DOT launches pre-employment screening program to improve safety

The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently launched a program aimed at improving the safety of commercial vehicle drivers.

The Pre-Employment Screening Program allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process. The program offers access up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data regardless of the state or jurisdiction. By using driver safety information during preemployment screening, officials said commercial carriers will be able to better assess the potential safety risks of prospective driver-employees. The program also gives drivers additional opportunities to verify the data in their driving history and correct any discrepancies. The agency noted that driving records will be protected in accordance with federal privacy laws.

"Safety is our highest priority," said Ray LaHood, secretary of the DOT. "The Pre-Employment Screening Program sends a strong message to commercial carriers and drivers that we are serious about having the safest drivers behind the wheel of large trucks and buses."

OSHA launches Web page, issues directive to address violence (09/30/11)
Mixed results on latest occupational fatality rates (10/29/12)
Engineering, administrative controls to reduce poultry plant infections (02/25/13)
Study shows increase in number of homicides by intimate partners (06/18/12)
New initiative seeks to arm employees against injuries (05/13/13)

Anne S. Ferro, administrator of the FMCSA, said the Pre-Employment Screening Program will be populated monthly by the agency's Motor Carrier Management Information System, which is comprised of driver performance data, including inspection and compliance review results, enforcement data, state-reported crashes, and motor carrier census data.

"The Pre-Employment Screening Program raises the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and helps to make our roads safer for everyone," she said.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

September 9, 2010

Newsletter Sign-up