Truckers, if you are concerned about hours of service but cannot make it to one of four FMCSA listening sessions starting this week, you still have plenty of opportunity to make your voices heard. The following is a handy guide to submitting comments online, by phone, by mail and by fax.

Let’s start with a convenient shortcut to the online comment form. To avoid wading through multiple steps, simply click here and follow the “Submit Comment” link. For helpful hints, including how to file comments anonymously, check out this “how to file” list of instructions compiled by Land Line Magazine.

When filing online, you will need to provide the following document ID: FMCSA-2004-19608-3573.

Speaking up now can make a difference in how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration develops a new rule. Remember, this is a new administration and they want to hear from you. The FMCSA is particularly interested in hearing about on-duty hours, the 60- and 70-hour rule, sleeper berth use, loading/unloading time and rest periods.

The public is welcome to attend upcoming listening sessions Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Washington, DC, area; Friday, Jan. 22, in Dallas; Monday, Jan. 25, in Los Angeles; and Thursday, Jan. 28, in Davenport, IA. Click here for the locations and addresses. Note that the Davenport session has the best truck parking at a nearby Flying J.

OOIDA plans to have representatives at each session to help members make a strong impression.

The first session is being webcast live at the following link: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/dot/100119/. Viewers of the webcast will have an opportunity to leave comments.

During all four events, the public can call 866-216-6835 and enter an access code to make a comment. Click here to view the list of access codes and the available times to call.

For mailing or faxing comments, you will need to provide the following docket number: FMCSA-2004-19608. Don’t forget to check out Land Line’s “how to file” instructions for some helpful hints.

The official mailing address for comments on hours of service is: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

The fax number is 202-493-2251.

Those are the official channels. If you have a Facebook account, click here to join an HOS discussion group moderated by OOIDA. If you have any questions, just ask or call OOIDA at 800-444-5791.

– By David Tanner, staff writer
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Washington authorities cited and fined one large motor carrier this summer after finding that the carrier didn’t provide consistent in-cab heat for a company driver.

Gordon Trucking of Pacific, WA, was fined $1,000 in June by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The state alleged that Gordon didn’t ensure its company practices were adequate to make the workplace safe.

“Employees aren’t provided a means to keep warm in cold temperatures at high altitudes while driving delivery trucks,” the citation read. “Employee truck idle is automatically disabled after approximately five minutes.”

Gordon equips many of its long-haul trucks with bunk heaters and APUs. The complaint alleged that when the truck was parked above about 4,900 feet, the APU heater didn’t work, leaving the driver in the cold.

“Employees could be seriously injured with frostbite, hypothermia, or even death,” the complaint said.

Elaine Fischer, spokeswoman with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, said Gordon Trucking proved that the state could not show any incident occurred while the truck was parked in Washington, bringing into question whether the state had jurisdiction.

The state later dropped the case after Gordon Trucking appealed, but a state labor spokeswoman said it would investigate and pursue similar claims if they’re reported.

“We could certainly look into it if it’s for work being performed in our state,” Fischer said. “It’s up to the employer to assess hazards their employees might encounter in the workplace.”

Joe Rajkovacz, OOIDA regulatory affairs specialist, said the labor complaint could be just the first of many as companies prevent idling to save diesel and comply with an increasing number of local truck idling limits.