Safety

Teamsters, safety orgs cite driver fatigue concerns in petitions to delay HOS final rule

Advocates praise the flexibility the revised regulations promise, but the petitions argue FMCSA does not take into account historical data and public safety. 

By S.L. Fuller • July 02, 2020

Lawsuit worries heighten as awards increase, social-distancing measures lift

Tort cases are top of mind, though related financial burdens and rising insurance costs are industry concerns beyond the pandemic.

By Jim Stinson • July 01, 2020

HR management report: Small businesses reopening with flexibility and optimism

Business owners are re-evaluating business protocols while also working to retain clients and avoid lawsuits, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

By Sheryl Estrada • June 29, 2020

Trucking braces for next phase of coronavirus

Wave, sequel or fade: Trucking officials say March prepared them for a new possible spate of infections and shutdowns.

By Jim Stinson • June 29, 2020

The unpredictable market's effects on driver turnover, recruitment

Drivers may flock to carriers who restart operations earlier and haul in-demand loads such as CPG products for grocers and retailers.

By Lori Lovely • June 25, 2020

'The virus is not done with us': Carriers foresee lingering COVID-19 challenges

Trucking firms are likely struggling with lack of freight, closed customers, low rates and driver absenteeism, Morgan Stanley said.

By Jim Stinson • June 19, 2020

How XPO, Estes kept workers safe and planned around coronavirus

Communication and technology have become big parts of the new normal for trucking, executives said.

By Jim Stinson • June 17, 2020

1 in 4 employees at high risk for COVID-19 as workplaces reopen

Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation could throw a wrench in employers' plans to reopen as more than half of states report rising infections.

By Rebecca Pifer • June 15, 2020

OSHA advises masks be worn in the workplace

As employers devise reopening plans, masks are just one factor for fleets to consider.

By Kate Tornone , Aman Kidwai • June 15, 2020

From PPE to Plexiglass, fleets seek ways to stem virus spread

Fleet operator Charlotte Solid Waste Services installed plastic dividers to address worker safety risks in truck cabs, but concerns over glare could limit widespread adoption.

By Lori Lovely • June 11, 2020

Fleets focus on driver safety as protests spread to roadways

"There is not one load of cargo that's more important than the driver," said one trucking CEO.

By Jim Stinson • June 08, 2020

LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics launch COVID-19 return-to-work services

Among other services, the labs said they will offer on-site testing and employee-health questionnaires.

By Kate Tornone • June 02, 2020

OSHA COVID-19 guidance details how to determine if employee illness is work related

The agency is reinstating enforcement of recordkeeping related to the coronavirus, it said in a memo. 

By Kim Slowey • June 01, 2020

Breaking down the benefits: Fleets welcome final HOS rule

Proponents of the FMCSA's final rule tout the flexibility it gives drivers, which is all the more important during pandemic-driven uncertainty.

By Amanda Loudin • June 01, 2020

Hirschbach moves all training online, spurred by the pandemic

The switch to digital hiring and training is made easier because the fleet usually hires drivers with experience on the road and a CDL ready to use.

By Jim Stinson • May 29, 2020

ATA pushes Congress for temporary tort protections as businesses reopen

"As we move from the crisis to recovery, we should be supporting truck drivers and ambulance drivers, not ambulance chasers," ATA's EVP of advocacy said.

By Jim Stinson • May 29, 2020

Coronavirus hits Michigan freight movement hardest, Inrix finds

The corridor from Michigan to Texas has the lion's share of North America's automotive assembly plants and their 1,000 suppliers. Production shutdowns caused major freight changes in the central part of the U.S.

By Jim Stinson • May 13, 2020

Coronavirus pushes fleets to rethink the last mile

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into route optimization planning and could accelerate e-commerce in the long term.

By Jim Stinson • April 21, 2020

PPE shortages, driver health spell further trouble for trucking

FEMA, Congress, industry groups and fleets have flagged the health of drivers as a growing concern as the coronavirus persists.

By Jim Stinson • UPDATED: April 21, 2020 at 11:52 a.m.

Coronavirus drives fleets toward tech for training, recruitment

COVID-19 gives no rest to fleets from the crucial task of recruiting and training drivers and has pushed carriers to move the processes online.

By Jim Stinson • April 06, 2020

Daimler limits production as Paccar, Mack extend shutdowns

Market forces and social distancing are keeping OEMs offline longer than anticipated.

By Jim Stinson • UPDATED: April 7, 2020 at 8:57 a.m.

COVID-19 treatment, tests could increase employers' 2020 healthcare costs by 7%

Costs per infected person were estimated at $250 for mild cases, $2,500 for moderate cases, $30,000 for severe cases and close to $100,000 for catastrophic cases.

By Ryan Golden • April 01, 2020

ATA: Trucking will benefit from $2.2T stimulus bill

The American Trucking Associations praised the bill for allowing smaller businesses to get disaster-related loans.

By Jim Stinson • March 30, 2020

Canada issues HOS exemptions for coronavirus response

The list of freight qualified for the hours-of-service exemption is identical in the U.S. and Canada. But there are more rules to follow north of the border. 

By S.L. Fuller • March 26, 2020

CVSA postpones Roadcheck, citing need to keep trucks in service during coronavirus outbreak

Industry groups urged CVSA to postpone the event, as many trucks are busy moving essential goods. 

By S.L. Fuller • March 26, 2020