Magazine - Kentucky Trucking Association
Transcription
Magazine - Kentucky Trucking Association
KENTUCKY 3rd Quarter 2015 TRUCKER Official PublicatiOn Of the KentucKy trucKing assOciatiOn 2015 KTA Convention Safety Director of the Year David Guess, Usher Transport www.kentuckytrucker.com 2015 KTA & ATA Driver of the Year-Hylan Grise DIVISION OF R Family Owned Since 1958 Your source for new and used trailers Featuring: Petroleum Operations Mid-American Truck Transfer Systems for rail cars Bulk Lubricants Railroad Refueling Operations Bill Usher, Jr., President | Alan Usher, Vice President Far Right- Founder, Harlan Usher & 1st Truck. Chemical Operations Asphalt & Elevated Temp. Materials Specific Tanks Designed for Specific Operations such as Acids & Corrosives Crude Oil Operations Contact our Sales Staff in Louisville, KY. Jesse Gosman | Ryan Usher Sales & Marketing Managers _____________________________________________________ Louisville, Kentucky Terminal, Operations Director: Eric Mink www.stoops.com BUILT FOR THE WORK YOU DO. KENTUCKY TRUCKER 3rd Quarter 2015 From the President’s Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Publisher Melissa Zink Where the Rubber Meets the Road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Executive Editor Jamie Fiepke You work hard every day—and you count on rugged, reliable products to keep your operation up and running. For over a century, Whayne has helped customers like you get the job done, with equipment that meets the demands of the world’s toughest industries. Today, that includes the only vocational trucks worthy of the Cat® name. Advertising Sales Melissa Zink Publication Design Lanham Media Service www.DesignPrintCafe.com Printing Charles Smith Post Printing, Lexington, KY LARGE INVENTORY KTA STAFF OF 2015 & 2016 CAT TRUCKS AT WHAYNE President/CEO Jamie Fiepke [email protected] AVAILABLE MODELS: CT660S, CT660L, CT681 | CT680 COMING SOON! Director of Communications Melissa Zink [email protected] ENGINE: Cat CT13 Engine Director of Safety Glynn Powers [email protected] HORSEPOWER: 430 hp and 475 hp available AVAILABLE TRANSMISSIONS: Cat CX31 Automatic Eaton Ultrashift (Ultrashift + FO-17E308LL-VCS) 8LL Manual (RTO(F)-16908LL) kentuckytruckingassociation@ kytrucking.net “To promote the trucking industry by educating governmental entities, the general public, customers and related industry groups through advocacy, career development, and the supporting of value-added programs which enhance industry safety and productivity.” SUSPENSIONS: Hendrickson & Chalmers20k Front | 46k Rear BRANDON DUMP BODIES IN-STOCK Various specs available | QUADS Available CAT FINANCING AVAILABLE 1-800-494-2963 Kentucky Trucking Association 617 Shelby Street Frankfort, KY 40601 502.227.0848 ~ Fax 502.227.0849 www.kytrucking.net WHAYNE.COM Contents Frictionless Freight/Trucking Driver Credits TND™ 760 with Saving the Day Visual Search Techniques Did You Know? - Interesting Facts About Kentucky’s Trucking Industry Are You Fiscally Fit?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Employee Background Check Tips IRS Updates Transportation Industry Per Diem Rates The Political Pulse.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Kentucky Part of $25 Million Grant for Big Rig Parking Here’s What’s Happening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Female Commercial Drivers on the Rise James Hylan Grise Recognized as National Driver of the Year Workplace Wrap-Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Kentucky Employers Enjoy Tax Break Membership Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 2015 Annual Leadership & Management Convention Lake Barkley Member Events Calendar of Events Sometimes People Must Come Together for a Mission Thank You Since 1954, the American Transportation Research Institute and its predecessor have been the trucking industry’s source for scientific data and analysis on the many high priority issues facing freight transportation today. If you or your company has not contributed in the past, now is the time to step up and do your part. Step up and leave your footprint for the good of the industry. Visit www.atri-online.org to explore your giving opportunities. Photo: NASA 4 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 5 FROM THE President’s Desk Jamie Fiepke, President/CEO Frictionless Freight/Trucking I find the phrase “frictionless freight/trucking” to be very intriguing. Brian McLaughlin, President of PeopleNet, used that phrase at their recent user conference. McLaughlin said the transportation industry already has many of the tools necessary to make the kind of landmark advancements other industries have. In a series of analogies, he noted that perhaps the biggest change in transportation was space travel, and recalled the inception of NASA’s Space Shuttle program. “Imagine you’re the engineer sitting in a lab and your boss comes in and says, ‘Okay, I’ve got a challenge for you. We’ve got 185,000 tons; we need it to go 17,500 mph in 8 minutes or everybody dies. You in?’ And they reinvented space travel,” McLaughlin told the audience. “The same rules apply to us in terms of how things have been rethought and technology has enabled a new way of doing things.” Space travel also provides the transportation industry a theoretical goal on which to set its sights: frictionless freight. “It’s no barriers,” McLaughlin said. “Transportation is really quite simple: move a good from A to B. How do we remove all the barriers that get in your way so we can move things better?” “How can we take out the barriers or friction points that keep you from going from A to B?” McLaughlin asked. Why is Frictionless Freight Important? Our economy and consumer needs have changed over the past several years. The speed in which consumers and manufacturers want their product has increased drastically with the advancement of technology. Overnight delivery used to be the gold standard. Today, same day delivery is the gold standard. Tomorrow the standard maybe within the hour. Technology has made us a very impatient society. To be able to meet that new standard the supply chain has to be extremely efficient. In the trucking world we have to remove all barriers that create friction. Regulations The burden of complying with all the regulations create friction points. State and federal laws/regulations create friction on multiple levels, but let’s stick with moving freight from point A to B. Think about all the business dealings you have with the state to move freight in Kentucky from licensing, permitting, fuel taxes, use taxes, and safety compliance. For example, to move an oversized load in Kentucky there 6 Kentucky Trucker are multiple points of friction. In Kentucky, there are regulations that limit oversized and overweight loads from operating certain times of the day. There are certain routes or work zones which need to be communicated to the driver. If you want an oversized permit you are required to work with the state on getting a permit and routing information. Today in order to license your truck, it is necessary to make 2 trips, one to your county clerk and one to Frankfort. All of which is necessary, but can it be done more efficiently? Is it to take the licensing and permitting process completely online? Do we need to look at the state trucking regulations to eliminate points of friction? The advancement in technology makes all this possible sooner rather than later. In Kentucky we have already been working with online applications that reduce freight friction. E-credentialing or E-license plates aren’t too far off in the future. There is still much work to be done convincing state and federal agencies to adapt and accept these technological advancements. There is progress on the federal level as they have adopted a couple of new regulations that are making certain processes more efficient. The medical card process is well on its way to becoming more efficient. There is still a ways to go, but in the future the needs for a paper card will reduce and hopefully be eliminated. However, today a driver needs to call or email the state to find out if their documents have been processed. The ability to check your driver’s medical card status online is now available in Kentucky. In the future we hope motor carriers and drivers will be able to check their CDL status with a simple point and click. The electronic logging mandate is going to impact the supply chain. In my mind, E-logs make trucking an extension of the manufacturing line. Any points of friction while taking freight from point A to B will be a problem for the company, shipper, receiver and driver. In the manufacturing world when a line goes down for any period of time that is a major problem. With e-logs when a truck is shut down due to traffic congestion, maintenance, slow loading or unloading, this impacts the driver’s ability to move their freight. Any point of friction will now be accounted for which will force everyone in the freight moving business to become more accountable. Shippers and receivers will need to make adjustments by havKentucky Trucking Association ing more drop and hook operations. Drivers will be encouraged to make adjustments by limiting their stops and planning much better. Smart Cities/Smart Roadside Part of the solution could come with the trend toward making trucks into mobile Wi-Fi hotspots through which the vehicles’ range of sensors and other data-gathering devices might be linked. “There are dozens of things that we can begin to connect through a central gateway off that truck,” McLaughlin said. “Tires, fuel, parts, whatever it might be — how do