Third party logistics companies (3pl) offer many services to their customers. Hiring carriers to transport goods safely and in a timely manner is just one of the responsibilities of a 3pl provider. Due to the 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA), stricter safety measures are being implemented for truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is at the forefront of executing this plan to further reduce commercial vehicle accidents, deaths and injuries on our highways and roads. In turn, this is putting more responsibility and legwork on the plate for all 3pl companies.
CSA 2010 is a new safety program that truck drivers must participate in. Each individual truck driver’s score will count toward the carrier’s overall federal safety rating. This greatly affects a 3pl provider because they will now be responsible for ensuring that all carriers they contract with are within a reasonable security score. It is suggested that 3pl providers contact carriers to discuss CSA 2010, their current rating, and more information on their safety practices.
With the federal government’s stricter standards for rating trucking companies based on behavior and performance, there is increased pressure on everyone involved to learn more about procedures and statistics. Not only can a carrier, or individual truck driver, face legal repercussions as a result of an accident or injury, but the 3pl that hires them can as well. This is why the FMCSA, through the CSA 2010 initiative, is having carriers and 3PLs review what they are doing to ensure safety precautions are taken before anything is loaded or carried. the streets in a truck.
Safety standards are assessed under the Safety Measurement System (SMS). This is a comprehensive road safety review for every truck driver. The SMS covers the general history of unsafe driving, fatigued driving or length of service, the physical condition and health of the driver, the use of controlled substances or alcohol, the history of participation in accidents, the evaluation of the load and the Knowledge of best practices.
While the FMCSA has rated driver safety in the past, the development of the 2010 CSA takes current safety recommendations to a higher level. The new evaluation structure includes an enhanced compliance review (CR). In addition to more detailed review areas, the new program provides better tailored solutions to address specific problem areas.