Safety Tips For Blind Spots

The FMCSA put out an article talking about blind spot safety. This is something everyone has been guilty or a victim of. When driving down the road we sometimes forget, that truck drivers can’t see you if you get right up on their rear. These tips will hopefully help you next time you are driving down the road. Remember if you can’t see their mirrors they most likely can’t see you!

As a commercial driver there is many blind spots on all four sides of the truck and trailer. A truck’s blind spots are called, “No Zones”. Other drivers should attempt to stay out of these “No Zones”. A No Zone is the area around the truck where a car can no longer be seen or you are so close that the truck can’t stop or maneuver safely. Vehicles should try to stay out of a CMV’s blind spot when the driver is turning, backing, or changing lanes. Give them room!

Drivers should also give the truck plenty of following distance so the commercial driver can see the vehicles behind them. Give them a lane on the driver side, 2 lanes on the passenger side and 20 ft in front and 30 ft in back. This can help cars stay out of a driver’s blind spot.

When passing always pass on the left side of the truck and be sure to give plenty of room before merging back into the same lane as a commercial vehicle. It takes longer for a truck to stop than a car. So truckers need more space in front of them than cars do.

Referenced from: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-blind-spots

September-CVSA Brake Safety Reminder

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced major changes to the way that they’ll conduct the Operation Air-brake Program this year.

For years now, the CVSA has held a full week-long Brake Safety Week inspection campaign in the fall. This year, however, they will be shaking up the routine by eliminating the week long brake inspection blitz and replacing it with a single day enforcement campaign that will be held on Thursday, September 7.

In addition to the one day brake inspection campaign, the CVSA will hold an unannounced brake inspection event that could happen “at any time throughout the year.”

During both the one day event and the surprise inspection event, the CVSA will be performing primarily Level IV inspections on large commercial vehicles throughout North America.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lori Gamboe in Safety 580-338-9775.

Sourced from: http://cvsa.org/news-entry/cvsas-brake-safety-day-sept-7-2017/

Tips to Stay Hydrated this Summer

While out on the road sometimes we forgetto stay hydrated. With summer temps skyrocketing this year remember to stay hydrated out there!

-Drink—stay hydrated with good ol’ H2O! When we sweat our body experiences fluid loss, try to get eight glasses of water in per day. Try to avoid drinks that might dehydrate you such as caffeinated beverages and coffee.

-Sip on sports drinks or coconut water—When we sweat we tend to lose electrolytes. Electrolytes are defined as minerals found in the blood that help to regulate the amount of water in the body. Sports drinks can help rehydrate your body because they contain electrolytes, which regular water does not. During physical activity you lose electrolytes and then when you hydrate with a Gatorade or Powerade those sport drinks put electrolytes back into your system. If sport drinks are not your thing or you are wanting more of a natural alternative reach for coconut water.  Coconut water has natural electrolytes and is packed with many benefits including: calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

Opt for fruit—fruit can be a great source of electrolytes and fluids. Banana’s might be your best bet as they have high levels of electrolytes and potassium.

Stop if you feel dizzy—Feeling lightheaded is a sign of dehydration and signal to tone it down a notch. Feeling dizzy is an indicator that its time to hydrate. When there is not enough water in your blood, both blood volume and blood pressure drop and this results in dizziness.

Driver Spotlight

Freddie F. has been with Seaboard Transport as a lease driver since May 2014. He has helped us out a couple of times this year with Butterball promotions. One with the TODAY show in Chicago and another with a training video. He has done a great job representing Seaboard Transport and we would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the company.

An easy way to put money back in your pocket...

Want to know an easy way to put money back in your pocket? That’s easy take advantage of the fuel discount offered by your company. Seaboard Transport has an outstanding fuel discount with Pilot Flying J and Sapp Brothers. Saving drivers anywhere from $200-$300 per month when they fuel in network. That is money back in the drivers’ pocket. This is a straight through fuel discount that means that the driver is paying what the retailer paid that day plus one cent. The majority of our fleet already takes advantage of this fuel discount, for an owner operator they should.

Pilot Flying J is the largest operator of travel centers in North America, and are committed to their customers and communities. They have been striving to better their business over the last couple of years. Pilot Flying J has implemented initiatives on reducing emissions, conserving energy and sourcing wholesome fresh food ingredients. Offering over 65,000+ parking spaces and the fastest Wifi around.

