DriverCheck’s 3rd annual Fitness for Duty Summit has officially opened for registration! As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to pivot from our original plans (shocker!) and decided to host a virtual event.
The Fitness for Duty Summit will be four days of learning sessions from October 13-16, 2020. There will be at least three events scheduled per day, for 60 minutes each. Attend all of the sessions or just those that are of interest to or convenient for you.
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse – Did You Know?
We would like to remind you that the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has been in effect since January 6, 2020, that’s just over 8 months now! That means if you are a DOT employer and have FMCSA regulated drivers crossing the Canada-US border you need to participate in the Clearinghouse to be in compliance.
Clearinghouse & Cognitive Testing | DriverCheck & Dawg On-It Trucking PawedCast
Jeremy Thiel, Senior Manager – Marketing, Ideas & Education sits down with Chris Harris, The Safety Dog from Dawg On-It Trucking PawedCast to discuss drug and alcohol clearinghouse and advancements in cognitive testing.
To learn more about Dawg On-It Trucking PawedCast visit: https://safetydawg.com/
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fkxImDo1NDfVsLXgjymY7
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYJbIpyOVPwczZw30Cil4Jw
ClientView 2.0 Beta Phase Ending
Back in April 2019, we launched eManda ClientView 2.0 Beta. Until now, clients have had the option to opt-out of the new experience and continue using the classic version of eManda ClientView.
On July 22, 2020 eManda ClientView Classic will officially be phased out. As you may have noticed, eManda ClientView 2.0 is now the default platform for all clients logging onto eManda.
FMCSA Pre-Employment Testing Exemption
Dear Valued Client,
We wanted to inform you that the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is granting a waiver on certain pre-employment tests where a driver had to be laid-off or furloughed due to the pandemic.
Effective June 5, 2020 to September 30, 2020 those FMCSA drivers who were in a regulated random pool but were laid off or furloughed now have 90 days to qualify for the pre-employment testing exception under 49 CFR 382.301(b) of the regulations.
DriverCheck Fort McMurray Clinic Reopening
Dear Valued Client,
Back in April, our DriverCheck Fort McMurray clinic was temporarily relocated, due to flooding that occurred in the region.
At this time, we are happy to welcome you back to our DriverCheck Fort McMurray clinic (8217 Franklin Avenue, T9H 4P4), reopening June 8. We will continue to operate under normal hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5pm MST.
Risk Management in the Workplace
Assessing risk is a critical component of eliminating a hazardous workplace environment. Not only does a regular risk assessment limit potential workplace injuries, but it can also be used as a tool to identify any inefficiencies or inconsistencies within your operations.
Truth be told, we prepare our blog articles weeks and sometimes months in advance. When we originally drafted this article, COVID-19 was still in its infancy, and not the global epidemic that it clearly is now. COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of having mitigation plans in place for when a crisis does occur – and unexpectedly.
Access to Capital Webinar - Department of Transportation
Access to Capital Webinar
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
The event will commence at 1:00 p.m. EST
The following message is being shared on behalf of the Department of Transportation:
The United States Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) invites you to participate at the Department's “Access to Capital” Webinar to be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020. The webinar will start promptly at 1:00 pm, EST.
The OSDBU mission is to ensure that small business concerns have maximum practicable opportunities to participate in DOT procurement opportunities as prime contractors and subcontractors. Capital is the lifeline of any businesses, but especially small businesses. Most entrepreneurs cannot start new businesses or grow their existing companies without adequate financing. To assist small businesses in that capacity, we are hosting a webinar in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide an overview of available programs. The subjects that may be covered include:
SBA Loan Programs, including Disaster loans
Small Business Investment Company
If you are interested to participate, please click here to register. Please register by COB April 17th, 2020.
For any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 202-366-1930 or email us at dot-osdbu@dot.gov.
NEW CANNABIS PRODUCTS BRING NEED FOR MORE EDUCATION
On October 17, 2019 cannabis edibles, extracts, and topicals became legal in Canada. With a 60-day notice to Health Canada required prior to the sale of these products, we are only now beginning to see these products for sale in Canada.
In the 1960s and ‘70s, cannabis contained approximately one to three percent THC (the active constituent of cannabis that is responsible for the intoxicating and impairing effects). With the legalization of extracts, very high potency THC (or concentrates) will begin to fill the shelves. Some of these products contain up to 99 percent THC, producing significantly greater intoxication and prolonged impairing effects.
Maintaining Calm & Resilience Amidst the Coronavirus, COVID-19 Storm
Given all the COVID-19, Coronavirus concerns and uncertainty, there is certainly a lot of stress we're all facing right now which can lead to a feeling of overwhelm.
We all like a degree of control and certainty/predictability in our lives and with this virus its kind of like watching a train wreck happening in slow motion without being able to do anything about it (low control) AND not sure exactly how it's all going to play out in the near (or distant) future, yet knowing it's probably going to be a bumpy ride, how bumpy, how long? We’re just not sure, which creates uncertainty.
Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout | Noun: A type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.
In a world where the demand on everyone’s time far exceeds what we actually have to give in a day, it’s no wonder more and more people are feeling the effects of workplace burnout. Finding that delicate balance between personal and professional life plagues many and tends to be more heavily weighted on one side versus the other.
Save the Date | Fitness for Duty Summit 2020
Extended Hours at DriverCheck Clinics | Starting March 9, 2020
We are pleased to announce that we will be open for extended hours at our Calgary, and Edmonton West locations starting March 9, 2020.
We realize that this is a busy time of the season for many organizations, so we are opening our doors longer to help accommodate after-hours requests and streamline your fitness for duty testing requirements!
International Women's Day | We are #EachForEqual
In honour of International Women's Day, we asked the women of DriverCheck to share what the day means to them, and their thoughts on gender equality.
DriverCheck is proud to be woman-owned and operated, and have a workforce that is over 80% female.
Our mission is to build a healthier and safer world, and believe this cannot happen without equality.
Please subscribe, and like this video on our YouTube Channel, if you want to see more Fitness for Duty related content!
Misleading Emails Regarding FMCSA Clearinghouse - How You Can Keep Your Company Safe
(Closed) Register Now, Fit for Duty Expert Panel | 2020 Petroleum Safety Conference
Conference Program Highlight:
FIT FOR DUTY EXPERT PANEL - DRIVERCHECK
DriverCheck, Energy Safety Canada and the 2020 Petroleum Safety Conference have partnered to bring you a unique #FitForDuty Expert panel experience.
Many factors can affect a worker’s ability to perform work safely, including fatigue, alcohol and drugs, mental health and a variety of stressors.
Precarious Work & the Well-Being of Employees - What you Need to Know as an Employer
EDIBLES, EXTRACTS, and TOPICALS – Oh My…..
On October 17, 2019 cannabis edibles, extracts, and topicals became legal in Canada. However, due to the requirement of licenced producers to provide a 60-day notice to Health Canada, Canadians did not see these products available until mid-December.
Employers have had many questions regarding the new products and DriverCheck wanted to provide our clients with the information they need to navigate through this new space.