This page is a archive of news events from 2016 from our website:
Our active Safety News page can be found here
August 2016
Starting July 1, 2017, Ontario drivers who want to take the Class A( tractor trailer) road test will first be required to successfully complete a mandatory entry-level training course. Trucknews has this good news story here.
Notice from Vehicle Compliance regarding load securement issue with roll on roll off containers read here
July 2016
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is soliciting interest from industry to participate in a New Generation Wide Base Single Tire pilot project. This project aims to study the impact of these tires on provincial infrastructure, which will help develop policy and regulation in the future.
Hazard Alert – Labour Canada – Loading and unloading flatbed trucks at shipping and receiving sites
Background
A number of serious incidents have occurred whereby truck drivers were fatally injured or suffered amputations when unstable freight fell from a flatbed trailer and struck the driver. These accidents occurred during loading or unloading operations at sites not under the control of the driver’s employer, and when motorized material handling equipment was being operated by employees of the sites receiving the material. Drivers have a vital role in the proper loading of their trucks, because they are responsible for the road-worthiness and stability of the load. Unstable loads may consist of pipe, timber, or other materials.
Hazards
Factors that can lead to accidents or injury on or around flatbed trailers while loading or unloading loads include:
being unfamiliar with the flow of work in an active environment at the customers site;
failing to maintain good communications with the operator of the materials handling equipment;
using an unknown or untrustworthy means of securing freight during the loading process;
working or standing in an area where the load could fall if it shifts during the loading process;
assisting in a loading or unloading process with which the driver is not familiar;
becoming distracted during the process by performing other tasks, like preparing straps or chains; and
having little or no direction from a supervisor, or not having a procedure to follow.
Eliminating and Controlling the Hazard
Drivers must be aware of the following measures that can help prevent accidents and injuries during the loading or unloading of materials onto or off of flatbed trucks:
be aware of all hazards;
know the employer’s hazard prevention program and how it applies at a customer’s site;
use all the safety materials available at the site such chocks wedges cradles, shoring bars, tiedown strapping or dunnage;
work cooperatively with others involved in the process;
work within the controls or procedures set out by their employer and those of the shipper or receiver;
keep a safe distance from the load in case of a sudden shift;
develop a method for tying down the load to avoid working at heights without fall protection;
ensure the stability of the trailer’s air suspension when heavy loads are applied or removed; and
be aware of the right to refuse to work if a process appears dangerous.
Legislative Requirements
Employers shall ensure that the health and safety of employees working during the process of loading or unloading of a truck is protected at all sites. The Canada Labour Code Part II extends beyond the conventional work place and requires that employers ensure that the health and safety of employees is protected while conducting all work activities. Regulations require that hazards be known, quantified and controlled.
The Hazard Prevention Program found in Part XIX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR) requires employers to identify hazards in the workplace. The Labour Program’s Hazard Prevention Program Guide provides assistance in implementing a hazard prevention program that meets Part XIX of the COHSR.
To ensure the health and safety of employees on site while loading or unloading a truck, employers must consult the Policy Health and Safety Committee (where they exist) or the Work Place Health and Safety Committee or Representative to:
identify and assess hazards associated with working in unfamiliar work places;
identify and assess hazards associated with working with each and every type of load the driver may carry;
implement adequate control measures to address the assessed hazards, which could include using “no-go” zones during the loading process or simply not being involved;
train drivers on safe working procedures for loading and unloading the trailer; and
train employees on how to safely operate the necessary equipment.
For further information on hazards associated with loading and unloading see the following publications “Aches and Pains – Loading and Unloading a Truck” and “Tarping and Untarping on a Flatbed Trailer”.
Older news archive is located here
June 21, 2016
The results are in, here are the results for the Atlantic Driving Championships 2016. A bright sunny day made this remarkable day even more fun. NSTSA is pleased to be part of this exciting day by volunteering to help. Thanks to all the volunteers to make this a super successful day at Commercial Safety College in Masstown. full story
June 20, 2016
With school over for summer this week in Nova Scotia and many other provinces, NSTSA is urging drivers to keep focused around playgrounds and parks as more kids will be playing. Here are some safety tips for drivers to keep in mind as they drive through communities in and around Nova Scotia.
June 7, 2016
Today NSTSA is pleased to announce our partnership with Palmer Atlantic Insurance & Risk on a campaign called
Ready For the Road Week.This campaign coincides with International Roadcheck June 7 – 9, 2016. Ready For the Road Week is themed around sharing our roads safely with all that travel on our roads. More details on the Ready For the Road Week Campaign here.
June 6, 2016
CVSA’s 2016 International Roadcheck Three-Day Enforcement Campaign to Take Place June 7-9 with Special Emphasis on Tire Safety
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 29th annual International Roadcheck will take place June 7-9, 2016. International Roadcheck is a 72-hour period when approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, territorial and federal inspectors in jurisdictions across North America perform large truck and bus safety inspections.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during a 72-hour period.
Older news archive is located here
May 2016
May 18, 2016
CVSA’s 2016 International Roadcheck Three-Day Enforcement Campaign to Take Place June 7-9 with Special Emphasis on Tire Safety
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 29th annual International Roadcheck will take place June 7-9, 2016. International Roadcheck is a 72-hour period when approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, territorial and federal inspectors in jurisdictions across North America perform large truck and bus safety inspections.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during a 72-hour period.
During the annual three-day event, CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver safety. Here is a list of the elements checked during a Level 1 inspection. Here is a great article called Five Things Your Drivers Don’t Know About Roadside Inspections. Click HERE to read the rest of this article on CVSA’s 2016 International Roadcheck article.
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.4 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the North American roadside inspection program.
May 1, 2016
Nova Scotia Trucking Safety has created a Driver Resource Page with links to required regulations, marine services bridge services and weather services. If you are a driver and have other resources you would like to share please feel free to drop us a line and let us know.
Our active Safety News page can be found here