Pilot Flying J has a loyalty card program. Here is how it ties to Seaboard. At the pump the driver swipes their Seaboard EFS fuel card to initiate the transaction; then the driver swipes their loyalty card. That is done every time a driver fuels. This is done for each transaction. When a driver leaves a company they keep the same loyalty card and it and it ties the loyalty card to the fuel card each time they are swiped. Drivers get special deals at Pilot Flying J and in their restaurants and exclusive rewards on everything from coffee to showers. During your birthday month they also offer specials to help you celebrate. Also if drivers have not downloaded the My Pilot app they should do so as there is a lot of benefits for the driver.  Some perks: Fuel Lane Wait Status, Cardless Fueling, Mobile Wallet & Receipts, Shower Reservations, and coming later this year Parking Reservations.  

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speeding is defined as exceeding the posted speed limit, or driving too fast for conditions. This type of dangerous driving behavior is often overlooked. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) defines speeding as committing a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property. Drivers need to be watching their speed limit out there on the road. Especially when driving into a town when the speed drops. This seems to be the place all our drivers get tickets or DOT Inspections. Please watch your speed. Speeding not only affects a drivers record it also goes against the companies CSA scores.

The term aggressive driving covers a range of unsafe driving behavior. This includes: speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or running red lights.  Speed or aggressive driving is a factor in many crashes because of the physical forces at work. It takes longer to stop a speeding vehicle, and speed delays the ability to detect dangerous situations. Passenger restraint systems such as seat belts, air bags and child safety seats can be less effective at high rates of speed.

Preparing for an upcoming ice storm

Advice for winter weather and upcoming ice storm

Remember these tips if you run into problems during the ice storm in the Kansas City metro area from https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

-If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

-Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

-If stuck on the road, stay where you are to avoid exposure if rescue is likely, if a safe location is nearby or visible, if you do not have the right clothing or you do not have the ability to call for help.

-If you are stuck on the road, pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.

-Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

A year in Review

Seaboard Transport had a busy year. If you keep up on our Facebook or Blog pages located at www.seaboardtransport.net you would see that. But if not let us give you a little recap of what all happened this year!

January 2016

-Drive Cam was implemented. We have been able to use the videos on accidents to prove not at fault for accidents that might have ruled against us prior to the cameras.

-New website launched complete with new look as well as a well as a Blog to give drivers helpful tips while on the road.

February 2016

-Transflo was implemented. This was a great addition to Seaboard Transport making it easier for drivers to get their paper work to the accounting department in a timely fashion.

March 2016

-Seaboard Logistics-Brokerage Division for Seaboard Transport.

-We shot a new professional recruiting video. Check it on our homepage at www.seaboardtransport.net!

April 2016

-Mid America Truck Show-Our recruiting team represented Seaboard Transport well at the largest truck show in the US.

May 2016

-John E. celebrated 15 years of being with Seaboard Transport!

September 2016

-Celebrated Driver Appreciation Week with a BBQ for all drivers.

November 2016

-Seaboard Transport gave all our drivers a Butterball Gift certificate as an appreciation for all they do for Seaboard.

Christmas on the Road

The holiday season can be a great time of year to loosen the belt and indulge in very unhealthy food! Everyone has different comfort foods that are a tradition during the holiday season. But where can truckers go who are out over the road on Christmas. But what places are open and serving a “Christmas Dinner”? If you are going to be working over the holiday check out these places.

All over the country churches, community centers, senior centers etc. are going to have holiday dinners. If you are unsure if there are any places in the area you could ask the customer you will be delivering at or picking up from if they have any suggestions of local places that are serving Christmas Dinner. Google is everyone’s best friend. Take to the internet and do some searching of events in the area you will be. Chamber of Commerce or Facebook pages of churches might also have information out there for you.

Christmas can be a hard time to be alone but don’t eat in your truck by yourself! Get out and go inside to a sit down restaurant. Order yourself a nice gourmet Christmas Dinner and enjoy your holiday. Small towns might be a different story you might not be able to find a chain restaurant to eat at but if you are in a big city with plenty of restaurants you can count on some of them to be open on Christmas. Many chains are catching on to the trend that not everyone is wanting to spend the time and the money to make big Christmas dinners anymore. Now I’m not saying this is the same for all American households just making a comment! But many people are enjoying going out and having a nice meal and then not having to worry about grocery shopping, prep, feeding people and then all the cleanup. Here are some restaurants that are usually open over Christmas: Denny’s (Try their Honey Jalapeño bacon as this is a Daily’s product), Waffle House, IHOP, Applebee’s, Iron Skillet, and Cracker Barrel. A great app to use to help find restaurants open on Christmas is Yelp. Type in the city you will be in and it will pull every restaurant up for you.

