National Safety Code SAFE Companies Revised 2010 Audits Regulations for Light Truck Carriers
Introduction The intent of this information is to give Light Truck Carriers explanation on the National Safety Code, especially to those that will be working interprovincially and may not understand or be prepared for all of the rules and requirements that apply to them. The main objective of the National Safety Code Regulations is to reduce the risk of fatigue-related commercial vehicle collisions by providing drivers with the opportunity to obtain additional rest.
What is the National Safety Code? A set of 16 national standards supported by provincial regulations. The program establishes management and performance requirements for commercial carriers. The NSC standards establish minimum safety standards for commercial vehicles and drivers
What vehicles included in NSC program? Commercial vehicles licensed with a gross vehicle weight of more than 5,000 kg. Vehicles operating under the Passenger Transportation Act. Commercial Vehicles that have a seating capacity of 10 or more passengers plus the driver.
Where do NSC standards apply? Anywhere in Canada The NSC is the baseline and all province must meet the standard. That being said, some provinces have made changes, increasing their provincial standards.
Carrier Safety Practices Are Monitored The NSC program office monitors all carriers in British Columbia. Each carrier in BC is given a safety rating. This rating is determined by: your on-road performance, and your record-keeping and safety-monitoring performance (if your business has been audited by a carrier safety inspector). Your safety rating is shown on the front page of your Carrier Profile. Your safety rating may be: Satisfactory- Unaudited Satisfactory Conditional or Unsatisfactory Regardless of your carrier profile, your safety rating will be Satisfactory- Unaudited until you have been audited.
Can my NSC Number be Cancelled? If a carrier s record does not improve significantly after a warning letter, safety plan self assessment and audit, your NSC number will be cancelled. There is serious concern about a carrier s safety performance. Without an NSC number, you will not be able to insure your vehicles.
When Does the NSC Apply? Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings BC - 5000kg or - 11, 794kg Attaining Drivers Abstract, pre trips, maintenance records OR Once in to AB/ interprovincial 4500kg Same as above PLUS Hours of Service requirements i.e. Logbook completion
Home Terminal Exemption Not required to complete a logbook if: Driver operates the vehicle within 160km of home terminal, AND Driver returns to home terminal each day to begin a minimum of 8 consecutive hours off duty However, the Carrier must keep records showing for each day, driver s duty status, elected cycle, start time of each day, and keep records for minimum of 6 months
Home Terminal Exemption Cont d Home Terminal exemptions won t really work for Silviculture Carriers. Detailed information is still required to be maintained but could be done so by the Carrier and not the Driver which really isn t a feasible option. The individuals this will work for are those with punch cards, clocking in and out of shifts.
Personal Use A commercial motor vehicle within the definition is considered personal use if: The vehicle is unloaded Any trailers have been unhitched Division 37.11 (g) of MVA Regulations The distance travelled does not exceed 75km per day The driver makes a notation in the daily log indicating the odometer reading at the beginning and end of the personal use, and * The driver is not the subject of an out-of-service declaration
On-Duty An on-duty period begins when a driver begins work (e.g. starts pre-trip inspection) or is required by the carrier to be available to work, except when the driver is waiting to be assigned to work. On-duty period ends when the driver stops work or is relieved of responsibility by the carrier.
On-Duty A Driver is considered ON DUTY if they are: Inspecting, servicing, repairing, conditioning or starting a vehicle Driving the vehicle Traveling in a commercial vehicle as a co-driver, when the time is not spent in the sleeper berth Participating in loading or unloading Inspecting or checking the load of the vehicle Waiting at an en-route point because of an accident Performing any work for the carrier Resting in or occupying a vehicle for any other purpose, except: otime counted as off-duty otime Spent in sleeper berth otime spent in stationary vehicle to satisfy the requirements otime spent in stationary vehicle that is in addition to the off-duty requirements
Off-Duty Division 37.13.02 of MVA Regulations A carrier must not request, require or allow a driver to drive and a driver must not drive after the driver has accumulated: 13 hours of driving time unless the driver takes at least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time before driving again. 14 hours of on-duty time unless the driver take 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time before driving again. 16 hours of elapsed time between the conclusion of the most recent period of 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time and the beginning of the next period of 8 or more consecutive hours of off-duty time 14 days of working without taking at least 24 hours off-duty. Every 14 days, the driver must take a minimum of 24 hours off SO LONG AS the driver has not exceeded 70 hours (total time i.e. on duty( in a block of 7 days. If 70 hours exceeded, must take 24 hours off duty
Off-Duty The Carrier must ensure that the driver takes and the driver must take at least 10 hours of off-duty time each day Off duty time other than the mandatory 8 consecutive hours may be distributed throughout the day in blocks of no fewer than 30 minutes Off duty time taken by a driver in a day must also include at least 2 hours (off-duty) which is not part of the 8 consecutive hours of off duty time
