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School's Out! Summer is (almost) here! Remember, Safety First! Idealease Safety Bulletin

Jun. 11 2021 Miscellaneous By McCandless Idealease

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Read the latest Idealease Safety Bulletin "School's Out! Summer Is Here! Remember, Safety First!" online, and be sure to sign up to have all future safety bulletins delivered straight to your inbox each week for access to the up-to-date fleet safety news, tips and information!  

Looking for past safety bulletins? Access them at: https://www.idealease.com/safety-compliance/safety-bulletins

WELCOME SUMMER!

Here are a few safety tips for drivers as the school year comes to an end and summertime begins:

  • Use extra caution when driving through school zones as it is an exciting time for kids and they can be preoccupied
  • Be aware that children may be arriving and/or leaving school at different times throughout the day or final week
  • Playground speed limits are in effect year-round. Pay attention!
  • Anticipate the unexpected! Pay attention to clues that would suggest a child is playing nearby.
  • Do an extra check around the back of your vehicle to ensure no children or pets are behind it
  • Watch for bikes, skateboards, children walking, playing, crossing streets! 

HEAT AND YOUR TRUCK

It is important to understand how heat affects the operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle. 

Pay attention to engine coolant and tires during inspections!!

ENGINE COOLANT:

  • It is estimated that 50% of ALL engine failures are associated with an overheat condition 
  • An engine running low on coolant runs the risk of damage to the emission components (ie. exhaust gas recirculation/EGR)
  • Use Extended Life Coolant (ELC) to improve the engine's heat transfer rate by 12-13% over conventional anti-freeze

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF):

  • Quality level sensor in DEF tank can be affected by extreme heat. Keep DEF tank as full as possible to keep the sensor cool.
  • During pre/post trip inspections, the driver should:
    1.  Make sure that the coolant level is within range of the marking on the side of the coolant reservoir.
    2.  If the coolant level is low contact your Idealease service provider immediately for direction.  ELC coolant should be a red/orange color and should be free of dirt, debris, rust, and other contaminants. Do NOT mix with conventional anti-freeze!
    3.  If when operating a CMV a dash light comes on with an overheat warning immediately pull the unit into a safe parking place and contact your Idealease service provider for direction.  Operating the unit in an overheat situation can severely damage the engine.

TIRES:

  • Increased road temperatures can cause more extreme problems when under inflation is present
  • Hot summer temps, under inflated tires, heavy loads and high speeds can be a recipe for disaster
  • Drivers can help minimize tire related issues by:
    • Checking tire pressures more frequently (check while 'cold' and not after operation as pressures can provide a false reading)
    • Inspect tires for damage and punctures during stops and inspections
    • Immediately report tire conditions that need attention to your Idealease service provider


ONE YEAR OF EDUCATIONAL ENFORCEMENT KICKS OFF CANADA'S ELD MANDATE

After years in the making, Canada's ELD mandate is set to become effective 6/12/21. Enforcement, however, will not begin for one year, and an educational enforcement period will be in place until June 2022. 

While carriers still have time to find, select and install certified devices, here are a few commonly asked questions:

Q. What is the compliance date for Canada’s ELD mandate?

A. The mandate is effective on June 12, 2021, and the ELD mandate will be in place. However, enforcement of the mandate will not start until June 2022. All jurisdictions have agreed to defer enforcement for one year.

Q. During the educational enforcement period, what is expected?

A. Carriers and drivers must continue complying with the hours-of-service regulations and continue logging hours as usual for now. Carriers and drivers will not be required to have certified ELDs, as no certified devices are available yet.

Q. Canada requires third-party certification of ELDs. What does this mean?

A. Currently, FPInnovations is the entity approved to certify ELDs in Canada. ELD providers must submit their ELD to FPInnovations for rigorous testing. Once the testing is complete and the ELD provider passes the tests, the ELD will be certified for use in Canada. A list of certified ELD providers will eventually be posted on Transport Canada’s website.

Q. Does a U.S. self-certified device meet Canada’s certification requirement?

A. No. ELDs used in Canada must be third-party certified before they may be used in Canada.

Q. With the adoption of the ELD mandate in Canada, were there any changes to the hours-of-service limits?

A. No. The hours-of-service limits remain the same. Transport Canada made a few technical amendments to the regulation, but none of these updates changed the hours-of-service limits.

Q. Will U.S. carriers that operate into Canada be required to comply with Canada’s ELD mandate? Many already have ELDs.

A. Yes. While many of Canada’s technical specifications are nearly identical to the U.S. ELD specifications, Canada differs in a few areas. This means that US carriers operating into Canada will need to comply with those differences. Again, U.S. carriers and drivers operating into Canada will need to ensure they are using third-party certified ELDs, when available.


CVSA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR BRAKE SAFETY WEEK

Scheduled for August 22-28th with a focus on brake systems and components

Data will be compiled on brake hoses/tubing and a report on its findings will be issued later in the year

This is a great opportunity for motor carriers to educate drivers and maintenance service providers on the importance of brake safety. 

Learn More: https://www.cvsa.org/news/2021-brake-safety-week/ 

*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.