Most truck stops are open on Christmas but not all serve a Christmas dinner or even a buffet. Plan your trip and call ahead to see if they are serving food. Or you could use your new Pilot app that we gave information for during Driver Safety meetings. Some rest stops do offer free driver meals on Christmas Day. Having a nice Christmas dinner with other drivers who are also out away from family will give you social interaction and a sense of community with other drivers.

Creative Holiday Gift Ideas

For many of us out there when the holidays roll around we stress about what we are going to get loved ones. Some are more difficult to buy for than others. For truck drivers you are on the road so much that the thought of having to stop at a mall and actually shop can be a difficult task to do. Between load deadlines, weather, etc. it can be a challenge. Here are hopefully some good tips and ideas for you to pull off a great holiday this year!

Amazon-Many people like to use Amazon to make shopping much easier especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. My suggestion for those on the go or that aren’t home go ahead and mail the gift straight from Amazon to your loved one. You can set a date and just mark the purchase as a gift.

Department Stores-Just about every store out there is online and you can purchase gifts through there and have them direct ship as well.

Homemade Gifts-Pinterest has many ideas out there for those who aren’t good at coming up with their own ideas. You can pretty much find anything on Pinterest.

Walgreens, CVS, Target and Walmart-You of course can online shop from these stores but you could also create fun photo books. For Grandkids you could take pictures of your adventures and places you have been and compile it all in a photo book for them to keep as a keep sake.

Shutterfly and Snapfish-These are photo sites to print pictures but you can also purchase fun personalized gifts such as coffee mugs, tumblers, calendars, picture collages and so much more!

Gift cards or money-They are quick and easy and everyone loves getting gift cards or money!

These of course are only suggestions there of course are tons of other things you could do for your loved ones during the holidays.

Winter Emergency Kit

Winter is upon us and soon we will be dealing with the effects of good ol’ Mother Nature! Get prepared now so that if you are in an emergency situation you are prepared. Pinterest and Google have a lot of great ideas out there for making your own emergency kit yourself. You can also purchase them on Amazon. Everyone should carry a Winter Emergency Kit with them in their vehicle it could save your life.

Here are some ideas of what could go in your Emergency Kit:

·         Plastic Tub (to put everything in)

·         Shovel

·         Windshield scraper and small broom (you can purchase ice scrapers with snow brush on one end from any major retail        store)

·         Flashlight with extra batteries

·         Battery powered radio (Midland has a Weather Alert Radio under $30)

·         Bottled Water

·         Snack food especially energy bars (Choose foods that you can eat both hot and cold)

·         Matches and a small candle

·         Extra hat, socks, and gloves

·         Boots and extra warm clothes

·         First aid kit with a pocket knife

·         Blankets

·         Road Salt or Kittie litter for traction

·         Jumper cables, tow chain or rope

·         Emergency flares or reflectors

·         Cell phone charger you can use in your car

·         Hand warmers (Hot hands are very inexpensive under $10 for a pack of 10)

These of course are just suggestions you can put whatever you would like in your Emergency Kit! Just make sure you have it in there before bad weather hits! Be safe out there.

Tips for Winter Driving

This time of year can be a dangerous time for those on the road. Prepare yourself for the Inevitable. Even though right now it might be nice out good ol' mother nature will be gracing us with her nasty weather very soon. Get ready now!

·         Keep your gas tank at least half full

·         Clear snow and ice off your car or truck (windows, mirrors, lights, reflectors, hood, and               roof.

·         Keep your vehicle serviced, make sure all the fluids are topped off.

·         Make sure your tires are properly inflated.

·         Let people know if you plan to travel that way if something happens they can track you             down.

·         In case you are stuck tie a florescent flag from your Emergency Kit to your antenna or               hang it out your window.

·         Stay in your vehicle do not walk in a winter storm this can be very dangerous. Your vehicle         is a good shelter.

·         Avoid overexertion: Trying to shovel yourself out or push your car takes a lot of effort in a         storm. This can also cause you to sweat which makes your clothing wet and this causes             you to lose insulation making it more likely for you to get hypothermia.

·         Make sure you have your Emergency Winter Kit stalked and ready to go in your car. Keep           it in the back seat or passenger floor board, in case the trunk is frozen shut.

·         Monitor road and weather conditions by checking local news stations or weather sites.

·         Drive slow.

·         Plan your route and give yourself plenty of time.

·         Always wear your seat belt.

·         If you don’t feel comfortable driving, pull off the highway and park at the first safe place.

Trucker Treating

Safety tips for drivers on the road during Halloween. Halloween is considered to be one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. We can all help protect trick-or-treaters by following these simple safety tips on Halloween. A prime time for everyone to be extra alert are between the times of 4pm and 8pm.