we wrap these in and drive them to higher value?” The amount of data trucks will create in the future is incredible. We will then question how that data can be used to improve the way freight moves in our country? How will we get data to the trucks which will help trucks avoid points of friction? As early as 1991, Pre-Pass was created with its core principle of reducing friction. One particular point of friction for commercial trucks is the scale house. There has always been real monetary value in a truck bypassing the scale. This is a very good example of the frictionless freight concept, when a company has a good safety program they can pass through a scale at high speeds. DriveWyze is another solution that is entering the screening world. This technology is also a good example of an infrastructure to vehicle communication. The scale house communicates with the commercial truck giving the truck a green or red light. A concept suck as this needs to be expanded to work zones, low bridges, high crash corridors, high rollover areas, and even highway classifications. Communicating a potential safety hazard well before the driver or vehicles enters those hot spots will help create a frictionless movement of freight. In the City of Louisville a local bridge is hit by trucks on a regular basis, as a matter of fact it is hit enough it made the local news. The bridge acts like a really large can opener. State and city agencies have posted signage as well as sensors to alert the driver about the low bridge. Even with these efforts trucks are still attempting to go under the bridge. The next step would be to get that information into the cab of the truck in the form of a voice warning. The Notify Every Truck program in Kentucky is another good example of reducing friction. When a highway in Kentucky is shutdown a subscriber (free) is notified of that delay, along with an estimate of how long it will be shut down. This allows the motor carrier to avoid that area or seek alternative routes. It has evolved from a Louisville only program to a state wide program, hopefully in the future it will be a standard piece in the various traffic applications like WAZE. We have to be smarter in determining the locations of future placement of industrial centers or logistic hubs in the state. Officials need to make sure they are always attached to freight moving highways. Every road that is planned and designed in the future should be built for trucks. When highKyTrucking.net ways, streets, or roads are built only to move people it creates freight friction. Recent data reports 80 percent of the communities in Kentucky receive their goods by truck, communities need to have infrastructure to support that freight movement. With the projected growth in freight over the next 25 years it is even more important we have a Freight Planning Committee at the state level. Safety Technology has had it’s greatest impact in the area of safety. Motor carriers are embracing technology to improve their overall safety. Online training makes the process of training drivers located throughout the country more efficient or frictionless. Telematics makes it easier for trucks to communicate with their shops and safety departments. Drive cams help companies see near misses or correct poor driving behaviors preventing future crashes. Anti-collision technology is improving each day making the trucks safer and more efficient. We are just scratching the surface of the potential of technology in our industry. The data that commercial trucks, cities, and state agencies generate needs to transition from their individual silos to synchronization. There are always those within the industry as well as those at the state and federal level that will oppose or will be slow to adopt this kind of harmonization. That is why it is important the industry works with our state and federal agencies on developing programs, applications and policies that take frictionless freight from a phrase to a reality. Kentucky Trucker 7 WHERE THE RUBBER Meets the Road Driver Credits TND™ 760 with Saving the Day Visual Search Techniques Dealing With Road Construction Michael Reech, a driver for L&B that it does not require opening up Transport, LLC., (L&B) was traveling the dash to install. The device can be at night on an interstate road and installed in-house and drivers can be suddenly encountered a heavy fog. trained in less than 30 minutes. The TND™ 760 provided him with Carolyn Hofmann, Safety and some immediate warnings, including Compliance Specialist, L&B Transport, a spoken warnhas worked closely ing regarding a with drivers on the “Reech credits the device sharp turn on an implementation with not only protecting the approaching hill of Rand McNally’s $300,000 investment in the and an upcoming TND™ 760 mobile vehicle he was operating, and speed limit reducfl eet managethe value of the load he was tion. ment devices. She With visibilireports the devices transporting, but his life.” ty signifi cantly have been incredidecreased, Reech may have missed the bly well received by L&B’s drivers, and opportunity to prepare for this turn Reech’s experience is one of many that and the speed limit reduction without highlight the value of the navigation the TND™ 760 on board. In fact, there features included on the device. was no “curve ahead” warning sign on “From a company perspective, the the road at all. Reech credits the device Hours of Service reporting has been with not only protecting the $300,000 excellent. I can easily run audit reports investment in the vehicle he was oper- each morning, and catch any errors ating, and the value of the load he was and mistakes before a DOT violation transporting, but his life. occurs. Once drivers get over the fear L&B was founded in 1984 to meet of change, and understand how easy it is to use - they love it. Some will the ever-increasing needs and high say, ‘Do not take this away! I do not service expectations of the chemical want to do paper logs ever again!’” industry of South Louisiana. L&B spesaid Hofmann. “In addition, the Rand cializes in rubber-lined trailer service McNally navigation is a bonus for the for strong acids, as well as transportadrivers. They are happy not to have tion of virtually all types of commodities including hazardous materials in separate units for each function, as it’s bulk over the 48 contiguous states and all on one device.” Canada. The company has a high conReprinted with permission, Rand McNally centration of owner-operators in their Commercial Transportation News. Drivefl eet with many different truck confi wyze™ is a trademark of Intelligent Imaging gurations. Rand McNally’s TND™ 760 Systems. ©2015 Rand McNally. All rights reserved. was especially appealing due to its ease of installation, including the fact 8 Kentucky Trucker Each of us understands that road construction is vital to the future of the trucking industry and to the economic success of our nation, some understand this more than others, especially in the Louisville area. Still, road construction can present challenging and sometime frustrating driving situations. Take some time today to review these tips and consider how to operate safely during the construction season. 1. As part of your trip planning, think about the route you will be taking and whether or not road construction will be a factor. Knowing this in advance and planning for the additional time may add to your trip, but can help a great deal in reducing the tension we feel when operating in challenging conditions. 2. Think about the road workers out there in the elements working hard to provide us with better roads. These people are very valuable, often working in very close proximity to vehicles new them at highway speeds. They are counting on each of us to protect them. Make a decision to stay at safe speeds, keep a good following distance, and be free of distractions. The driving task requires your undivided attention. 3. Be aware of road signage announcing upcoming construction and get into the proper lane early. People in cars often make poos decisions around construction zones and don’t like to follow big trucks. The best you can do is to operate safely and keep an attentive eye on others. Try not to let the poor decision of other drivers put you in harm’s way. Being able to see traffic hazards before they become traffic emergencies is one of the most important collision avoidance strategies. Develop your visual search techniques in order to spot trouble before it finds you. Intersections: Upon approach to an intersection, slow slightly and cover the brake. Carefully check traffic approaching the intersection from both sides. If an approaching vehicle does not appear to be slowing/stopping as it should, be prepared to slow or stop your vehicle prior to the collision point. Lane Changes: Activate turn signals and watch mirrors carefully whenever engaging in a lane change maneuver. Identify rapidly approaching traffic in the lane you wish to enter and ensure you have the space needed to safely move over. Slow slightly prior to committing to the lane change to help clear the blind spots. Practice the “Learn and Look” technique to clear the front right corner blind spot if making a left to right lane change, or the left shoulder turn technique to check out the driver side window if making a right to left lane change. Continue to check mirrors all the way through the lane change maneuver and be ready to halt the maneuver in needed. Right Turns: The process of properly checking mirrors in any right turn includes a mirror check prior to reaching the intersection to check position of any traffic