Transportation Bill Loaded with Safety Initiatives, FMCSA Says

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The highway bill passed earlier this summer directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to complete 29 new rulemakings over the next 27 months, including a requirement for a final electronic logging device rule by October of 2013, agency officials said Monday.

In a briefing before the agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, John Drake, FMCSA’s director of governmental affairs, said federal regulators will be busy the next few years not only meeting mandates for new regulations, but also responding to congressional requirements to implement 34 programmatic changes and complete 15 reports.

Between now and early 2013 alone, FMCSA plans to issue a remedial electronic logging device supplemental proposed rule, a proposed safety fitness determination rule, a final unified registration system rule, a drug and alcohol clearing hours proposed rule, and a “patterns of safety violations” proposed rule that will focus on truck and bus executives who turn a blind eye to unsafe business practices.

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CTHRC initiatives move forward while feds' funding refocused

OTTAWA, Ont. -- Federal grants and contribution programs that support the work of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) are in the midst of a comprehensive change, but according to CTHRC officials, several existing initiatives will continue as planned while the new funding model is established.

"Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) recently unveiled plans to refocus the Sector Council Program, phasing out core funding and some elements of project funding by March 31, 2013," says CTHRC executive director Angela Splinter. "This funding will be replaced by a refocused grants and contribution program to support many vital human resources priorities."

The new approach will use calls for proposals to focus on labour market intelligence, National Occupational Standards, and certification/accreditation regimes. Sector councils like CTHRC will also be able to submit funding proposals through HRSDC initiatives such as the Foreign Credential Recognition Program and the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.

"The CTHRC is already actively involved in each of these areas of interest," Splinter says. "And we will be exploring every emerging funding avenue or partnership opportunity to support the Council's future work."

Meanwhile, the task of developing effective HR tools for the trucking industry will continue. Ongoing projects for 2011-12 include tools for hiring new Canadians (The Foreign Credential Recognition Project), updated labour market information (via surveys and other data), the latest volume in CTHRC's HR series (Your Guide to Human Resources: Volume 3), and research into the link between licensing standards and safety.

"Projects like these are more important to the trucking industry than ever before," says Gord Peddle, chair of the CTHRC's board of directors. "We know the shortage of skilled workers will continue to intensify, particularly as a growing number of employees approach their retirement years. Tools like those offered by CTHRC will help us to identify emerging trends, welcome new Canadians who are vital to our industry's future, and enhance skills development for key occupations in need."

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