​At Oakley we are all about safety and making sure our drivers are happy. As a result, we are very excited about the new Hours of Service beginning September 29th. This is going to give our drivers more flexibility on the road and is going to expand the available options for drivers to split their off-duty 10-hour break. There will also be a 7-hour and 3-hour split option in addition to the 8- and 2-hour split option currently available. Director of Safety, Kelly McDowell said, “Safe and efficient productivity is the name of the game in trucking. With the updated HOS, comes an ability for motor carriers a greater degree of flexibility that will in turn, give driving professionals the opportunity to be safer at what they do in keeping America moving”. 

Make sure and check out CCJ’s article for more, official information!

While the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance may have postponed the International Roadcheck this year due to COVID-19, it is still very important to make sure you are staying safe on the roads and that your rig is always ready to pass inspection. An inspection may seem like a nuisance, but they are crucial for your overall well-being as a truck driver as well as those around you. With new technology, inspections can happen practically anywhere, so make sure you are always prepared with these tips:

Make sure documents are up-to-date
Keep your documents together in a way that is easy to inspect. A “typical” Level I inspection takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. You will be expected to have your driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate, driver’s record of duty status (log), documentation of annual inspection, hazardous materials paperwork and permit credentials. Some truckers like to keep everything in a binder or folder so the inspector can quickly go through everything at once. This will make you look organized and might help your inspection go by faster, which means you’ll be back on the road sooner.

Be professional and kind
Your attitude is important. You’re at the discretion of the inspector and they choose who they inspect. If you are being rude, you will probably increase your chances of being chosen for an inspection. Inspectors don’t have quotas for handing out citations but they need to inspect a certain number of vehicles a day. Smile and be polite. No one wants to be around a grump.

Keep a clean and organized truck
Cleanliness counts. We’re not saying your cab needs to be immaculate, but it should be clean. Make sure there is no loose debris on the floor. Also, keep the outside of your truck looking good, too. Inspectors look at things such as brakes, tires, windshield wipers and more.

Out-of-service violations
Out-of-service violations are serious and must be addressed immediately. Do not leave before an out-of-service situation has been resolved because you could face disqualification and large fines. Know and understand out-of-service criteria and be checking for those before you leave for your trip. This includes things such as brake system, coupling devices, frame, fuel system, tires and other items.

For more information, please visit the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's website

Since the very beginning, Oakley Transport has been pursuing the highest safety standard in the trucking industry one mile at a time. Hundreds of thousands of miles later, we’re adding the National Tank Truck Carriers’ highly-esteemed “2019 North American Safety Contest Grand Award Winner” to our list of accolades. This award recognizes tank truck operations in North America with the best safety program and safety record for the year.
​
We entered NTTC’s 2019 North American Safety Contest and won for the respective Accidents per Million Mile (APPM) frequency class 40-90 million - that’s a ton of miles staying safe!

What’s next? We’ll move on to the next round of the contest and one step closer to the North American Champion title.

“Our driving professionals are the ones that have won this award,” said Oakley Transport Director of Safety Kelly McDowell. “We are not only proud of what they do day in and day out, but also of the standard of safety they take with them on the road daily."

The winners of the North American Safety Contest's Sutherland and Harvison Divisions will be announced during NTTC’s 75th Anniversary Annual Conference on May 3-5, 2020 at the The Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. Division winners will claim the prestigious North American Safety Champion Trophy, sponsored by Heil Trailer International.

Stay safe out there, Oakley family!

Getting heart healthy can be an intimidating commitment, especially if you aren’t really sure where to start. While it does require discipline, taking care of your heart and your body can be simple if you are willing to make a few changes. Not only will it improve your quality of life, but it will also make your job easier and more sustainable. Stay tuned to learn what steps you can take to make better choices.

Be Smoke Free:
The Heart Foundation published an article about how to best nurture your heart, saying that one of the best ways to maintain it is to be smoke free. “Smoking affects the vessels that supply blood to your heart and other parts of your body. It reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and damages blood vessels walls.” It's easy to smoke to fill the time between customer loads. Try munching on carrots, chewing sugar free gum or sucking on some peppermints instead to keep your hands and mouth busy.

Manage Your Blood Cholesterol
While your body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much of it is harmful to your heart. Heavy amounts of cholesterol build up in your arteries, restricting blood flow. While high cholesterol can be caused by a variety of factors, food is a common contributor. Thankfully, you can take control over it today! According to the Mayo Clinic, foods packed with trans fat and saturated fat will spike cholesterol. Think fried foods, margarine, baked goods, processed snacks and meat (most things you find at a gas station).

One way you can keep these delicious foods in your life, minus the bad stuff, is to invest in an air fryer! When the need for yummy fried food hits, pop a chicken thigh in the air fryer with some seasoning and let the magic of the technology work! Less calories, less cholesterol and the same great, fried taste!

Eat A Variety Of Nutritious Food
Along with eating less trans and saturated fat, try to keep salt to a minimum (think pizza, burgers, boxed breakfast food, most things at fast food restaurants.) Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of healthy foods into one sitting. Get a Magic Bullet Blender for the truck, freeze your favorite fruits and pulse them into a treat that resembles more of a sorbet than a smoothie. Nutritious and delicious and super heart healthy. For other healthy options, check our other food blog below. 

Be Physically Active
“Regular activity makes you less likely to have a heart attack or develop heart disease. It also helps control other heart disease risk factors, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight,” the Heart Foundation article states. Getting in some exercise while you are on the road isn’t hard. Take a brisk walk in the morning before you head out on the road or get some resistance bands to keep up muscle strength without having to leave the comfort of your cab. Here are three easy band exercises.

If you want more ideas for various exercises you can do while you are on the road, check out one of our previous articles about trucker fitness