around you. Check the right side mirrors during the right turn to see if anyone is trying to get around on the right. At the same time, watch ahead and to the left to ensure no one is encroaching there, and finally check as you come out of the turn to ensure the turn has been made safely. At any point in the turn, be prepared to stop if someone is trying to cut you off on the right side. Animals: Animal strike collisions may occur at any time or location but certain times of day (evening/dusk), and times of the year (October/November), they are more likely. Anticipate animals running onto the highway, watch shoulders of the road for signs of approaching animal crossing signs. Overhead Objects: Know the height of your truck and trailer and be aware of the many different types of low obstructions which include bridges/overpasses, canopies, tree branches and low hanging wires. Always watch for bridge height signs and if in an unfamiliar area, be doubly cautious. If encountering a low bridge with unknown height, approach slowly with windows open and radio off. Stop the truck if needed and do a visual check of the situation. Winter Conditions: Ice can be tricky to spot. Watch for a shiny appearance of the road surface and lack of spray coming off other vehicles’ tires as, as well as ice build-up on the windshield or wiper blades. In heavy snow or fog, watch for reflector poles on the side of the road to help you stay in your lane. Truckstops/Parking Lots: Travel slowly and be ready for other traffic to appear suddenly. When making a turn in a congested parking area, the guideline is to “Watch the mirrors and glance ahead”, as opposed to on the highway when the guideline is to “Watch ahead and glance in the mirrors”. Conversation Starter Greg Faulhaber Greg Faulhaber The next time you open a bottle of wine, dazzle 866-634-2953 your guests with these amazing facts. That corkscrew 866-634-2953 Since 1973 Since 1973 Greg Faulhaber you’re holding? The design was probably swiped from 866-634-2953 Mobile Spindle Replacement Specialists a similar device called a gun worm, used to extract Since 1973 Mobile Spindle Replacement Repair King Pin Axle & KnuckleSpecialists Bores unspent charges from the barrel of a musket back in the Mobile Spindle Replacement Specialists Trailer Spiders Bores Repair Replace King Pin AxleBrake & Knuckle 17th century. The corkscrew commonly used by waiters Repair King Pin Axle & Knuckle Bores today was the brainstorm of German inventor Carl WienReplace Trailer Brake Spiders Nationwide Service: Replace Trailer Brake Spiders 1-877-FIX-AXLE Accredited Member ke, and was called “the butler’s friend.” And inventor www.axlesurgeons.com Better Business Bureau Nationwide Service: Abraham Russel’s patent for a corkscrew, circa 1862, Nationwide Service: 1-877-FIX-AXLE 1-877-FIX-AXLE Accredited Member Accredited Member was purchased on ebay for more than $13,000. Business Bureau BetterBetter Business Bureau Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net www.axlesurgeons.com www.axlesurgeons.com Kentucky Trucker 9 WHERE THE RUBBER Meets the Road continued Did you Know? – Interesting Facts About Kentucky’s Trucking Industry: If you got – they brought it! 1. Average cost of a new truck – $110,000 non-sleeper; $125,000 sleeper unit with bells & whistles 2. What is considered “bells & whistles” on a truck? For a truck, there is typically 18 – 20 pages of standard “specs” that are required when building a truck. Bells and whistles are what is added beyond that; such as aluminum wheels, additional chrome, comfort items such as refrigerators/APUs/power inverters/satellite radio and automatic transmissions are the most popular in the last year or two. The comfort of the driver is always important but in the most recent years, providing a VERY NICE truck is a powerful recruiting tool for good drivers. 3. Average Additional Cost to the price of the truck when you add in Bells & Whistles? $10,000 - $15,000 4. Average Life Span of a Truck – 7 years 5. Average miles per gallon (mpg) – 6.5 to 7 mpg 6. Average miles/year on a truck – 120,000 miles/year. Due to regulations, general private fleets and truckload fleets are averaging the same amount of miles per year. 7. Increase in price of truck due to new engine emissions standards $20,000 Since the early 2000s, stricter engine emission standards have been implemented. Engine manufacturers were required to come up with cleaner burning engines and engineer the new engines to meet the EPA requirements and complete new models with more frontal cooling area to cool these new engines. Engine manufacturers are currently working on engines to meet the new 2017 emission requirements. 8. Average age of driver– 57 years. The trucking industry is always looking for good, qualified drivers and with more drivers exiting the industry than entering the industry, driver recruitment is a top priority. GRA-KAT Environmental Services LLC PH 502 426-4100 FAX 502 425-4050 9. Average starting pay for diesel mechanic in the trucking industry? Apprentice starts at $16.00 per hour plus benefits while a Journeyman starts at $27.50 plus benefits. There are a number of good jobs available in the trucking industry besides just driving. One of the biggest areas where qualified people are needed is in the area of maintenance. Diesel mechanics are desperately needed and have numerous job opportunities. 10. Average speed of a truck? 60 miles per hour. Most trucking companies monitor the speed of their trucks very closely and in the majority of cases, the trucks are set to go a certain speed. Electronic Control Module (ECM) or speed governor as they are commonly referred to ensures that the truck will only go a certain speed. Regulating the speed helps a fleet with its fuel efficiency as well as adds to the overall safety of the fleet. There is a direct and strong correlation with driving at a safe speed and preventing accidents or unsafe situations. P.O. Box 7513 Louisville, KY 40257-0513 • Commercial • Industrial Andy White Owner • Certifies • 24 Hour Service • Insured 502-321-3110 - Emergency 502-647-1435 - Fax 502-633-1441 - Home 10 Kentucky Trucker 50 Cherokee Drive Shelbyville, KY 40065 Truck repair • Air Bag recovery • LAndoLL TransporT secure sTorage • Crane service • Long DisTance Towing FLeet MainTenance • equipMenT sALes Kentucky Trucking Association Kentucky Truck Sales, Inc.Sales! Your Kentuckiana Freightliner Dealership that is dedicated to you, THE CUSTOMER, and the Freightliner and Isuzu products we proudly represent. Our experience spans over 40 years serving the Kentucky and Indiana trucking industry. At KTS we offer a full line of Freightliner and Isuzu new and used trucks for your business and back you up with a supportive experienced parts, service and body Shop. We also offer Truck Leasing and Rental, Century Leasing, LLC, along with truck maintenance packages, financing and truck detailing. “NEWS FLASH” “NEWS FLASH” Kentucky Truck Sales, Inc. has become a Full Line Dealer of Kentucky Truck Sales, Inc. is very excited to announce to the Kentucky and Indiana area the addition of Isuzu Trucks to complement their Freightliner Truck Dealership located in Jeffersonville, IN. Give us a call or come by our Dealership for a “TRUCK TODAY” or Visit our website at WWW.TRUCKTODAY.COM WWW.TRUCKTODAY.COM KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 11 ARE YOU Fiscally Fit? Finance Employee Background Check Tips By Strothman and Company Performing due diligence is the cornerstone of any business decision, including who to hire. When hiring an employee or an independent contractor, running a background check - which may include a criminal background check, work and educational history, among other components can help ensure your next hire will be a good fit. But what are some obligations that employers must follow? How to Obtain Permission to Run a Background Check While background checks vary according to state and federal laws, including the Federal Credit Reporting Act, there are some general recommendations and legal requirements that must be followed. Employers must request the authorization from each prospective employee on a separate document. Employers are also re- 12 Kentucky Trucker quired to inform potential candidates they have the right to learn about the background checks if interviews with other individuals are included. Guidelines also require employers to produce a hard copy of the background check results for the candidate prior to any negative determination with respect to employment, and advise each candidate as to their rights and the protocol they should follow to challenge any information that is in error or is incomplete. What’s Checked Depending on state laws and the individual candidate’s job role, a background check can be quite expansive. Criminal history is a major component of a background check, though the types of crimes disclosed and time frame covered can vary by state. Credit checks also may be part of an em- ployee background check, which may provide a candidate’s payment history or defaults, including any legal action resulting from lack of payment. An important component related to checking a candidate’s credit history is the nature a negative indicator. For example, is it due to a single late payment of a utility bill, a medical emergency that resulted in large bills, or the result of a large credit card bill sent to collections for non-payment which ultimately led to court proceedings? The latter scenario may be interpreted as an irresponsible or untrustworthy candidate - and possible predictor of how they may perform on the job. Other records