Martin Transportation Systems, 7300 Clyde Park, S.W., Byron Center, MI 49315 www.mtstrans.com Phone (616) 455-8850 Fax (616) 281-7553 Breakdown 24/7 (800) 968-3188 DIGEST Affordable Care Act Signed into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act expands health insurance in the US to provide access to health care for more people. So far, you may have seen the effects of the law, such as expanding dependent coverage to age 26 and covering more preventative care services at 100%. Some of the bigger changes will take effect in 2014, include: Most US citizens and legal residents must have health insurance or pay a tax penalty. This is known as the individual mandate. Beginning 10/1/13, individuals will be able to shop for and compare health insurance plans through the state-based, online Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov . Benefit-eligible MTS employees will more than likely not qualify because of access to a MTS medical plan that meets minimum essential health coverage and affordability requirements. Keep in mind, if you enroll in a MTS medical plan, MTS pays the majority of the costs. Companies like MTS will be required to pay for the funding and management of some of the provisions, including fees to help conduct medical outcomes research and operationalize the Health Care Marketplace. These taxes and fees also go into effect beginning in 2014. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Health Care Reform 1 Cell Phone Discount Programs 2 Toledo Birth Announcement 2 New Terminal Location – Marshall, MI 2 Compliance Tips 3 Meet the Breakdown Department 4 Deer Safety Tips 5 Adding your DOT physical to your CDL Deadline 6 Holidays 6 Border Crossing Hints 7 Winter Driving Tips 8 November – December 2013 Volume 1, Issue 2 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM……. DON’T MISS Your chance to choose THE RIGHT BENEFITS FOR YOU! WATCH for MTS Benefit Open Enrollment coming December 1, 2013. All documents will be available at www.mtstrans.com in the Benefits section. Remember, if you are eligible and enroll for medical coverage through MTS, you’ll meet the new Affordable Care Act individual mandate.
Transcript
Martin Transportation Systems, 7300 Clyde Park, S.W., Byron Center, MI 49315 www.mtstrans.com Phone (616) 455-8850 Fax (616) 281-7553 Breakdown 24/7 (800) 968-3188
DIGEST
Affordable Care Act
Signed into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act
expands health insurance in the US to provide
access to health care for more people. So far, you
may have seen the effects of the law, such as
expanding dependent coverage to age 26 and
covering more preventative care services at 100%.
Some of the bigger changes will take effect in
2014, include:
Most US citizens and legal residents must
have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
This is known as the individual mandate.
Beginning 10/1/13, individuals will be able to
shop for and compare health insurance
plans through the state-based, online Health
Insurance Marketplace at
www.healthcare.gov. Benefit-eligible MTS
employees will more than likely not qualify
because of access to a MTS medical plan
that meets minimum essential health
coverage and affordability requirements.
Keep in mind, if you enroll in a MTS medical
plan, MTS pays the majority of the costs.
Companies like MTS will be required to pay
for the funding and management of some
of the provisions, including fees to help
conduct medical outcomes research and
operationalize the Health Care
Marketplace. These taxes and fees also go
into effect beginning in 2014.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Health Care Reform 1
Cell Phone Discount Programs 2
Toledo Birth Announcement 2
New Terminal Location – Marshall, MI 2
Compliance Tips 3
Meet the Breakdown Department 4
Deer Safety Tips 5
Adding your DOT physical to your CDL Deadline 6
Holidays 6
Border Crossing Hints 7
Winter Driving Tips 8
November – December 2013
Volume 1, I ssue 2
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM…….
DON’T MISS Your chance to choose
THE RIGHT BENEFITS FOR YOU! WATCH for MTS Benefit Open
Enrollment coming December 1, 2013. All documents will be available at
MTS Cell Phone Discount Program MTS employees are eligible for discounts at the following cell phone providers. To find out how you can receive discounts on phones, calling plans, accessories and more through this program, employees should contact the provider directly either online or at a retail outlet:
http://mtsverizon.mtstrans.com
http://mtsatt.mtstrans.com
http://mtssprint.mtstrans.com
Note: Discounts may vary by provider.
Toledo Birth Announcement
Matt Bohland and his wife Kelli had a
newborn son named Harrison on
Wednesday 10-2-2013
Congratulations!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST TERMINAL
LOCATION
18749 E Michigan Ave Marshall, Michigan 49068
This new terminal location is just east of
Battle Creek, MI. They have one drive through bay for repairs. Parking is to only on
the West side of the parking lot.