A Day A 24-hour period beginning at the time designated by the carrier Each day is independent, and there are certain on-duty; off-duty & driving limits for each day The start time of the day remains the same throughout each cycle To change the start time of the day: Reset and start a new cycle Rules Minimum of 10 hours of off-duty must be taken every day Off-duty periods minimum 30 minute increments Maximum of 13 hours driving in a day No driving after 14 hours of on-duty in a day
Recap of Work Shift After 13 hours of driving you have to take a minimum 8 consecutive hours off duty before you can drive again. After 14 hours of on-duty you have to take a minimum 8 consecutive hours off duty before you can drive again. Maximum of 16 hours (elapsed time) Time period which starts the instant you are on duty after having just taken minimum 8 hours off duty Includes all time 24 hrs 8 consecutive hours off-duty resets the work shift. Sleeper berth rest periods are not counted in the 16 hour duty period when they qualify for the sleeper berth rest provision
Cycles Driver can reset a cycle at any time by taking: 36 consecutive hours off to reset Cycle 1 72 consecutive hours off to reset Cycle 2 Mandatory 24 hours off in 14-days (regardless of cycle) Applies regardless of amount of on-duty time accumulated
Cycles 70 hours within a maximum of 7 days Followed by 24 hours off after a maximum of 14 days so long as within a 7 day set, the hours did not exceed 70 hours (total time i.e. on duty time) OR 36 hours off to reset cycle 120 hours within a maximum of 14 days Followed by 24 hours off after the first 70 then continue with the cycle 72 hours off to reset
Beginning of the day Division 37.18.02 of MVA Regulations At the beginning of each day, a carrier must require that a driver enters legibly and the driver must enter legibly the following information: (a) The date, start time if different than midnight, the name of the driver and if the driver is a member of a team of drivers, the names of all drivers (b) The cycle the driver is following (c) License plate number or unit number (d) Odometer reading (e) Name and address of home terminal and principal place of business (f) Remarks section: if driver was not keeping a log, the driver should specify the hours/days of off-duty during past 14 days
End of the day Record the total hours for each duty status Total distance driven by the driver that day excluding personal use Odometer reading Signature at the bottom of the page
Daily Limits - 3 Point Check for Compliance 10 hrs OFF DUTY 8 hrs OFF DUTY Off Duty 10 hrs Driving 13 hrs No driving after 14hrs on duty 24 hr period
Example of completed log book
Example of incorrectly completed log book
Log Book - Times 13hrs OFF DUTY >10 Off-Duty Periods must be at least 30 minutes long or they do not count toward the 10 hours. DRIVING <13 OFF DUTY No driving after 14 hours ON DUTY
Pre and Post Trip Inspections Division 37.23 (4) of MVA Regulation Company daily pre trip inspection = NSC Pre Trip Inspection The trip inspection report shall: (a) State the license plate or unit numbers (b) Specify any defect in the operation of each item (c) State that no defect was discovered or came to the attention of the driver (d) State the date the report is made (d) Contain the signature of the driver or person making the report
Pre and Post Trip Inspections Must have s for the pre-trip inspection: Service brakes Parking brakes Steering mechanism Lighting devices or reflectors Tires Horn Windshield wipers Rear vision mirrors Coupling devices Wheels and rims Emergency equipment Load securement devices
General Rules Sleeper Berths Crummies / ETV s are not considered acceptable Sleeper Berths; there are specific requirements for the compartments. Start Times On the graph, start times must be the same for entire cycle. Driver doesn t have to start at same time everyday but graph must be same everyday. Spare/Back up Drivers Must keep their own log of hours on duty/ off duty and any driving time. Must have previous 14 days worth and logs completed. Minimum days or records vs. max days before submitting Must have 14 days worth of records at all times Once at 20 days, drivers must send originals to principal place of business
Getting Through The Scales Key indicators for Scale Officials to do complete inspection: Head lights or tail lights not working Head lights or tail lights not adequately visible (i.e. covered in mud, snow, dirt, etc.) Cluttered dashboard Equipment improperly placed inside cab or externally on vehicle Anything in the box must be secured See CVSE website Print off brochure 2 on load securement
Work is starting out of BC, where do I start? Logbooks Driver must have 14 days of previous driving completed in their logbooks Dates, signatures, exact locations with province documented X Do not sign the page before the day has finished Pre Trip inspections must be completed and documented (regardless of weight of vehicle). No more than 20 days completed in the logbooks without being sent to the Principle Place of Business (regardless of weight of vehicle). Must not be over in on duty or driving time
Summary Max 13 hours driving Max 14 hours on duty Max 16 hours in a work shift Each shift begins and ends with minimum of 8 consecutive hours off There must be an accumulation of 10 hours off duty time within 24hrs 2 cycles o 70 hrs in 7 days o 120 hrs in 14 days o 24 hrs taken off prior to any period of 70 hours on duty time Ability to reset cycles Each day a minimum of 10 hours must be taken. Preceding 14 days of logs must be retained to confirm 24 hours off at least once in every 14 days Detailed time records
Not an NSC Carrier yet? Where can I get an application? If you have a credit card, you can complete and submit an application and $200 non-refundable application processing fee over the Internet by clicking on the following link for the new NSC Safety Certificate Online Application. http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/national_safety_code/nsc_application.htm
More Information Carrier Safety Guide Meeting Your National Safety Code Obligations in BC http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/national_safety_code/nsc_application.htm
BC Forest Safety Council Transportation and Northern Safety Direct Line: 250-562-3215 Email: transport@bcforestsafe.org