available in a background check may include the candidate’s education, professional licenses, driving record and drug testing, among others. Kentucky Trucking Association Background Check No No’s It’s against the law to perform a background check on candidates and current workers when employers are exclusively seeking their country of origin, gender, age (40 years and older), physical or mental disabilities, and race, among others. Complementing the Background Check Whether the background check is run in-house or through a third-party contractor, another way to check a candidate is to scrutinize their resume and online presence. Calling a candidate’s college or university to verify a KyTrucking.net degree and going online to verify if a license is active are two easy ways to determine a candidate’s trustworthiness. Performing an online search for the candidate’s social media presence can determine their judgment based on posted photos and comments. You also may be able to determine if he or she is a well-rounded person based on extra-curricular interests and hobbies. Mistakes to Avoid During a Background Check Mistakes and oversights are known to occur during a background check. Checking records exclusively through national or federal criminal databas- es can miss records in state, county, and town or city files. Performing background checks on permanent staff is the norm for many companies, but a business also can have its files and physical premises compromised through independent contractors or seasonal employees. Crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s during an employment check can vet an employee to make sure they are a good fit for the organization. Kentucky Trucker 13 ARE YOU Fiscally Fit? Finance Benefits Insights By Scott Brown, Phil Brown Insurance Agency Telemedicine As technology has developed, so has people’s ability to overcome the traditional communication barriers of time and distance. The practice of telemedicine is a step forward in the health care industry to use telecommunication to bridge the gap of time, distance and affordability to reach patients in need of medical attention. What is Telemedicine? Telemedicine uses technology to facilitate communication, whether real-time or delayed, between a doctor and patient who are not in the same physical location for the purpose of medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Advances in telecommunication allow the exchange of medical information from one site to another to serve patients in a clinical setting. Telemedicine Advantages Telemedicine offers numerous benefits for both doctors and patients. Following are a few of the advantages of using telemedicine: Remote Access Communicating remotely with a doctor is a primary function of telemedicine. With this technology, doctors can reach patients in remote, rural and underserved areas where there might not be an available doctor or hospital. Through telemedicine, patients can access doctors for routine visits, emergency care or diagnostics from a specialist. Specialist Availability Another benefit of telemedicine is increased access to specialists. Even when patients live in urban areas with numerous doctors and hospitals, specialists for rare health conditions may not practice in the area. Telemedicine enables patients in both rural and urban areas to connect with specialists who may be hundreds of miles away. Cost savings Reduction in cost is another major benefit of telemedicine. Patients save money for routine and specialist care because they don’t have to pay travel expenses for distant doctors and don’t have to take excessive time off work to travel and then sit in a waiting room. Doctors are also more efficient in the number of patients they can see in a day, which can help reduce overhead and related costs. In addition, remote monitoring can help lessen the much larger cost of long hospitalizations or in-home nursing, and it may reduce the cost of managing chronic conditions. Remote monitoring can also help prevent hospital readmission by properly supervising care following a patient’s discharge from the hospital. Convenient Care For some patients, the comfort and convenience of consulting with a doctor from the safety of their own homes is a tremendous advantage. The convenience can also improve care. For example, whereas patients might forget to bring medications with them to a traditional office visit, when patients are at home they have ready access to the information necessary for the doctor to diagnose and prescribe. Also, because the patient is at home, it is often easier to take notes or even include a family member who can help retain important information from the doctor. The Role of Telemedicine Fueled by technological advances and answering the clamor for consumer-convenient care, telemedicine delivers many advantages. Although not the same as sitting in an actual doctor’s office, a telemedicine visit with a doctor can prove beneficial by warding off further illness or disease, stabilizing a condition until a patient is able to reach a hospital or monitoring a patient at home. Telemedicine is not a complete replacement for face-to-face health care, but it can be a tremendously helpful supplement and even a temporary substitute for traditional medical care. Scott Brown is a licensed employee benefits broker and consultant, and is designated as a Registered Health Underwriter. He has over 15 years of experience helping employers of all sizes with their employee benefits plans. For more information, Scott can be reached at 800727-6966, x304 or by email at [email protected]. IRS Updates Transportation Industry Per Diem Rates By Troy Hogan, CPA, Katz, Sapper & Miller The Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 201563, updating the special per diem rates under tax code Section 274, which is used to substantiate the amount of ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred while traveling away from home. Effective Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016, transportation’s per diem rates will increase to $63 (currently $59) for any locality of travel within the continental U.S. and $68 (currently $65) for travel outside the continental U.S. Companies currently using per diem programs should review their plans and consider increasing per diem amounts in order to maximize a plan’s benefits. A well-implemented per diem program can be an effective tool to aid in driver retention, as well as increase profits for carriers and drivers. 14 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association KMTA.net KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 15 The Political Pulse Legislative News from Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Hey candidates, what about our infrastructure? By Former Rep. James T. Walsh (R-N.Y.), contributor, and Stephen A. Martinko Infrastructure issues have thus far been relegated to the backseat this presidential primary season. There were no questions about infrastructure asked over the course of the recent, marathon three-hour Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN. This equaled the number of questions posed to the candidates at the first two-hour debate hosted by Fox News, bringing the number of infrastructure-related questions in over five hours of debate so far to a grand total of zero. The candidates themselves, both Republicans and Democrats, have not done any better, failing to focus on infrastructure issues in any substantial way in their campaigns. Our transportation system is one of our most critical national assets. Infrastructure is the foundation that connects this country’s businesses, communities and people, driving our economy and our quality of life. But our infrastructure systems are failing to keep pace with current and expanding needs, and critical investments have been put off for too long. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gives America’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of D+. 16 Kentucky Trucker Deteriorating infrastructure, long known to be a public safety issue, has a cascading impact on the nation’s economy, negatively affecting business productivity, gross domestic product (GDP), employment, personal income and international competitiveness. If our infrastructure investment gap is not addressed, by 2020, the economy is expected to lose almost $1 trillion in business sales, resulting in a loss of 3.5 million jobs. Moreover, if current trends are not reversed, the cumulative cost to the U.S. economy from 2012 to 2020 will be more than $3.1 trillion in GDP and $1.1 trillion in total trade. We also lag behind our overseas competitors in transportation infrastructure investment. According to the World Economic Forum, the U.S. has fallen from seventh to 18th in overall quality of roads in just the past decade, and we rank 14th in their overall infrastructure index. Meanwhile, China, perhaps our greatest economic competitor for the 21st century, has invested billions in modern road, rail and air services. We are clearly falling behind. The first Democratic presidential debate will be held Oct. 13 in Las Ve- gas and the third Republican presidential debate will take place Oct. 28 at the University of Colorado in Boulder. We challenge the moderators to include transportation infrastructure issues on the agenda. The importance of our nation’s infrastructure is clear, and numerous polls show Americans believe infrastructure investment should be a high priority. Voters deserve to hear each candidate’s plan to revitalize our highways, airports, railroads and other vital transportation infrastructure assets. America’s infrastructure is too important to our economy to continue to be ignored in the debates and by the candidates’ campaigns. If we keep these issues in the backseat for too long, we’ll all be watching America’s global competitiveness fade away in the rearview mirror soon. Walsh is a former U.S. representative from New York, serving from 1989 to 2009. He is currently a government affairs counselor for K&L Gates LLP in Washington. Martinko is also a government affairs counselor at K&L Gates LLP. