How to Install Tire Chains On Your Truck

Winter is on it’s way and there are times the law says you have to use chains. Some times it’s just plain common sense to use tire chains.

 There are many narrow, mountain passes you can’t drive safely, or legally, without them. There are other cold and snowy roads they may just speed your trip. You need to use the right chains, installed as the manufacturer intended, to get their full benefit of the traction chains provide. Here are a couple videos showing you how to install tire chains on a truck and trailer.

 
How To Chain Your Tractor And Trailer Tires  
 
How To Chain Up!

How OSHA Protects American Workers at Central Transport LLC

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the US Department of Labor regularly monitors the safety of employees and workplace safety environment of many US businesses to ensure that no one has to sacrifice their life. Today, US employees in many sectors of industry risk their lives while on the job. Although the number has fallen substantially over the latter half of the 20^th century, in 2013, there were still just over 4,400 workers who died as a result of their work, according to OSHA.

It is through the use of citations that OSHA gets its message across, particularly when a company has disregarded several notices of its violations. The recent news have pointed out one of the newest culprits of this brutal problem and it turned out to be a trucking company known as Central Transport LLC. They were recently cited for not one, but five (!) safety violations this year (2014), including 3 that were repeat violations and 1 “willful” violation, which was done in complete disregard to previous accusations.

The price tag for just one of these willful violations reached $60,500 for serious defects found in the operating conditions of forklifts. For example, one headlight and tires from one of the forklifts were entirely damaged and had not been taken out of service. There were a host of other problems with other forklifts, including problems with brakes and battery cables. Other problems stemmed from the terminal dock itself, where hazardous working conditions included uncleanliness, leaking roofs and a lack of overhead doors.

No doubt, the company had been aware of these problems for quite some time now, yet nothing was ever done to resolve them, as is evidenced by the repeat violations. Exposing employees to such conditions are indeed hazardous and could have resulted in serious injuries due to slips and falls or other forms of physical harm.

Overall, the total sum of all citations for CentralTransport LLC came out to $145,420, a large penalty to pay for problems that could have been resolved much sooner. The company is currently in the process of contesting these penalties and we shall await and see how much they will have to pay in the end.

OSHA regularly protects US citizens from hazardous working conditions and asks the public to inform them upon finding anything suspicious in their working environment that may warrant further inspection. They can be reached toll-free at (800) 321-OSHA (6742).

September 2014 BTS Freight Transportation Services Index

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, rose 0.3 percent in September from August, rising for the third consecutive month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The September 2014 index level (121.5) was 28.5 percent above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession. 

The level of freight shipments in September measured by the Freight TSI (121.5) reached its all-time high. BTS’ TSI records begin in 2000. 

The August index was revised to 121.2 from 120.9 in last month’s release. There were smaller upward revisions for each of the previous months in 2014. 

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight. 

Analysis: All freight modes grew in September except rail carloads, which were unchanged. During the month, several other indicators of related parts of the economy that often impact transportation increased. In particular, industrial production grew 1 percent after several months of slow or negative growth. Manufacturers’ shipments and inventories both increased – inventories have increased for 22 of 23 months to reach an historic high. 

Trend: The Freight TSI increased for the third month in a row in September, reaching an all-time high. The increase was a return to growth after a decline in June. Third quarter 2014 also represented a return to growth after two quarters of modest quarterly declines. The quarterly growth (2.3 percent) was the most rapid since the fourth quarter of 2011. After dipping to 94.6 in April 2009, the index rose 28.5 percent in the succeeding 65 months. 

            See Freight TSI Press Release for summary tables and additional data. See Transportation Services Index for historical data and methodology.

What is a Dashcam?

A dashcam (this is also referred to as dashboard cameras) is an onboard camera that is connected to a vehicle's internal windscreen by either a provided suction cup or a tape mount. This device successively records the route in front of a trucker, while the vehicle is driven on the highway or in motion. However, if an accident occurs on the road, video evidences are generally provided with the aid of dashcams. Several types of dashcams can be purchased in the market, ranging from basic and simple video cameras (camcorders) to those which additionally records variables such as time, date, speed, location and G-forces.

Although it may be promising to use almost any recording device as a dashboard camera, purpose-built dashcams are essentially the best to use. There are actually are a few key factors that distinguishes them from other portable and handheld recording devices. These key factors also make dashboard cameras stress-free and more appropriate than the other alternatives.

In order to really see what sets dashboard cameras apart from general purpose recorders, it is crucial to have an in-depth knowledge of how a dashcam actually functions. An archetypal dashboard camera comprises a few of basic components which include:

• a video camera
•  hard-wired power inputs signals
•  Integrated or detachable storage media

Function follows form in the event of dashcams, so you can probably get a pretty good idea of how they function by observing the sparse list of mechanisms.

A dashboard camera is characteristically wired or built into a circuit and automatically becomes operational only when the ignition key is in the start or run position. And without any recording controls, dashcams are usually made to record continuously whenever they are turned on. With that at heart, it is possible to see how these basic devices were created to automatically switch on and start footage whenever the car is driven, without any significance of any effort or interaction of the driver in any way.

This can be distinguished from the all-purpose portable recording devices. Even though any recording device can be used as a dashcam, it is imperative to know that these devices are manually turned on by the truckers and set to record every time they enter the truck. If by any chance the truck driver forgets to switch it on and just happens to be involved in an accident, then such event is never recorded.

These devices have accomplished enormous reputation in Russia, where video evidence of traffic accidents is desirable than spoken evidences in court. In Russia, dashcams are well-known as a kind of surveillance, further evidence in court and also as a guard against insurance scam and police corruption. They have been referred to as ever-present and an on-line obsession. In fact, in the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor, dashcam footage was the most common footage which was recorded from different viewpoints or directions. Numerous videos which have revealed car accidents, close calls, and attempts of insurance fraud have been uploaded to video sharing websites like YouTube.

However, in countries like Germany, Austria and Switzerland, dashcams are prohibited by law. Also, in Poland and Australia footage on public roads is allowed, provided that the recording does not infringe upon an individual’s privacy in a way that may be considered wrong in a court of law.