The Getchell Companies Insurance Services Inc.

A string of recent DOT safety regulations has brought about a new law that will be enforced in MA. This pertains only to those operating commercial vehicles. MA will be enforcing the law that bans hand-held cell phone use while operating a CMV. This law will be enforced by the State Policy Truck Team and any state or local police officer certified for commercial motor vehicle enforcement by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Massachusetts Regulation 540 CMR 14.00 establishes “rules and regulations governing the use and operation of certain motor vehicles, trailers and commercial motor vehicles, and motor carrier safety and the transportation of hazardous materials by motor carriers in both intrastate and interstate commerce upon the public ways of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

14.02: Scope and Applicability

(1) 540 CMR 14.00 applies to:

(a) motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles and persons who drive commercial motor vehicles as, for, or on behalf of motor carriers, upon the ways of the Commonwealth.

(b) all motor carriers and shippers transporting hazardous materials, under the Hazardous Materials Regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, Parts 171 through 179 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, by motor vehicles upon the ways of the Commonwealth.

(c) common and contract carriers by motor vehicle, and private carriers of property and passengers by motor vehicle.

(2) (a) As used in 540 CMR 14.00, “commercial motor vehicle” shall mean:

1. a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more used for the transportation of property, or

2. a motor vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, or

3. a motor vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding under the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. App.1801-1813).

Please Note:

• This rule does not prohibit a driver from using a mounted mobile phone which can be easily accessed from the driver’s seat and activated with a single button.
• Driving means operating a commercial vehicle while on a public road, and when stopped in traffic on such a road. Driving does not include instances when the driver is safely parked. Emergency use is permitted.
• The term mobile telephone does not include two-way or Citizens Band Radio services, however the term mobile telephone does include mobile services which are provided for profit, have inter-connected service and is available to a substantial portion of the public.

Contact us for any concerns related to your commercial auto policy at info@getchellcompanies.com

October 24th 2011 – Framingham Country Club

Ben Getchell and the world's best event organizer, Pam.

Many insurance carriers have hurricane binding restrictions on their policies. What this means is that once a hurricane watch/warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for a particular region, it typically is not permissible to bind coverage on any new property business, or to increase property values, or add any additional property coverages, while the warning/watch is in effect.

Please contact your insurance provider immediately if you are concerned about your limits. We can be reached by calling 978 897 7773 or mailto:info@getchellcompanies.com

• Create a disaster plan. Plan an evacuation route in advance and determine where you would go if you were told to evacuate.
• Prepare a survival kit. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable goods, a first-aid kit and medicine for everyone including your pet. Include extra clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights and a portable radio.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt and make your home as safe as possible. Secure all outdoor objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture. Close storm shutters and board up all windows.
• Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency with all family members.
• Locate important papers and documents and have them ready to take with you should you need to evacuate. Protect documents in plastic storage bags if you’re remaining in your home.
• Make sure you have insurance policies with claim contact information, an inventory of your home’s contents and cash.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long-distance than to make a local call.
• Finally, leave promptly when ordered to evacuate. Leaving too late or not leaving at all only endangers yourself and others.

Or send an email to mailto:info@getchellcompanies.com and we will do our best to advise you on specific questions.

With the warmer months upon us, take some time to consider employee safety for those out in the field.

What is Heat Stress?

It’s a signal that says the body is having difficulty maintaining its narrow temperature range. The heart pumps faster, blood is diverted from internal organs to the skin, breathing rate increases, and sweating increases, all in an attempt to transfer more heat to the outside air and cool the skin by the evaporation of sweat. If the body can’t keep up, then the person suffers effects ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke.

Dry clothes and skin doesn’t mean you’re not sweating!

In dry climates you might not feel wet or sticky, but you are still sweating. On a very warm day you can lose as much as two liters of fluid.

Beat the heat. Help prevent the ill effects of heat stress by:

• Drinking water frequently and moderately (about a glassful every 15-30 minutes). Due to the fact that most of us already consume excess salt in our diets, salt tablets are not recommended for general use.
• Resting frequently.
• Eating lightly.
• Doing more strenuous jobs during the cooler morning hours.
• Utilizing ventilation or fans in enclosed areas.
• Remembering that it takes about 1-2 weeks for the body to adjust to the heat; this adaptation is quickly lost – so your body will need time to adjust after a vacation, too.
• Avoiding alcohol consumption. Many cases have occurred the day after a “night on the town.”
• Wearing light-colored, cotton clothes and keeping your shirt on – desert nomads don’t wear all those clothes for nothing.

Courtesy of CNA Loss Control