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of K&L Gates, its partners or employees. Take charge of your health care spending Use your KMTA membership to help save Affordability and accessibility you can count on As with your customers, you want what’s best for your co-workers and employees. So, where do you find reliable, Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant health insurance at a smart value? Your Kentucky Motor Transport Association (KMTA) membership offers the answers. With your membership, you get access to affordable, quality insurance from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem). That means you can get the most from your health care plan through: Provider networks that are among Kentucky’s largest and most complete. }} Doctors and hospitals across the country and around the world through the BlueCard® program and BlueCard Worldwide. }} What you get with the KMTA bona fide association program: Potential savings on fully insured plans like Blue AccessSM PPO and Lumenos® consumer-driven health plans. }} Competitive association-specific pricing. }} The ability to bring unique products to the marketplace as a bona fide association through our large group plan sponsorship. }} How does Anthem create value for your business? Flexible plans }} Preventive care }} Comprehensive coverage }} Prescription coverage }} Want to learn more about affordable health care? For a free quote, please call Phil Brown Insurance 800-727-6966 or visit www.philbrowninsurance.com. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. 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The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 48557KYMENABS 09/14 Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 17 The Political Pulse Continued Kentucky Part of $25Million Grant for Big Rig Parking Potential hazards arise with parked trucks overflowing onto freeway ramps, access roads Choose the nation’s largest and fastest growing weigh station bypass service More bypass sites than any other program Integrated into leading ELDs and other in-cab devices Better bypass rates, better ROI No transponder required Works at scales and mobile sites Great for driver recruitment and retention Talk to a sales representative today. 1-888-988-1590 FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear today announced that Kentucky is part of an eight-state consortium awarded a $25 million federal grant to address critical issues associated with truck parking in the Midwest. The federal grant is from the program known as TIGER – Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery. The eight states are members of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials. Collectively, they intend to develop a multistate Truck Parking Information and Management System (TPIMS). Other MAASTO states that will receive funding include Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Kansas was the lead applicant among the states. “Safety issues arise when trucks parked along key freight corridors overflow onto the shoulders of freeway ramps, rest area ramps and adjacent roads,” Gov. Beshear said. “Often there may be adequate parking elsewhere along the route, but no real-time information available to let truckers know where that might be.” The TPIMS will disseminate parking information through a variety of means including electronic message signs, traveler information websites and smartphone applications. In Kentucky, the system will include information about parking along Interstates 64, 65, 71 and 75. The eight states sharing the grant will contribute a 10 percent match of the deployment costs in their respective states. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will contribute approximately $300,000. DECADES IN THE MAKING For more than four decades, the Mid-America Trucking Show has provided an unparalleled faceto-face environment for trucking industry professionals to efficiently research the latest products and services, connect with other industry professionals, and keep up-to-date with the latest industry changes. No other industry event offers more under one roof than MATS. Join us for three days at the largest annual heavy-duty event in the world... the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show. MARCH 31 – APRIL 2, 2016 LOUISVILLLE, KENTUCKY FREE ADMISSION REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.TRUCKINGSHOW.COM SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER NOW. Weekdays 8AM to 6:30PM ET www.drivewyze.com 18 Kentucky Trucker MATS 7x9.5.indd 1 Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net 10/21/15 3:46 PM Kentucky Trucker 19 Here’s What’s Happening Amazon Flex Program is Like Uber for Last-Mile Delivery Amazon has unveiled what some are calling Uber for last-mile delivery, after the fast-growing service that replaces traditional taxis with an app that links riders and drivers. Flex would allow ordinary people to make $18 to $25 an hour delivering packages for Amazon using their car and a smartphone, as an independent contractor. Flex drivers (must be 21 years old) will deliver ultra-fast Amazon Prime Now packages. This program for paid Amazon Prime members promises de Safety is Our Passion 800-228-8053 gwccnet.com Not available in all states. All policy terms, conditions, definitions, and exclusions apply to this coverage. Please see your agent for exact provisions. We understand your business. 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One problem for this model, however, may be the independent contractor status of these drivers. There already are lawsuits against Uber, grocery delivery startup Instacart, Postmates and others over whether these workers were misclassified and should be entitled to back pay and benefits as employees rather than contractors. www.AcuTread.com www.AcuTread.com www.AcuTread.com We Value The Safety Of Your Company And Your Drivers We give you tools to assist you in reducing crashes and saving lives. Our safety professionals can help you with your company’s safety program by assisting you with your regularly scheduled educational seminars and by keeping you informed on the latest safety and risk management techniques in the trucking industry. liveries as quickly as one hour for $8, or free for two hours or more. In the future, Flex drivers may deliver other types of Amazon packages as well, according to the website. Initially launched in Seattle, the service will expand to Manhattan, Baltimore, Miami, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Portland. Amazon says tens of thousands of items are available for delivery under Prime Now including, in Seattle, alcohol, reports The Wall Street Journal. 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Call Rudy Harris Dual Compound Extrusion Dual Compound Extrusion Matched Diameters 800-426-7046 Less Irregular Wear Call Rudy Harris 700 Brighton St. Kentucky Trucker 21 Here’s What’s Happening Workplace Wrap-Up James Hylan Grise Recognized as National Driver of the Year Walmart Driver Honored with Elite Trucking Award First Kentucky National Driver of the Year! Arlington, Va. – On Wednesday November 4, American Trucking Associations presented James Hylan Grise of Walmart Transportation in Hopkinsville, Kentucky with the National Driver of the Year Award. “Hylan has had an exceptional career as a professional truck driver with zero accidents during his 42 year career. That’s truly a remarkable accomplishment,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “The trucking industry relies on drivers like James Hylan to drive each day with a safety-first mindset and his commitment to safety and professionalism deserves praise.” “It’s important for Americans to know about professional truck drivers, like Hylan, who make the daily decision to deliver important goods to communities in the safest and most efficient way possible,” said Jamie Fiepke, President and CEO of Kentucky Trucking Association. James Hylan Grise began his career as a professional truck driver more than 42 years ago. Since then he has accumulated more than 4.25 million accident-free miles. Grise has participated in the Kentucky Driving Championships 11 times, winning the sleeper division 22 Kentucky Trucker and qualifying for the National Truck Driving Championships in 2005, 2011 and 2012. In 2014, Grise assisted Kentucky’s champions prepare and practice for the National Truck Driving Championships. Walmart recently sponsored several courses Grise used to further his skills as a professional truck driver including courses on distracted driving, defensive driving, injury prevention and recognizing drug and alcohol abuse. Grise also participates in the Walmart Heart Program that lift the spirits of children or adults with chronic medical conditions or special needs. In 1994, Grise received the RoadStar Award from Landstar Transportation. Along with his career achievements, Grise also dedicates time on Sundays to Union Missionary Baptist Church in Morgantown, Ky. where he serves as the assistant Sunday school teacher. Female Commercial Drivers on the Rise The number of female truck drivers in