DOT Defense (3)
Part 3
The previous article, “DOT Defense Part 1”, started with the premise of having a good hiring policy to help lessen the impacts of Roadside Inspections. Part 2 was about the drivers’ actions before getting on the road.
In Part 3, we will continue to play defense, looking at what the management should and can do.
The first step is for the management to ensure those in key positions are up to date on the DOT regulations and requirements for their roles.
The next item is to review/update/create company policies which address the regulations. One of the policies should be a disciplinary policy. This policy should be clear, concise, realistic, and enforceable.
Then, conduct a training meeting for drivers, mechanics, and management in which an overview of the company policies and regulations are discussed. The first meeting could be a brief overview, and then schedule a series of follow-up meetings to review specific topics with selected team members.
The next step is to inspect what you expect, in terms of DVIR’s, documented repair orders, HOS records, etc.
Then ask for ongoing feedback and make a plan to address the issues in a realistic time frame.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help!
Crown Compliance Advisors LLC
