Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010

CSA 2010 is the FMCSA’s Comprehensive Safety Analysis system. Its purpose is to achieve a greater reduction in large truck and bus crashes, injuries, and fatalities in the United States by identifying individual drivers and motor carrier companies that pose safety problems and intervening to address those problems as soon as they become apparent. Starting in Summer, 2010, FMCSA will implement the CSA 2010.

What does this mean?

• Unsafe carrier and driver behaviors that lead to crashes will be identified;
• All safety-based roadside inspection violations will count;
• Drivers will be more accountable for safe on-road performance.

What will the CSA measure?

Within the CSA 2010 Operational Model, the Safety Measurement System (SMS) quantifies the on-road safety performance of carriers and drivers to identify candidates for interventions, to determine the specific safety problems exhibited by a carrier or driver, and to monitor whether safety problems are improving or getting worse. SMS replaces the FMCSA SafeStat in the new operational model.

Every month, SMS will measure the previous two years of roadside violation and crash data and calculate a score in seven safety behavior areas, called BASICs, Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories. They are as follows:

• Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service) – Operation of CMVs by drivers who are ill, fatigued, or in non-compliance with the Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations. This BASIC includes violations of regulations pertaining to logbooks as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of CMV driver fatigue. Example violations: HOS, logbook, and operating a CMV while ill or fatigued.

• Vehicle Maintenance – CMV failure due to improper or inadequate maintenance. Example violations: brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, and failure to make required repairs.

• Cargo-Related – CMV incident resulting from shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials. Example violations: Improper load securement, cargo retention, and size and weight.

• Crash Indicator – Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. It is based on information from State-reported crashes.

• Unsafe Driving – Operation of commercial vehicles (CMVs) by drivers in a dangerous or careless manner. Example violations: speeding, reckless driving, and inattention.

• Driver Fitness – Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. Example violations: failure to have valid and appropriate license, and being medically unqualified to operate a CMV.

• Controlled substances/Alcohol – Operation of CMVs by drivers who are impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Measurement on the above leads to Safety Evaluations, which will determine any safety deficiencies and if a driver or carrier company is unfit; in this case, they will face suspension of their operations. Recent roadside violations and violations that correlate most with crashed will be weighted more heavily than others.

It will become more and more important for UWC’s Carrier Partners to strictly adhere to the BASICs, especially Hours of Service, as the implications for non-compliance are severe. For more information, please visit the CSA 2010 website: http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Temperature Recorders

Temperature recorders (also commonly referred to as temptales or ryan recorders) are one of the most crucial elements of a perishable load. Often, they are of great assistance when temperature issues arise, as they advise of the in-transit temperature history. Find some key elements of temperature recorders below:

Remember the 4 P’s when dealing with temperature recorders: Presence, Position, Placement, and Performance:

· Presence: Customers that require temperature recorders have paid for them, and they should be considered as additional product on the load. It is the driver’s responsibility to check for their presence and ensure that the correct number of recorders are on the truck (for example, if the customer has requested a temptale from each pickup and there are 4 pickups, drivers must make sure that there are a total of 4 temptales on the truck). Drivers must also make sure that the recorder serial number that is on the bill of lading matches the serial number of the actual device. These details are your responsibility and UWC must be notified of any discrepancies!!!

· Position: the position of the recorder is critical to make sure that they provide an accurate reading. UWC advises that they be placed on the 2nd pallet from the tail of the trailer. Generally, this should be observed unless our Customer specifically indicates otherwise.


· Placement: recorders must be placed on the on the top of boxes on the pallet in order to provide an accurate reading. Make sure that the recorder is placed carefully as to not damage it.


· Performance: make sure that the recorder is in good working order and turned on. The recorder will be insignificant if its performance is not verified.

Remember these 4 P’s of temperature recorders to aid in the success of your deliveries. If you need a refresher or assistance in any loading particulars, remember to refer to UWC’s Carrier Loading Guidelines V2 Brochure!! Available in print or online in both English and Spanish!!