the United States has increased recently, according to the American Trucking Associations, and that could be a good thing for trucking companies, as women are out performing men in a number of categories. Women now account for 5.8 percent of the nation’s 3.4 million truckers, up from 4.6 percent in 2010. Industry experts cite a number of factors that may have contributed to the increase. A labor shortage made some companies actively recruit women, and industry improvements—better terminals, safer truck stops and schedules that allowed for more time at home—also likely played a part. Kentucky Trucking Association Human Resources, Employer News IT Infrastructure Closing the Generational Gap The role of the IT manager is changing drastically in the face of new trends such as the rise of cloud computing, mobile device proliferation and the increase in remote workers. So how should the trucking information technology department respond to its ever-increasing job responsibilities? According to a recent study by consultant group McKinsey & Company, the number of Internet-connected devices two years ago had reached 12 billion, while payments made by mobile devices was nearing $1 trillion, according to Business 2 Community. These figures are only expected to increase in the coming years, and they offer IT managers many opportunities but also a myriad of challenges in the effort to remain flexible and competitive in the global marketplace. One particular concern in the trucking industry is attracting younger talent. While the IT department may not be directly involved in hiring new workers and drivers, the technological infrastructure it designs will play a significant role in making the company more (or less) attractive to millennials. Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, policies are an important aspect in attracting younger talent that many in the transportation industry are not considering, or actively avoiding. But the figures don’t lie. Recent studies have indicated 40 percent of U.S. workers use their personally owned devices each day. By constructing an infrastructure that embraces such behaviors, rather than discourages them, the IT department can play a role in closing the generational hiring gap. However, this does pose several challenges for IT professionals and end-users alike. Challenges that have, thus far, discouraged companies from adopting robust BYOD programs. According to surveys conducted by eWEEK, over half of users and nearly 40 percent of IT professionals do not KyTrucking.net participate in a BYOD program because of privacy concerns. However, over two thirds of employees say they would participate in a BYOD program if they felt their data was secured. “The most surprising finding was the wide discrepancy between desire to participate in BYOD and actual participation rates,” Rich Campagna, vice president of products and marketing at Bitglass, told eWEEK. “This is due to organizations taking undue control over personal devices and poor communications of what can be monitored and controlled by IT.” Make Good Drivers … Master Drivers Choose the delivery Take your drivers to a new level of safety awareness and professionalism with methodChoose that works the delivery formethod you. that works J. J. Keller® Master Driver training programs. Each program usesbesthazard best for you. perception scenarios to hone and test drivers’ skills, along with “Road Wise” commentary from industry professionals to drive home key points. The result is hard-hitting training that sticks. Pay Per View Online Online Pay Per View Choose from 16 critical topics: • Accident Procedures • Fixed Object Collisions • Air Brakes • Night Driving • Backing Techniques • Pattern Driving • City Driving • Rear End Collisions • Coupling & Uncoupling • Rural Driving • Driving Techniques • Safety Issues • Emergency Maneuvers • Speed & Space Management • Extreme Weather Driving • Vehicle Inspection Choose the delivery Choose the delivery method thatmethod works that works best bestfor foryou. you. DVD Online Online Pay Per View Pay Per View Reduce the chance of accidents and CSA violations! To order call KTA at 502-227-0848 J. J. Keller and your State Trucking Association are partners in compliance. TM PC 111585 Kentucky Trucker 23 Workplace Wrap-Up Membership Matters Human Resources, Employer News Member News, New Member Application, Upcoming Events 73 Cat Trucks & Counting for Kentucky Construction Firm Kentucky Employers Enjoy Tax Break Diane J. Kilner, CPA, MCM CPAs & Advisors For the first time since January 2009, Kentucky’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund has a positive balance. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has paid off the $972 million federal loan needed to meet unemployment insurance benefit obligations during the Great Recession at least two years ahead of schedule. Early payoff means Kentucky employers will see a reduction of $105 per employee in federal unemployment taxes this year. Maintaining a positive balance ensures Kentucky employers will save approximately $165 million in federal unemployment insurance taxes. At the height of the recession in June 2009, Kentucky’s unemployment rate hit a high of 10.9 percent. Since that time, Kentucky has seen a steady improvement in the economy – especially in the job market. The state has experienced a decline in the unemployment rate and an increase in the number of Kentuckians at work. Kentucky’s latest unemployment rate in June 2015 dipped to 5.1 percent, the lowest it has been since June 2001. Covered employment, which includes workers covered by state UI laws, has increased by 36,700. House Bill 5 in the 2010 Special Legislative Session modernized the state’s unemployment system with a balanced plan to adjust revenues and benefits to secure the financial stability of the plan for the future. Beginning in 2012, the law increased the taxable wage base from $8,000 to $12,000 over a 10-year period; implemented a waiting week after eligible workers file a claim before they can begin to receive benefits; and reduced the statutory replacement rate used to calculate a claimant’s weekly benefit amount from 68 percent to 62 percent. A positive balance in the UI Trust Fund on Nov. 10, 2015, will ensure Kentucky employers will not be subject to the additional credit reduction rate of 1.5% when they file their federal unemployment taxes in January 2016. Since 2011, Kentucky employers have been subject to the credit reduction that started at .3% and escalated to 1.2% in 2014 and was scheduled to have been 1.5% had this debt not been repaid this year. www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org 24 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association If you want to know how the Cat® Truck performs in a rough, tough hauling environment, there’s no one better to ask than Fernando Messier. His Louisville, Kentucky-based firm has purchased a total of 73 CT660s since 2013—and has put them to the test on a variety of challenging construction, demolition, roadway, bridge and concrete projects. “I am 100% confident that I put my trucks to work in the roughest, toughest conditions, and the CT660s have been up to the task,” Messier says. “We’re a heavy-duty company—hauling anything and everything—and they’ve taken it, no problem.” A “stellar” reputation A civil engineer by training, Messier started Messier & Associates, Inc. 15 years ago, focusing initially on consulting. About eight years ago, the company branched out into construction—and today, construction hauling and trucking is Messier & Associates’ biggest line of business. With a fleet of more than 60 vocational trucks, the company hauls asphalt, dirt, sand, aggregates, stone and more to and from construction sites in Louisville and across the region. Today, 46 of those trucks bear the Cat logo. While shopping for some KyTrucking.net heavy construction equipment in early 2013, Messier learned about the Cat Truck from his sales representative at Cat dealer Whayne Supply and was intrigued. “Caterpillar’s reputation has always been stellar,” he says. “We had very high hopes for our Cat Trucks from the beginning.” Excellent horsepower, driver comfort & technology Those hopes quickly turned into reality. Messier & Associates purchased 27 CT660s in 2013 and, in June 2015, traded those units in for 46 newer models. Why? Messier says Cat Trucks are built solidly and deliver the horsepower he needs. Plus, his drivers love them. “They love the logo on the front of the trucks—they all know the reputation Caterpillar has,” he says. “And they tell me they’re intuitive and easy to operate, and they really like the ride.” As a business owner, Messier likes the technology built into Cat Trucks—specifically Product LinkTM, Caterpillar’s asset and fleet management tool, and its web-based user interface, VisionLink®. “It provides ongoing diagnostics on the trucks in real time, which has helped us identify problems before they end up costing us a lot of money,” he says. “It’s a very proactive system, which is a good thing in this type of business.” The best service out there In addition to purchasing his Cat Trucks from Whayne Supply, Messier relies on the dealership to keep them up and running. “Three years ago, I had 10 trucks— today, I have more than 60,” he says. “Our business has grown rapidly, and we don’t have the shop or technicians to handle that much equipment. So we have a Customer Support Agreement in place with Whayne for all of our Cat Truck maintenance. They have a very good reputation and do good work.” Messier acknowledged he experienced some “growing pains” with