Keep your headlights on at all times even in the daylight.

Drive slowly through residential areas. Try to go at least 5 mph under the speed limit.

Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.

Put your cell phone down! Eliminate distractions of your cell phone by putting it away while you’re driving.

Be aware of your surroundings and watch for children running into the street. Yield to pedestrians as many children and adults might not always use crosswalks. Watch out for pedestrians cutting in between parked vehicles.

Use your turn signals wisely and be sure if you plan to pull over for drop offs turn on your emergency flashers.

Always designate a sober driver and plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night if you plan on celebrating Halloween with alcohol.

If you see a drunk driver while driving contact the police immediately.

Have a Happy Halloween and be safe out there! 

Driver Appreciation Week 2016

Seaboard Transport celebrated Driver Appreciation Week and held Driver Safety meetings September 19-23 2016 in Guymon, OK. To show our appreciation for all the hard work our drivers do, we held a luncheon Thursday, with a great turn out! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and enjoy lunch and thanks for all you do!

PeopleNet

The old way of trucking is going out the window and what I mean by that is paper logs. Many companies are moving towards electronic logs for their drivers. This frees drivers from paper logs, automates their workflow and will help the company know where their trucks are. PeopleNet helps track the driver’s hours of service, breaks, sleeper berth time etc. This will help a driver stay compliant when out there on the road. PeopleNet was the first in the industry to go online with electronic logs. They were founded in 1994 providing greater levels of safety compliance, cost reduction and customer service. Seaboard Transport started using electronic logs in 2010.

Seaboard Transport drivers need to remember to use their hot keys. If you need a copy of the page that was given during orientation please contact Jessica in recruiting. We want to be sure and keep our safety scores high by following our hours of service. 

Pets on the Truck

A big question recruiters often times get when on a recruiting call with a potential driver is, “Do you allow pets on your trucks?” For Seaboard yes we do have a Pet Policy. This Pet Policy is $50/week until $500 is met this is a nonrefundable deposit. Drivers need to fill out a Pet Policy form and accounting will enroll them.  Having a pet on board gives the driver a companion while on the road. This can help with fighting the highway blues! Drivers must keep in mind that with pets there might be more frequent stops while on the road. Most out there though are well trained and can go hours on the road without even making a peep! Drivers should keep plenty of food and water in their truck for if they get stuck for an extended period of time somewhere. Also keeping a chew toy in the truck for your pets will keep them from hopefully chewing on the inside of the truck.

Pets should remain in trucks at all times during loading and unloading. Most companies will not allow pets on their property at any time. Some places may not allow pets on their property even when in their trucks. Watch for signs or notifications if pets are not permitted.

There are said to be benefits having a pet especially on the road. Not only do they keep you company while on those cross country ventures but they also help with physical, mental and emotional health. Pets can help fill your heart with love. This can help improve health such as decreasing chances of a heart attack or lowering blood pressure. Here are some fun ways to stay fit with your pet: Jogging or running, biking, hiking, or doga (doggie-yoga). Now get out there and take your dog for a walk around the truck!  

TWIC

When drivers come in for orientation we do ask that they have their TWIC card or get one as a lot of our loads run to the port of Oakland, CA. This port requires all drivers to have a TWIC card in order to get inside the port. If someone does not then they will need an escort into the port or will need to have someone switch out and take that load in for them. 

What exactly is a TWIC card?  TWIC stands for Transportation Worker Identification Credential. This is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels.  TSA handles the background check to decide if a person is eligible and give them their credentials.  The TWIC process has become stricter in the last two years. They no longer accept social security cards as a second form of identification. In order to get your TWIC you must bring your driver’s license and a second form of ID. This second form could be a passport or a birth certificate with the state seal. Then you can fill out an application online HERE or you could call: 855-347-8371 weekdays 8am-10pm ET. Walk ins are welcome but appointments take priority.  Next you will need to pay a non-refundable fee for a new applications $128 for a 5 year cert. They do not accept cash you must pay with either a major credit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check. They do have a reduced rate for drivers who have a Hazmat endorsement on their CDL, this rate is $105.25. There also is a replacement fee if a card is lost or stolen and that is $60. An individual can have their card mailed to their home or they can pick it up in person at the location where they did their enrollment. 

Seaboard Foods supplies Operation BBQ Relief with pork for the Louisiana flood relief

Seaboard Foods donated about 50,000 pounds of pork to help support Operation BBQ Relief and to feed flood victims.

Volunteers for Operation BBQ Relief have been busy serving about 125,000 meals from one of the deployment sites, pictured above.

