Posts Tagged ‘Ltl freight companies’

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT !!!

By Kelly Gallegos

Passing DOT Inspections earn drivers extra money. Clean Level 1 inspections are worth $100.00. Level 2 is worth $50.00 and Level 3 is worth $25.00 It can really add up quickly over time. Take the time to look through your book and make sure all of your permits are updated. Make sure your current medical card is readily available and in the same place for quick access. If you can provide a neat organized permit book and up to date medical card quickly the DOT officer is going to see that you are organized and ready to pass the inspection.  

 

***Bonus Tip***

Make sure when you get an updated medical card or any of the permits in your book to discard the old ones.  If you present the officer with an expired document you will get a ticket even if you later discover you had the current document in your possession.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Recognition For a Job Well Done

By Whit Welch

One of our customers took the time this week to comment on working with Navajo. As a member of the Sales Team, I get comments from our customers on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s a formal report; sometimes it’s an e-mail or a phone call. Generally these comments have to do with an issue.  We deliver loads safely and on time 98% of the time. Unfortunately, it’s the other 2% that everyone wants to talk about. That is the nature of our business. However, this week one of our customers recognized a member of the Navajo Service Team for her outstanding work.

 

Marsha Browning has been recognized by Mattel for her ability to service this account. Mattel cited Marsha for her attitude, communication skills, and her ability to solve problems.  Our growth with Mattel is a direct result of the service Marsha provides.  Marsha was nominated by Gayle Martin at Mattel. Out of all of the carriers that Gayle deals with, she chose Marsh at Navajo for this award. I would like to thank Marsha for her exceptional work and congratulate her for providing such service to our customer. Good service is what defines successful trucking companies. Marsha is a great example of the type of company Navajo is.

Are You Ready If You Have Any Accident

By Ron Wristen

 Macro 10:

We all know an accident can happen at any time. That is why they are called “Accidents”. Make sure you are prepared for an accident.   If you are involved in an accident, be sure to get as much information as possible from the other driver and put your comments in the section in Macro 10.

 

 

Does your truck have an accident kit?  If you don’t then you need to stop by Safety to get one!

 

 

Accident Kit consist of:

Vehicle Accident Policy Procedures

Exoneration Card/Witness Card

“If you have an accident” Envelope

Driver Statement

Chain of Custody & U/A Cup

Disposable Camera

Fedex Envelope & Shipping Label.

 

Make sure you are prepared in the event of an accident.

DOT Bars Commercial Drivers from Texting

By David Lemke

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Department is prohibiting truck drivers from sending text messages while operating commercial vehicles.

The prohibition, which applies to drivers of interstate trucks over 10,000 pounds. Truck drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750, the department said. Research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting, the department said. At 55 miles per hour, this means that the driver is traveling the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road, the department said.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Details and Accuracy Are Vital In Claims

By Tina Madrid

Putting together the best practices to manage freight claims is more than just training drivers during orientation visits. It is necessary for us to be able to capture every relevant detail pertaining to all OS&D issues at the time it occurs. Not only can this be vital but the task of validating the information begins to properly settle a freight claim.

All the information the driver can give while it is fresh in their minds is necessary to record in our system as customers have up to 9 months from the date of delivery to file a claim. We have to have all valuable information in our records and in order so we are prepared if/when we do receive claims.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Preventing Accidents, Easy As Double Checking

By Lydia Paulson

Ron Wristen and I work in the Safety Department and we are seeing a lot of accidents that could be preventable if the driver would take just a moment to check to make sure nothing is behind them before backing up. 

We also see a lot of accidents where the driver hits a fixed object.  We ask that you just take a moment to check your surroundings to make sure it is safe to back up or make a left or right turn.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

What is O,S, &D

By Tina Madrid

OS&D (OVER, SHORT & DAMAGE)

 

Definition – A report logged by a receiver of a shipment that details what items listed in the shipping documents that have been received over-shipped, short-shipped, or in an unsatisfactory or damaged condition.

 

Unfortunately, accidents do happen and occasionally we experience  loss or damage. Our goal is to minimize any loss or damage of  product while it’s in our care, custody, and control, by using our claims prevention policies.

 

-Keep in and out seal record for all stops on all loads.

-Supervise loading and unloading when allowed.

-Report all discrepancies at the time of delivery.

-Check temperature on a regular basis to make sure it is set and reading correct.

-Always use enforcer lock to ensure no access to the trailer by unauthorized persons.

 

If these steps are followed, it helps protect the driver as well as the company with whatever issues there may be.    

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Don’t Drive Angry…

By Brandon Leonard

On the way home the other day I saw a car cut off an 18 wheeler (Couldn’t see the company). I was surprised to see that the 18 wheeler backed off and didn’t show that he was aggravated at all. 

There are so many times that I see a car cut a big rig off and then the big rig will ride the cars bumper to try to intimidate them.  This is very dangerous and can cause a very serious accident.

I just wanted to post saying when you are out there on the road, be courteous and if someone cuts you off just back off to a safe following distance and shake your head. BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!

A New #1 Cause Of Distracted Drivers

By David Lemke

In the past, there was a common belief that the use of mobile phones was the top reason for distracted driving during truck driving jobs. A recent report by the SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index (SDDI) revealed that for 2010, it came second to a new top reason for possible cause of road accidents or crashes. The new number one is having an object in your hand while driving.

The SDDI used video cameras to record 34,466 truck drivers as they worked. The data showed that operating an mp3 player or even looking into some paperwork are high-risk distractions. Other causes for increased chances of road accidents are listed as follows:

 

44.5% Object in hand (PDAs, mp3 players, paperwork)

13.4% Talking on a handheld mobile phone

12.7% Beverage

10.1% Food

9.9% Smoking

9.1% Operating a handheld device

5.2% Talking/listening on a hands free mobile phone

1% Map, Manifest or Navigation

0.6% Grooming/Personal hygiene

 

When behind the wheel, avoid all issues that may lead to a loss of road concentration! Drive Safe.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

When Does Your Physical Expire, You Should Know

By Marlene Settlemire

Driver reminder to be aware of when your DOT physical is due and get your new one before the old one expires. By keeping it current you can avoid an out of service and a CSA violation.

Remember that Navajo does not accept physicals that are done by a chiropractor. Make sure before leaving the clinic that the long form and medical card are filled out completely. Fax or bring in a copy of the long form and medical card to the Denver safety department.

If you reside in a state that requires you to send you long form and medical card to that state do not forget to do so, your CDL will be suspended if you do not comply.