his first batch of Cat Trucks, which wasn’t unexpected for a new product. “But even when there’s a problem, Cat dealer service is still the best out there, bar none,” he says. “I’d encourage anyone to give the Cat Truck a try. Take it on a test drive. Do a demo. I can tell you they’re running laps around my old trucks, and I’ll absolutely go back to Caterpillar when it’s time to replace them.” – See more at: http://www.drivecat.com/ blog/2015/10/73-cat-trucks-counting-forkentucky-construction-firm/#sf41598721 Kentucky Trucker 25 Membership Matters Member News, New Member Application, Upcoming Events 2015 Annual Leadership & Management Conference There was some built in time for enjoying the beauty Kentucky Trucking Association Fleet Safety Awards 2015 was the first year the Kentucky Trucking Association incorporated a Fleet Safety Award Program. It is important to recognize our members and their employees for their excellence in safety. We recognized these fleets at our Annual Convention. Carriers in the Truckload and LTL submitted applications with their safety record. The program is designed for motor carriers of all sizes. We determine the motor carrier accident frequency rate by using a very simple formula. The 2015 winners of the Inaugural Fleet Safety Awards Lake Barkley State Resort Park This year we were back at Lake Barkley State Resort Park, the first time back since the late 90’s. In some ways nothing had changed since we had last been there, the one big difference was the ability for everyone to be really unplugged for the entirety of the event, whether by choice or not. During the late 90’s everyone was not as connected to their phones as we are today, we had just got into the cell phone era. of Lake Barkley, we had opportunities for golfing, trap shooting, boating and at the conclusion of the event, sunset cruise on a private houseboat. Which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who were in attendance. Thank you for everyone who helped make this years’ conference a huge success, we look forward to seeing everyone at the 2016 Leadership & Management Conference in Lexington! If you have never attended make a point to attend in 2016, you will come away with a great wealth of knowledge, as well as some great contacts. Conversation Starter All in though it was a great event, we had a great line up of speakers from across the country, covering topics from fleet maintenance to asset protection. keynote speaker Brian Felkow, Author and Owner of Jetco, an expert in corporate culture supplied all conference attendees with a copy of his book Driving to Protection. Back again this year was the Exhibitor space which was implemented into our conference in 2014, this is a great opportunity for our Allied Members to showcase their product or service and make connections with key leaders in the trucking industry. Thanks for all the Exhibitors that were in attendance, everyone really enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about your products. 26 Kentucky Trucker Back in 1920, Earle and Josephine Dickson were just your average young newlyweds. But Josephine, who apparently was no Martha Stewart, found herself getting more than her share of small burns and cuts in the kitchen. Earle came to the rescue, putting cotton or gauze on pieces of tape, then covering the remaining adhesive portion with strips of crinoline. When Josephine suffered one of her minor mishaps, she simply removed the crinoline and had a readymade bandage. She loved it. So did Earle’s employer, Johnson & Johnson, which has since sold more than 100 billion Band-Aids. Don’t you love a happy ending? Kentucky Trucking Association Safety Director of the Year Jason Smith, AAA CooperJamie Fiepke, President KTA. 1. Truckload-Van & Reefer Hartt Transportation Systems Inc 2. General commodities- LTL AAA Cooper 3. Tank Truck Usher Transport The Kentucky Industrial Safety Contest is awarded to the motor carrier with the fewest number of loss workdays cases and workplace fatalities. Usher Transport won with a total of two lost workday cases. The award was accepted by David Guess. Jamie Fiepke, KTA President; Pat Thomas, ATA Chairman; David Guess, Usher Transport; Don Hayden, KTA Chairman We received several nominations for the 2014 Safety Director of the Year. All were highly qualified and very deserving of the award. The life of a safety director is a very challenging one, there are no time clocks, and no days off. A safety director has to be ready to answer a call anywhere and anytime their vehicle is involved in a crash. Many times it is the safety director that has to go to a scene of a tragic accident and be the face of the company. All the nominees perform their job at a very high level. The winner was David Guess with Usher Transport. David has over 18 years of safety experience and has won multiple awards in the field of commercial truck safety. He is a very active member of the Kentucky Risk and Safety Management Council and the ATA Safety Council. David recently earned his Doctorate from the University of the Cumberlands in educational leadership. Congratulations to David for this well deserved award. Volunteer of the Year Don Hayden, KTA Chairman; Dick Cubbage, Great West Casualty; Jamie Fiepke, KTA President We also recognized Dick Cubbage, Great West Casualty with Volunteer of the Year. This was in appreciation of all his years and hours of support with the Kentucky Trucking Association and the dedication he has had to the members of our association and the trucking industry. Thank you Dick for all you have done with our association, there is no one any more deserving of this award than you! KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 27 Membership Matters Member News, New Member Application, Upcoming Events 2015 Annual Leadership & Management Conference Lake Barkley State Resort Park. 28 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association 2015 Annual Leadership & Management Conference Lake Barkley State Resort Park. KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 29 Membership Matters Member News, New Member Application, Upcoming Events Member Events Martin’s Peterbilt Celebrates 50th Anniversary Worldwide Equipment Lexington Division Customer Appreciation Day On October 22nd Kentucky Trucking Association Allied Member, Worldwide Equipment Lexington Division hosted Customer Appreciation day to thank everyone for their business. Everyone was entertained by a live music, set up in the parking lot on a Benson Flatbed Trailer, and enjoyed a fabulous barbaque lunch with a first for me of hot potato salad. Yum! Thanks Jim Dotson, General Manager for allowing the Kentucky Trucking Association to promote to association to your customers. Worldwide Mascot! Melissa out promoting the association! Three generations of Martin’s! Fleet of trucks to better serve our customers. September 25th Martin’s Peterbilt, new Kentucky Trucking Association Allied Member, celebrated their 50th Anniversary. We are excited to have Terry Martin, President; and his great family as part of our association. Their London, KY location is the original location and they have grown over the year to include divisions in Paintsville, Pikeville, Kentucky and Hurricane, West Virginia. Martin’s Peterbilt is proud to have three generations of Martin’s involved in the company. Terry attributes the success of his company to treating all employees and customers as if they are family. While there I met customers that have been purchasing products and services from them for all 50 years! BENTON LEXINGTON FLORENCE INSURANCE COVERAGES Liability Cargo Physical Damage Workers’ Comp General Liability Non-Trucking Liability Property Health Occupational Accident Passenger Accident Life 401K AND MUCH MORE! 1-800-489-4684 www.mtginsurance.com 30 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net Kentucky Trucker 31 Handling Corrosive Materials Calendar of Events What: Kentucky Trucking Association Risk & Safety Management Council Meetings When: 3rd Tuesday each Month (no meetings in May, June, July, August or December) Where: Holiday Inn South, 4110 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY Information: Kentucky Trucking Association hosts meetings each month with an array of speakers that is designed to help the motor carriers of Kentucky with their daily operation. Everyone is welcome to attend, members and non-members. Plan on attending these informative sessions and meet the Kentucky Trucking Association Staff What: Kentucky Truck Driving Championship When: March 18 – 19, 2016 Where: Papa John’s Stadium & Hilton Garden Inn Airport, Louisville, KY Information: The Truck Driving Championship is a competition of professional truck drivers which is hosted each year by the Kentucky Trucking Association and KY Risk & Safety Management Council. During the competition, drivers have the opportunity to demonstrate his or her driving and inspection skills, knowledge and professionalism through a series of tests. Call the office or visit the website to register. What: Mid-America Truck Show When: March 31 – April 2, 2016 Where: Kentucky Exhibition Center, Louisville, KY Information: For any carrier that conducts business in the state of Kentucky or any company that is a vendor to the trucking industry. Contact the office for VIP and general admission tickets. If you are not a member stop by and see what we are all about. What: Kentucky Trucking Association Annual Golf Classic When: June 23, 2016 Where: Wildwood Country Club, Louisville, KY Information: Save the date, registration information will be available in the upcoming weeks. Look forward to seeing everyone again. Visit our website for more information. What: KTA Annual Leadership & Management Conference When: September 7-9, 2016 Where: Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, KY Information: Save the date, registration information will be available after the first of the year. Make your reservations now to take advantage of the special room rates available to our members. Nationally recognized speaker, networking, and social events. A limited amount of Exhibitor space will be available. Call or email the office for more info. What: Kentucky Trucking Association 2016 Safety Awards Program When: Now through May 11, 2016 Information: The Kentucky Trucking Association Risk & Safety Council will have the Safety Awards program again this year. This program is available to all members of the association. Awards ceremony will be during the Chairman’s Dinner at the Annual Leadership & Management Conference in September. Check our website for entry forms and more information. 