Maintaining good safety scores requires a knowledge of safety improvement areas and systemic organizational changes that reinforce good behavior. PrePass addresses these issues in a series of whitepapers covering strategies for motor carriers to improve their CSA BASICs safety scores. This new whitepaper reviews safety records related to licensing, training, experience and medical qualifications of drivers. The paper also covers the possession and use of drugs and alcohol, plus  testing that reveals their  misuse.

“BASICs – Improving Driver Fitness and Controlled Substances & Alcohol” details how the Driver Fitness and the Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASICs address regulatory requirements that often affect a driver prior to hiring and outside of commercial motor vehicle operations. These areas can quickly receive enforcement attention and trigger investigations when problems are found.

The whitepaper explains how thorough documentation and rigorous adherence to schedules and appointments are the key to good Driver Fitness and Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASICs scores. You will also discover that improvement in these two BASICs also brings a benefit beyond better scores; they help managers identify and hire the right people, with the right skill set, who are fit and focused.

After reading this whitepaper, you will better understand the need for consistent, thorough and accurate documentation in both driver qualification files and the confidential controlled substances and alcohol files. You may be surprised at what you find. For example, employees who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), but only occasionally drive a truck, are subject to federal licensing and drug-testing regulations, even if they are not employed as a driver.

The whitepaper contains helpful reminders about the CDL renewal process, medical exams and drug tests. It also includes cautions about over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescriptions and the need to meet regulatory deadlines. Important information you may want to share with your drivers.

Start working to improve your SMS BASICs by downloading “BASICs –Improving Driver Fitness and Controlled Substances & Alcohol.” 

You can download the other whitepapers in this series by going to the PrePass Resource Library.