Terminal Manager – Archie Mears Day Shift Mechanic – Jeff L. Wood
The breakdown department at MTS is always busy taking calls from drivers or vendors.
They average around 30 breakdown calls a day! Thank you for all you do!
Monthly Stats of Road Calls Entered
January 721
February 733
March 756
April 839
May 696
June 733
July 650
August 913
September 793
Kevin Allen –MTS 6 years
Ken Bailey – MTS 3 years
Sherry Sterken MTS 7 years
No Photo Available
Joel Collins - MTS 3 years
Brad Baar –MTS 4 years
Gerald Schwartz MTS 8 years
Page 5 MTS DIGEST
Deer Safety: Tips for Avoiding a Collision By: Mary Stachura – HR & Safety
It is that time of year again, when coming upon
deer in the road is more common place.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle
collisions resulted in an average of 187 fatalities in
recent years.
DEER STATISTICS
Dawn and Dusk are the times you are most
likely to encounter deer along the roadside.
Deer breeding season runs from October
through early January, and during this time
they are highly active and on the move.
This is when deer-vehicle collisions are at
their peak.
As pack animals, deer almost never travel
alone. If you see one deer, you can bet that
there are others nearby.
PREVENTIVE TECHNIQUES
The two most important ways to avoid a
deer-vehicle collision are: slow down and
SLOW DOWN. If you are driving through an
area known for high deep populations, slow
down and observe the speed limit. The
more conservative you are with your speed,
the more time you will have to brake if an
animal darts in your path.
Watch for the shine of the eyes along the
roadside and immediately begin to slow
down.
Use your high beams whenever the road is
free of oncoming traffic. This will increase
your visibility and give you more time to
react.
Deer can become mesmerized by steady,
bright lights so if you see one frozen on the
road, slow down and flash your lights.
Pay close attention to caution signs
indicating deer or other large animals.
These signs are specifically placed in high-
traffic areas where road crossings are
frequent.
ENCOUNTERING A DEER
NEVER SWERVE to avoid a deer in the road.
Swerving can confuse the deer on where to
run. Swerving can also cause a head-on
collision with oncoming vehicles, take you
off the roadway into a tree or a ditch, and
greatly increase the chances of serious
injuries.
If one does move into your path, maintain
control and do your best to brake and give
the deer time to get out of your way.
Don’t rely on hood whistles or other
devices designed to scare off deer. These
have not been proven to work.
If you do collide with a deer, call emergency
services if injuries are involved or the local
police if no one is injured, but damage has
been caused to your vehicle. Never touch
the animal that is in the roadway.
Recent Deer Damage to one of our Units
Page 6
MTS DIGEST
Deadline to tire DOT physical to your CDL approaches! By Jeff Wood – Safety Director
The deadline to tie your DOT physical card to your
CDL license is January, 2014!
Drivers who fail to certify with their state driver license agency that they
have a valid DOT physical will see their CDL privileges suspended in
January, 2014.
By now you should have received at least one (if not more) notices from
your state driver license agency regarding the need to self-certify that you
have a valid DOT physical, and the instructions on how to accomplish it.
The purpose of this regulation is to eliminate the need for you to carry your
DOT physical card after January, 2014. If you have a valid physical and
have provided proof to your state driver license agency, then your CDL will
be valid when examined by law enforcement.
MTS will be running driver annual MVR reviews in November. Drivers who
have not yet certified will be given one reminder. We will recheck driver
MVRs at the end of December. Any driver who hasn’t certified will be
taken off schedule in Jan. 2014, until certification is accomplished. We
have no choice in the matter as we cannot run you on a suspended
license.
Each Terminal Manager and Safety Manager has a copy of the listing that
shows how certification can be accomplished in your state.
Holidays By Dawn Mars – Tire Coordinator
This newsletter will most likely come out in Mid
November with the next one due out in mid February.
Due to this, I just wanted to take a moment from all of us
here at the Home Terminal, to wish everyone and their
families a safe and wonderful holiday season!
Page 7 MTS DIGEST
Helpful Hints for Crossing an
International Border
By Tom Pinsonneault & Kelly Van Vugt
Depending on whether you have a FAST or
ACE/ACI load, have all of your documents
and cards ready before you reach the
booth. Make sure you are in the correct
lane. The load and the driver must both be
FAST approved in order to use the FAST
lane. Turn your cell phone off before you
reach the booth and turn your engine off
when you reach the booth.