32 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association KyTrucking.net Acids and alkalis are categorized as “Corrosive Materials.” Acids like sulfuric acid and alkalis like sodium hydroxide (caustic) are hazardous to a person’s skin and eyes and are extremely harmful when ingested or inhaled. In addition to the health hazards, corrosive materials are highly reactive with other substances. Acids react with many metals and may release hydrogen, a flammable gas. Some acids are oxidizers and can react violently with other organic or oxidizing materials. Similarly, an alkali can react violently with other materials. Safe work practices must be observed when handling corrosive materials. Here are some simple rules for the safe handling of corrosive liquids: • Understand the meaning of the label on the material’s package. • Read and understand the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the material. • Corrosives must be stored properly. Store Acids and alkalis separately. • Store liquid corrosives below eye level. • Use extreme caution when moving containers of corrosives to prevent spills. • Ensure proper ventilation to reduce inhalation exposures. • Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). • Wear respiratory protection or a fume hood when handling materials posing an inhalation hazard. • Wear corrosive and slip-resistant footwear. • Wear corrosive-resistant gloves. • Wear corrosive-resistant clothing. • Ensure there is an adequate supply of spill control materials readily available. Kentucky Trucker 33 Why Join the Kentucky Trucking Association? KTA Member Benefits The KTA network allows its members to realize larger discounts than what they normally receive by working directly with various members. Voice in Frankfort An intangible service results in a tangible benefit for our members and the commercial trucking industry as a whole. The KTA network, through our legislative efforts, has produced a savings of $3,200 PER TRUCK PER YEAR. National Fuel Program The KTA has partnered with a 3rd party (Profit Tools for Trucks) to administer a fuel program for our members. They will do a fuel analysis for the KTA members to their current fuel program compares to your current program. The 3rd party will also handle the entire billing process for the motor carrier. Possible savings of up to 0.15 per gallon of fuel. The truck shop offers over 200 locations nationwide. Contact the KTA office for details on this program. UPS Discounts All KTA members can save up to 28% on UPS shipping services thanks to the exclusive agreement with the Kentucky Motor Transportation Association. That’s a significant savings, all with a carrier that guarantees delivery of more packages around the world than anyone, and delivers more packages overnight, on time in the U.S. than any other carrier. Simple shipping! Special savings! It’s that easy! JJ Keller Discounts KTA members can save up to 20% on all compliance supplies purchased through KTA and J.J. KELLER & ASSOCIATES. Hire Right This member-benefit program helps employers fulfill DOT/FMCSA Compliance Requirements while protecting themselves from fraud, liability, and negligent-hiring exposure. With more than 25 years in the transportation industry, USIS/DAC Services offers services such as drug/alcohol testing, MVRs, employment histories, criminal records, and more. For Sales contact Angela McElyea at 1.800.331.9175 ext. 2507. Best Pass KTA members can receive discounts on New York State Thruway tolls, Pennsylvania tolls, Maryland’s tolled bridges and now on the Ohio Turnpike. BESTPASS, owned and operated by the New York State Motor Truck Association, works with NORPASS, PrePass, and/or E-Z Pass systems. To start realizing your savings today, call 1.800.282.5463. PrePass/DriveWyze KTA members can save by using PrePass or DriveWyze for their scale house screening. By keeping your vehicles on the highway, you will save money in your operational costs. Health Insurance Plan Lower your health insurance premiums with KTA’s Healthcare Program. KTA has a network of agents that will give you a quote for the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan. Ask your agent about the Wholesale Trade Trust Insurance Program. This is an association-based insurance plan that has the potential to reduce your health insurance cost. With the new health care laws, KTA’s plan is going to provide our members a very good health care option. KTA Allied Network KTA members enjoy access to a network of vendors who support the commercial trucking industry. These “allied” members work very closely with our members to provide quality products and services. Because all KTA members have equal access to the allied members and their services, they are able to discuss the benefits and drawbacks to each item -- one more way to increase company effectiveness! 34 Kentucky Trucker New Members KTA – Motor Carriers Ace Trucking LLC. Joe Turner 379 Whitt Rd., Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 369-5743, [email protected] Cardinal Shower Enclosures John Huff 4795 Shepherdsville Road Louisville, KY 40220 (502) 969-4059 x1404 [email protected] Hidden Creek Transportation, LLC Roger Waddle 595 Enterprise Drive, Somerset, KY 42501 (606) 875-4549 [email protected] Jones Truck & Equipment, LLC Rick Ellis 67 Lonesome Cedar Dr. Pikeville, KY 41502 (606) 432-5724, [email protected] Kemper Brothers Inc Michael Muller 5365 US 42, Ghent, KY 41045 (502) 732-5047 [email protected] Kemper Construction LLC Paul Kemper P.O. Box 329, Carrollton, KY 41008 (502) 347-9735 [email protected] Road & Rail Services Adam Bobbitt 4233 Bardstown Road, Suite 200 Louisville, KY 40218 (502) 495-6688 [email protected] Shaw’s Contracting James Shaw 1056 Pitcock Road Summer Shade, KY 42166 (270) 646-6646, [email protected] KTA – Allied Members St Christopher Fund Shannon Currier P.O. Box 30763, Knoxville, TN 30763 (865) 202-9428 [email protected] Crestmark Bonnie Helgesen 800 Cresent Centre Drive Ste#620 Franklin, TN 37067 (615) 620-3537, [email protected] Thermo King of Indiana Tom Lantrip 3405 Industrial Parkway Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (812) 282-5022, [email protected] Travel Centers of America/Petro Kathy Perry 204 Sam Davis Dr., Springfield, TN 37172 (615) 382-3005 [email protected] Williams & Williams Inc Mr. Tony H Williams 2321 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40232 (502) 451-7000 [email protected] Kentucky Trucking Association proud supporter of the Kentucky Motor Transport Association Your local Cummins engine experts Whether your engine needs warranty work, an overhaul, routine maintenance or an emergency repair, you can depend on Cummins Crosspoint! Crosspoint offers four locations to serve Kentucky truckers, and each features: º Factory trained and certified technicians º Fully stocked Cummins Genuine & ReCon parts departments º Experienced Warranty staff that knows the Cummins claims process better than anyone º Field-service technicians available to do on-site repairs º In-shop Dyno Diagnostics and DPF Cleanings º 24-hour emergency service (additional fees may apply) º QuickServe bays to get you a preliminary diagnosis the same day If your engine needs service, call Crosspoint today. We’ll get you in, out and back on the road. Reducing your downtime is our No. 1 goal. Louisville, KY 9820 Bluegrass Pkwy. Louisville, KY 40299 502-491-4263 M-F 7:30 a – 8:15 p Evansville, IN 7901 Hwy 41 Evansville, IN 47725 812-867-4400 M-F 7 a – 11:45 p Hazard, KY 1868 South KY Hwy 15 Hazard, KY 41702 606-436-5718 M-F 8 a – 5 p Official Dealer No-idle, battery-powered cab-comfort system crosspoint.cummins.com Nashville, TN 706 Spence Lane Nashville, TN 37217 615-366-4341 M-F 7 a – Midnight Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc. has been The Source for Truck Insurance We Offer: • Fleet Physical Damage and Bobtail Programs for Owner/Operator • Instant Quotes for 1-15 Power Units • Primary Liability • Collision and Fire; Theft/CAC • Cargo • Workers’ Compensation • Safety/Loss Control • Bobtail/Deadhead writing truck insurance for over 30 years. Over the years, we have established ourselves as one of the most stable sources for truck insurance in the Midwest. We have several exclusive contracts and have access to virtually every insurance company writing trucking insurance. MARVI N JOHNSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. 30 YEARS OF SERVICE Before you renew, call (800) 457-5255 Specializing in Trucking Insurance Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.mjai.com 36 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association