CVOR & NSC Podcast

Navigating Ontario's Commercial Operators Vehicle Registration with AI

• Chris Harris, Your Safety Guy • Season 2 • Episode 6

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AI Insights: Navigating Ontario's Trucking Regulations and Safety Protocols

Join Chris Harris from Safety Dawg as he explores the intricate world of starting and managing a trucking company in Ontario, leveraging AI-generated content for comprehensive guidance. 

This episode covers essential aspects of commercial vehicle operations including business planning, legal structuring, and key regulations at multiple governmental levels. Learn about the CVOR, IRP, IFTA, and critical safety measures like driver fatigue management and HTA hours of service regulations. 

Discover the importance of logbooks, ELDs, and mandatory vehicle inspections. Delve into preventative maintenance, cargo securing as per National Safety Code Standard 10, and the significance of speed limiters. 

Build a robust safety culture through effective safety programs, self-audits, training, and incident reporting to enhance safety standards and business reputation.

00:00 Introduction and AI Podcast Creation

00:39 Diving into Commercial Vehicle Operations

01:19 Starting a Trucking Business: The Basics

02:20 Understanding Regulations and Compliance

03:08 Commercial Vehicle Definitions and Requirements

03:50 Essential Acronyms for Trucking in Ontario

06:47 Driver Safety and Hours of Service

11:07 Logbooks and Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

12:41 Truck Maintenance and Inspections

13:24 Tailored Inspections: Daily, Annual, and Semi-Annual

14:22 Critical Defects and the CVIP

15:35 Preventative Maintenance Plans

16:14 Speed Limiters and Enforcement

17:18 Securing Cargo: Rules and Techniques

19:42 Building a Culture of Safety

23:17 The Benefits of a Good Safety Program

24:18 Final Thoughts and Advice




Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Oh, wow. Wow. Mind blowing. I just created this next podcast episode. Using a hundred percent of AI. Um, Let me know what you think. Uh, I found this it's. To me. It's incredible. This is really me. Chris Harris safety Dawg. This is not AI, but the next two voices that you hear are a hundred percent. A I, and this was generated. From information that I gave artificial intelligence. Let me know what you think. Leave me a comment in the notes down below.

AI male host:

Alright, let's jump right into it today. Uh, we're diving into the world of commercial vehicle operation. Regulations in Ontario.

AI Female host:

Lots to unpack there.

AI male host:

Yeah, so, like, if you were thinking about, uh, starting a trucking company, right? Or maybe you're just curious about, like, the safety stuff. You know, with the big rigs. Or even if you just want to know what's up with all those different license plates you see. We've got you covered.

AI Female host:

We've got it all.

AI male host:

Yeah, today we're looking at the HTA hours of service regs and the MPO commercial vehicle operators safety manual trying to boil it all down.

AI Female host:

Should be interesting. It's um, it's a lot more complicated than most people think, you know.

AI male host:

Yeah, I bet. So let's say, okay, you're sitting down, you've got your coffee, whatever, and you're like dreaming of having your own trucking company. What's like the first thing you do?

AI Female host:

Well, even before you start thinking about trucks and all that, you need to get a business plan, right? And that's where a site like the Canadian Business Network, that's a great resource, it walks you through it all, like everything from what you're actually going to do, the services, all that, right through to, like, the money side, like the, uh, forecasting and all that.

AI male host:

Right. I guess that makes sense. You need a roadmap.

AI Female host:

Exactly. You don't just, you know, start driving. You got to know where you're going.

AI male host:

For sure.

AI Female host:

Okay. So once you have, uh, you've got your plan, then you have to figure out how you want to structure your business. You go in solo. So like a sole proprietorship, right? Or are you partnering with someone? So a partnership or maybe incorporating. Right.

AI male host:

Right.

AI Female host:

Each one has its own pluses and minuses, right? So it's super important to talk to a lawyer. Get their take. And an accountant, too, right? Make sure you're set up right.

AI male host:

Makes sense. So we've got the business plan, we know how it's structured legally, then what?

AI Female host:

Regulations. And here's the thing, you gotta be on top of regulations from, like, every level of government. I'm talking municipal, provincial, and federal.

AI male host:

Oh, wow. Okay, so, like, give me an example. What kind of things are we talking about for each one?

AI Female host:

Okay, so, say, municipally. That could be things like business licenses, right? Zoning bylaws, that kind of thing. And those are going to be different everywhere you go. Right. Right. Then provincially, you're looking at things like the Highway Traffic Act, right? That covers a ton of stuff. Driver's licenses, what your vehicle, you know, has to have, all that. And then federally, that's where you get into, you know, all the rules around, you know, if you're going between provinces or even, you know, out of the country.

AI male host:

Right. Makes sense. So we've got our roadmap. We've got the business structure, and we're aware of all the different levels of government and their rules. What exactly counts as a commercial vehicle? I mean, is it just about, like, the size of the vehicle?

AI Female host:

It's a good question, and that's where it gets, you know, complicated. According to the MTO, it's any truck, tractor, trailer, anything like that, over 4, 500 kilograms.

AI male host:

Oh, wow. Okay, so that's, what, almost 10, 000 pounds?

AI Female host:

Yeah, so we're not talking about, like, your friend's pickup.

AI male host:

Right, right, this is the real deal. This

AI Female host:

is for the big guys, tow trucks too no matter how big they are, and buses, but only the bigger ones. If it can fit ten people, including the driver, then it counts.

AI male host:

Gotcha. So, okay, I've got my truck, my plan, I've cited my research on all the rules, I'm good to hit the gas, right?