Seaboard Foods shipped more than 55,000 pounds of pork products from its Guymon, Okla., pork processing plant to support Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) that has deployed to Louisiana and is feeding flood victims and first responders in Hammond, Baton Rouge and Livingston, La.

Operation BBQ Relief was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for relief efforts in tornado-stricken Joplin, Mo., a community of about 50,000 residents. Volunteers of competition BBQ teams from eight states answered the need to help feed displaced families and emergency responders. Since then, OBR has served more than 700,000 meals following natural disasters throughout the United States. Seaboard Foods became an OBR sponsor in 2015.

"We're honored to support Operation BBQ Relief because they provide immediate support to those whose lives have been turned upside down from a natural disaster," says Terry Holton, Seaboard Foods CEO and president. "The OBR volunteers provide compassion and a hot BBQ meal when people need it the most, and we're glad to support their efforts."

So far OBR has served 70,000 hot meals to Louisiana flood victims and first responders and expects to feed 30,000 meals per day for the next week. The volunteer organization relies on monetary donations and bulk food donations to function. Those interested in donating can visit the OBR website at www.operationbbqrelief.org for more information.

About Operation BBQ Relief
In 2011, Operation BBQ Relief was founded in response to a need for relief efforts in tornado-stricken Joplin, Missouri. Volunteers of competition BBQ teams from eight states answered the need to help feed displaced families, police, fire, National Guard and emergency personnel.

Operation BBQ Relief has grown to become a Disaster Response Team made up of over 3,500 volunteers and competition BBQ teams. The organization provides hot BBQ meals along with compassion, hope and friendship to those whose lives have been affected by disasters across the United States. Expertise in cooking large scale meals and an organizational structure that allows teams to quickly mobilize means that deployment teams can move into any area where nature disrupts.

About Seaboard Foods
As a connected food system, Seaboard Foods cares for and raises pigs to produce safe, quality pork to feed people. With headquarters in the Kansas City Metro and operating in six states and employing more than 5,000 people, the company is a top U.S. pork producer and processor and a leading exporter of U.S. pork to more than 30 countries. Its products are sold under the PrairieFresh® Premium Pork, Daily's® Premium Meats, Seaboard Farms and 67th Street BBQ made with Sweet Baby Ray's® brands. In addition, Seaboard Foods' subsidiary, High Plains Bioenergy, has biodiesel, biogas and compressed natural gas operations. 

Keeping your mind sharp on the road

Over the road drivers have a lot of time on their hands while on the road. They spend a lot of time in the cab of their trucks they need to figure out what to do to stay sharp and alert. Below are some things you could do to stay sharp!

Audio Books: A great option is an audio book for those who don’t have time to sit down and read a book. There are many options out there for audio books. You could rent from a library, online apps, or purchase at a bookstore.

Podcasts/Talk Radio: You can find about any topic out there on a podcast, find something that peeks your interest. IPhone offers a free Podcast app.

Conversation: Engage with someone on the phone, using a hands free device of course! Most companies however do encourage drivers to save personal calls until once the truck is parked. But sometimes during a long drive it might help to make the time go faster to hear from a friendly, familiar voice!

Exercise your mind: Crossword puzzles or Sudoku can help with mental sharpness.

Long-haul driving can be a great opportunity to work on keeping your mind sharp, of course, always be sure you’re safe and putting your attention to driving first and foremost.

Clean Cab Tips

As a professional truck driver you want to project that image to everyone. You can start by keeping your truck clean and in order. This can be challenging due to limited space and not much cleaning time. Truck cabs can get messy pretty fast. Here are some helpful tips to help you get started and get your truck in tip-top shape!

Clear out trash—get it out of there! Trash can pile up pretty quick. Keep a trash bag in your truck designated for trash to help keep your truck clean and in order. Try not to let trash sit for more than a couple of days as this can make your truck have odors.

Vacuum—Walmart or Target sells very affordable car vacuums that plug into your cigarette lighter. This is definitely a good investment for OTR drivers. Shake out all your mats and put them back in the truck and be sure to thoroughly clean those as well.

Clean the dashboard—Avoid cleaners or polishes that have a glossy/shiny finish. The can cause a glare that can be hazardous when driving. If you are not sure if it will cause a glare, just use good ol’ hot water. Keep disinfectant wipes handy in your truck to clean up spills or dust easily.

Clean the windows—Use a window cleaner to clean the inside and outside of windows. Get smudges and stains better with newspaper. If your windows are tinted do not use newspaper, use a soft cloth.

Make cleaning a weekly event—Now that you know what to do try and keep up on it every week. Taking a couple of hours every week can help keep your truck nice and clean. Keep your home away from home a safe comfortable place to live!