cornerstone of the global economy, moving over 11.4 billion tons of freight and generating $940 billion in revenue in 2022. With increasing demands, prioritizing safety and security for drivers, cargo, and operations is critical.
Implementing a comprehensive and holistic security program ensures a safer and more secure environment for all stakeholders. With over 3.5 million professional truck drivers on the road, an effective safety program emphasizes continuous improvement and vigilance. Key components include pre-hire background checks, continuous workforce screening, drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle monitoring, driver training, medical qualifications, fatigue management, emergency preparedness, and cybersecurity measures.
Background Checks and Continuous Workforce Screening
Thorough background checks during the hiring process are the foundation for safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires motor carriers to check for past criminal behavior, driving violations, and other red flags. Ensuring new hires have clean records helps mitigate risks associated with hiring individuals with problematic histories.
Continuous Workforce Screening
Pre-hire background checks alone are not sufficient. Continuous screening of criminal court records helps maintain the same standards required for someone to be hired and is vital for ongoing safety and security. This continuous vigilance helps to maintain a safe and secure workforce and reduces risks to operations.
PostHire’s Continuous Workforce Screening system monitors nationwide criminal court filings to detect charges of company employees. Their proprietary 24/7 record searching process promptly identifies new offenses drivers or other personnel commit. Incorporating real-time reports of court citations and police arrests can significantly enhance the effectiveness of a comprehensive security program.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Ensuring a drug-free workforce is crucial in the transportation industry. Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is an essential step in the hiring process. The FMCSA requires these tests to identify candidates who may pose a risk due to substance abuse.
Maintaining safety standards requires more than just initial testing. Ongoing random drug and alcohol tests, along with mandatory testing post-accidents, are vital. The FMCSA requires 50% random drug testing and 10% alcohol testing annually to deter substance abuse and promptly address incidents.
Just as ongoing drug testing is required after hiring an employee, continuous workforce screening ensures responsible company officers receive near real-time notice of any criminal charge filed against an employee.
Motor Vehicle Monitoring
The safety of commercial trucking operations relies on the condition of the vehicles used. Regular vehicle inspections by experienced mechanics ensure trucks are safe to operate. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2021 International Road Check found a 20.9% vehicle out-of-service rate. These inspections identify any mechanical issues that need timely repairs to prevent accidents.
Monitoring drivers’ motor vehicle records (MVR) is another critical piece for road safety. Samba Safety’s MVR monitoring service continuously checks for new violations or status changes, ensuring only drivers with clean records are on the road. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reports a 20% reduction in accident likelihood for carriers using MVR monitoring.
Driver Training and Licensing
Comprehensive training programs for new drivers are essential to ensure they are prepared for the job’s demands. The American Trucking Association (ATA) emphasizes the importance of training programs that cover safe driving practices, regulatory requirements, and company policies. This equips drivers with the necessary knowledge and skills for safe and efficient operations.
Continuous education and certification keep drivers updated on new regulations and best practices. Ongoing training helps drivers maintain high standards of safety and compliance. According to the ATA, this can reduce accident rates by 22%.
Medical Qualifications – Health Screenings
Mandatory health screenings ensure drivers are fit for their demanding jobs. The FMCSA requires medical exams to spot any medical conditions that might impair driving. In 2019, the FMCSA reported that 4.2% of drivers failed these exams due to health issues.
Regular health checks detect emerging issues early, allowing timely intervention. This proactive approach maintains drivers’ well-being and promotes safer operations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)reports that drivers with regular health screenings have a 16% lower rate of medical-related accidents.
Driver Fitness/Fatigue Management
Driver fatigue is a significant risk factor in the transportation industry. Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, enforced by the FMCSA, are designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents by limiting the number of hours drivers can work without rest. In 2020, driver fatigue was a factor in 13% of fatal truck crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Adhering to these regulations is essential to confirm that drivers are well-rested and alert while on the road.
In addition to HOS regulations, implementing rest and wellness programs can further enhance driver fitness. These programs promote adequate rest, physical fitness, and overall health, helping drivers stay in peak condition. According to the FMCSA, well-rested drivers are 30% less likely to be involved in accidents.
Cybersecurity Measures
In today’s digital world, it is vital to protect sensitive information about drivers, routes, and cargo. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures helps prevent data breaches in transportation operations. The ATA reports over $10 billion in annual costs for cyber-attacks in this industry. Using technologies like firewalls, encryption, and secure communication channels can protect against cyber threats and reduce the risk of data breaches by 45%
Holistic Safety Programs Work
Over-the-road transportation of products and materials provides the essentials needed for our daily lives. Preserving the safety and smooth operation of the commercial trucking industry is in everyone’s interest and is a matter of national security.
Implementing a holistic OTR safety program should be a priority for every stakeholder. Such protocols must include provisions for each of the crucial factors affecting the industry’s daily operations: pre-hire background checks, PostHire’s Continual Workforce Screening, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle monitoring, driver health and fitness screening, emergency preparedness training, and cybersecurity measures.
Since most of the key elements of a holistic safety program require ongoing testing and training, it follows logically that continuous background screening is essential to reinforce a comprehensive safety protocol. Implementing a Continuous Workforce Screening program, a 24/7 active background check, notifies an organization within minutes of an individual becoming a risk to its assets and operations.
Contact Peter Collins, PostHire’s Chief Revenue Officer, at peter@posthire.com to arrange for a free 90-day workforce screening today.
