MTA's Partnership with Montana State Fund
MTA is excited about a new partnership with Montana State Fund for workers compensation. Qualifying companies will receive a upfront 8% discount for the renewal year of July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. New policies established during this year could also be eligible. This is in addition to any other return, dividend or discount you may qualify for. See flyer below, In addition to MTA, your insurance agent may be able to answer any questions.
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Date
A Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) change goes into effect in November 2024. This rule requires State Driver License Agencies (SDLAs) to remove the commercial driving privileges from the driver’s license of an individual subject to CMV driving prohibition. This would result in a downgrade of the license until the driver completes the return-to-duty (RTD) process.Â
State Driver License Agencies will be required to query the Clearinghouse prior to issuing, renewing, transferring, or upgrading a commercial driver license to ensure that a driver is not prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle. The department may not issue, renew, transfer, or upgrade a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit when the results of the clearinghouse indicate that driver is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Montana will implement DACH queries on starting October 15, 2024, meaning we will query the Clearinghouse for driver status prior to any issuance. Use Link for more information.
Welcome New Member
Double R Inc. is a railroad contracting company and a trucking operation. Our employees are CDL licensed, BNSF, TWIC, and MSHA certified, to work on multiple types of properties.
Â
Double R Inc offers a fleet of 10 tractors, and over 20 trailers, we haul equipment and materials in 47 states plus Alaska, and Canada. Our fleet of trailers include flatbeds, drop decks, step decks, sidedump, bellydump, grain hoppers, lowboys and 35 ton lowboys. All equipment is owned and operated by Double R.
In Memoriam
In memory of former MMCA(MTA) Executive Director Bernard "Ben" Havdahl who passed away peacefully at home on May 21, 2024. Ben retired from the MTA in 1998 after many years of service. See Link for full obituary.
CVSA's Brake Safety WeekÂ
CVSA's Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31
Â
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced Aug. 25-31 as the dates for this year’s Brake Safety Week.
Â
Brake Safety Week is a commercial motor vehicle and driver inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative, a brake-safety awareness and outreach opportunity, and a brake-related inspection and violation data-collection project.
Â
Inspection and Enforcement
CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout the week, focusing on brake systems and components. Commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.
Â
For this year’s Brake Safety Week, inspectors will focus on the condition of brake linings and pads. Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.
Â
In addition, some jurisdictions have performance-based brake testers (PBBT) and will be using them during Brake Safety Week. A PBBT is a machine that assesses the braking performance of a vehicle.
Â
Awareness and Outreach
Educational efforts by inspectors, motor carriers and others in the industry take place during Brake Safety Week and are integral to the success of the campaign.
Â
In addition to educational outreach by law enforcement agencies, transportation safety organizations and individual officers, CVSA also aims to help prepare drivers, motor carriers, owner-operators and mechanics for this year’s Brake Safety Week.
View the inspector’s inspection procedure.
Download a checklist that outlines the tools needed to inspect S-cam brakes, what to look for and how to measure pushrod stroke.
Learn about the components of the vehicle that the inspector will check.
Download a flyer with 10 brake lining and pad tips.
Brake Safety Week also serves as a reminder to drivers and motor carriers of the importance of a proactive vehicle maintenance program and provides an opportunity for law enforcement to highlight the importance of brake safety.
Â
Data Collection
Throughout Brake Safety Week, inspectors will capture data about brake inspections and violations and report that data directly to CVSA. In addition to general inspection and violation data, CVSA will also be collecting data about brake linings/pads, the focus area for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. PBBT jurisdictions will also submit PBBT-specific data. CVSA will collect and analyze all data submissions and report the results publicly later this year.
Â
Why Conduct Brake Safety Week?
Brake-related violations comprise the largest percentage of all out-of-service vehicle violations cited during roadside inspections. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2023 vehicle violation data, six out of the top 20 vehicle violations were brake related. And last year’s CVSA International Roadcheck results showed that brake-system violations was the top vehicle violation, comprising 25.2% of all vehicle out-of-service violations during that three-day data snapshot of roadside inspections.
Â
Brake Safety Week aims to improve commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The goal is to eliminate roadway crashes caused by braking systems on commercial motor vehicles by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
Will's Safety Message
Ever sign a JSA? Read on for information about job safety analysis shared by safeopedia.
What Is a Job Safety Analysis?
A Job  Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), is a technique used to examine all aspects of a specific job-related task in order to identify hazards before they cause accidents.
According to OSHA, a JSA must focus on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. After hazards have been identified, employers must then take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level.
Benefits of a Job Safety Analysis
The purpose of a JSA is to help employers prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. In addition to this, they have a number of direct and indirect benefits, including:
Establishing proper job procedures
Ensuring that all employees are properly trained
Identifying previously unnoticed hazards
Reducing workers’ compensation costs
Increasing worker productivity
Assisting with regulatory compliance
Maintaining a healthier workforce
Allowing employees to feel better about their jobs
When Should You Conduct a Job Safety Analysis?
You should conduct a JSA for all job roles. OSHA does, however, recommend giving priority to the following job types:
Jobs with the highest injury, illness, and fatality rates
Jobs with the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness, even if there is no history of previous accidents
Jobs where one simple human error can lead to a severe accident or injury
Jobs that are new to the company's operations or have undergone changes in processes and procedures
Jobs complex enough to require written instructions
1.     Get your employees involved. Discuss what you are going to do and why.
2.     Review your accident record. Review the company’s accident history with your employees.
3.     Conduct a preliminary job review. Discuss with your employees the hazards they face in their current job task and work environment.
4.     Set priorities.
5.     Outline the steps or tasks.
6.     Identify the hazards.
7.     Develop preventive measures.
8.     Review and finalize the JSA.
Â
Contact Will for more information, or to get JSA’s started at your workplace.
Stay Safe!
Comments