DISA Expands Our Transportation Compliance Division into Canada
September 11, 2018
DISA Global Solutions continues its commitment to best serve our transportation clients by advancing our Transportation Compliance Division through service enhancements and expanded coverage.
The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule went fully into effect April 1, 2018 and has since been making positive strides in the transportation industry. The rule enforces drivers who are required to log Hours of Service (HOS) records of duty status (RODS) to use an ELD. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), since going into effect, “less than 1% (4,720) of all driver inspections (559,940) have resulted in the driver being cited for operating without a required ELD or grandfathered Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD).”
At a state and federal level, marijuana laws continue to change across the U.S., and employers are finding it more difficult to keep up with the legal ramifications for their employees. It’s important for employers to remain up-to-date on the various laws for each state, understand how it will impact their employment screening processes, and when it’s a dangerous policy, speak out to their state and federal offices.
As of July 1, 2018, Vermont became the latest state (in addition to the District of Columbia) to legalize recreational marijuana, and the first to legalize via legislative initiative. The bill, known as Act 86, legalizes the recreational use and growth of small amounts of marijuana for adults ages 21 and older. Recreational sales remain prohibited in the state. The law provides clarification for employers on how their drug-free workplace policies are to change in light of legalized marijuana in the state.
Substance abuse in the workplace is common, and although it can affect all businesses regardless of the industry, safety-sensitive positions experience a greater financial burden. The cost of substance abuse leads to higher insurance premiums, employee turnover, absenteeism, an increase in accidents, workers compensation claims, and errors, while also lowering employee productivity.
Although medical and recreational marijuana are not new concepts, recent legislative changes have expanded state laws in Vermont and Oklahoma leaving employers to question how workplace drug testing is going to change. As marijuana laws vary state-by-state it’s imperative for employers to stay-on-top of the latest updates.
Canada approved the legalization of recreational marijuana use with the Senate passing a historic bill on June 19, 2018 with a vote of 52-29. Bill C-45, otherwise known as the Cannabis Act, will restrict use to adults over the age of 18 and allow them to carry and share up to 30 grams of marijuana in public.
We’re pleased to announce that our very own VP of Product Strategy and Development, Steven Spencer, has been appointed to the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Safety Policy Committee. Becoming a member of the committee, Spencer will contribute to the work ATA provides on driver, carrier, and occupational safety and health issues.