Make sure your ACE/ACI is cleared before
you reach customs. Get your entry number
from your dispatcher and write it on your
Lead Sheet. Verify the driver name, unit
numbers and license plate numbers are all
correct on your Lead Sheet before
heading to the customs booth.
Any trailer, whether FAST or ACE/ACI or an
empty trailer, requires a high security seal
when crossing the border. Failure to do so
could result in a fine to the driver and the
company or could result in customs pulling
the company’s FAST privileges. This in turn
affects all drivers in having major delays
crossing the border. Make sure to record
your seal # on your paperwork.
If you have an “in-bound” load coming
into Canada, be sure to stop at the Bond
Shed first and break the bond. Get a
stamped copy of the bond with the
perforated holes and then proceed to
customs.
Examples of a
High Security Seal
Chrysler
GM Mexico In-Bound
Regular GM
MTS
Page 8
MTS DIGEST
Winter Driving tips By: Jeff Wood – Safety Director
As if winter roads aren’t enough of a problem, the facts are your problems can start well before you exit the yard. Cold
weather is tough on equipment, just like it’s tough on the operator. Here are some tips (courtesy of the School of Hard
Knocks) to keep you trouble-free this winter:
WWaattcchh yyoouurr hhooookk--uupp Snow and ice in a 5th wheel’s jaws – or just cold/frozen grease – can foil the best hook-up attempt and set you up for a
big trailer de-couple wreck once you leave the yard. The only way to be sure things are right is to do a proper pre-trip
after you hook up. This includes looking underneath to be sure the release latch is all the way in. Then follow up by
looking into the king-pin pocket with a flashlight to be sure the lock is engaged. A frozen 5th wheel that is closed - but
not locked - might pass a tug test, especially on a snowy parking lot with no tire resistance when you pull the trolley
valve. Then it’ll open once you’re on the road. It’s like a hand grenade with a loose pin. Usually this happens the first
time you turn, hit a bump, or hit the brakes on dry road. A de-coupled loaded trailer is a 50,000 pound weapon over
which you have zero control once it leaves your tractor.
WWaattcchh yyoouurr sstteepp,, ttoooo
It’s dangerous enough getting in and out of a truck in good weather. Compound this action with snow and ice and you
are in some first-class peril. Keep your three-point grip in mind. One hand and two feet - or two hands and one foot –
are in contact with the vehicle at all times. Watch your step when you hit the ground. Don’t ever jump! Wear good
quality work shoes with slip-resistant, traction-providing lugs or tread pattern. You can also purchase secondary soles
with wires or studs for the bottom of your shoes or boots. These are usually held in place with rubber binders or cloth
straps.
FFrroozzeenn wwhheeeellss aarree aa bbaadd ddeeaall
Can’t escape frozen wheels in the winter. The trailer hits the yard, brake drums are wet, and water freezes the shoes to
the drum as the equipment sits overnight. Next driver hooks up, slams the air to the trailer and hauls out the gate.
One mile down the road he’s on the shoulder with 2 blown tires, a trail of rubber and smoke marking his path. Nothing
says “rookie” like dragging a trailer down the road until the rubber blows off the rim. Check for free wheel spin before
you leave the yard. Charge the brakes and roll around the yard, turning your tractor left and right until you can see the
trailer tires and make sure they’re all rolling. If they’re not, get the shop to help you get the drums freed from the brake
shoes before you hit the dry pavement. When you return to the yard, leave the trailer brakes charged for a few minutes
while you close out your paperwork. This allows the water to run off/dry on the drums and shoes. A big hammer and
steel bar will help bust shoes loose from a frozen drum if you don’t want to wait for a road service call at a drop lot.
PPrreeppaarraattiioonn iiss kkeeyy
Inspect your equipment well before leaving in bad weather. Clean all lights and glass. Make sure your wiper blades are good and the washer bottle is full. Drive with your lights on at a safe, sane speed – especially on curves, in turns and on ramps. Avoid panic moves and panic braking. Don’t tailgate. Don’t drive faster than what conditions dictate. If the weather dictates, shut it down if necessary to keep you, your load and the motoring public safe. Keep the cruise control turned off. Keep the Jake Brake turned off. Anticipate ice on wind-blown roads, overpasses, shaded spots,
and underpasses. Carry bottled water, extra warm clothes and blankets, and some non-perishable food in case you break down or get stuck.