AI Female host:

Oh, there, not quite yet. Now we gotta dive into the acronyms. Every commercial operator in Ontario needs to know these. C V O R. I R P. I F T A. It's

AI male host:

like alphabet soup. What do they all mean?

AI Female host:

Alright, so C V O R first. That's the Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration. This is a big one. Basically, it's how they make sure you're running a tight ship, safety wise.

AI male host:

So if I have a trucking company, I need this C V O R thing.

AI Female host:

If you've got any of the vehicles we talked about. Those heavier trucks, tow trucks, bigger buses. Yep, you need a C V O R certificate. Can't operate without it.

AI male host:

And how do you get one of those? Like, what are they looking at?

AI Female host:

Well, the Ministry of Transportation digs into your company's safety record. Like, any collisions, convictions, even past vehicle inspections, they factor it all in. Huh.

AI male host:

Interesting.

AI Female host:

Yeah. They use all that to give your company what they call a safety rating.

AI male host:

A rating, eh? So it's kind of like a, uh, what do you call it? A report card for trekking companies?

AI Female host:

That's a good way to put it. And just like in school, you want those good grades.

AI male host:

And I'm guessing that rating, it's, um Pretty important.

AI Female host:

Absolutely. It can affect all sorts of things, your insurance rates, whether you can even operate. A bad rating, that can be a real problem.

AI male host:

Yeah, I can imagine. Okay, so that makes sense. It's good to know they're making sure companies are taking safety seriously.

AI Female host:

Exactly. Now, how about we move on to IRP? That stands for International Registration Plan. That one's all about making things easier if you're, you know, the kind of company that's going all over the place, like, between provinces and states.

AI male host:

Ah, okay. So, like, those trucks you see with a bunch of license plates.

AI Female host:

You got it. That's the IRP in action. Instead of getting a permit for every single place you're going, you just get this one registration, one plate. It's way simpler if you're doing those long hauls.

AI male host:

That's pretty handy, I gotta say. What about this IFT I keep hearing about?

AI Female host:

IFTA. That's the International Fuel Tax Agreement. So, that one's all about, you know, making the taxes simpler. If you're crossing all those borders, fuel taxes could be a nightmare.

AI male host:

Yeah, I can imagine. Trying to keep track of all that.

AI Female host:

Exactly. So with IFT, instead of filing a separate fuel tax report in every province or state, it's streamlined. You just do it all in one place.

AI male host:

Okay, that makes sense. I can see why that would be helpful.

AI Female host:

Keeps things simple.

AI male host:

Right, so we've got our CVOR for safety, IRP for crossing borders, and IFT for fuel taxes. This is starting to come together.

AI Female host:

All about the details.

AI male host:

For sure. But hold on, even if I got that IRP, that doesn't mean I can just forget about everything else, right? Like, I still need all my other licenses and stuff to actually operate.

AI Female host:

100%, yeah. That trips a lot of people up. The IRP just makes the registration part easier when you're traveling between places, but you still need all the other permits and licenses to operate legally.

AI male host:

Right, right, so it's like, um, what's a good example? It's like having a passport.

AI Female host:

Okay, yeah, I see what you mean.

AI male host:

It'll get you into another country, but you gotta follow the rules,

AI Female host:

right? Exactly. That's a great way to put it.

AI male host:

Perfect. Now, I want to talk about, well, you know, something super important, safety. And I'm not just talking about speed limits, although that's part of it, of course. Right. Safety is, um, well, it's everything, right? If you're driving these huge trucks. You got

AI Female host:

it. Safety's way more than just the speed limit. It's a lot of different things. But one of the big ones is, you know, making sure those drivers aren't exhausted.

AI male host:

Oh, right. Driver fatigue. That's huge.

AI Female host:

Yeah, we're talking about people's lives here, right? So that's where these um, HTA hours of service regulations come in.

AI male host:

Okay, so no more driving until they fall asleep at the wheel.

AI Female host:

Uh huh. Not if they're following the rules. There are some pretty strict limits on how long they can drive, you know, within a certain time.

AI male host:

What kind of limits are we talking about?

AI Female host:

Okay, so for one thing, a driver, they can't drive for more than 13 hours within a 24 hour period.

AI male host:

13 hours? That seems, I don't know, that seems like a long time.

AI Female host:

It is a while, but think about it. Even if you've had like A great sleep. That's a lot of time to be so focused. It takes a toll.

AI male host:

Right. And it only takes a second, right? A second of not paying attention and boom, you've got a problem.

AI Female host:

Exactly. And that's just the driving time. They can't even be on duty for more than 14 hours in a 24 hour period.

AI male host:

Wait, what counts as like on duty if they're not driving?

AI Female host:

It's more than just being behind the wheel, loading and unloading, inspections, even just waiting around. It all counts. That clock's ticking, even if they're not moving. Yeah, gotta manage that downtime too. It all adds up.

AI male host:

Right, so how do they make sure those drivers are actually getting some rest?

AI Female host:

Well, they have to take at least 8 hours off duty, and that's gotta be all at once. Every day. Oh, wow. Okay. 8 hours straight? That sounds pretty good to me.

AI male host:

Right. It's important, you know. But there is some flexibility there, too. Like, you can actually split that off duty time.

AI Female host:

Oh, really? How does that work?

AI male host:

So you can break it up, but each chunk has to be At least two hours. And the total has to be at least 10 hours off.

AI Female host:

Okay, so you could do like a quick nap and then a longer sleep, right? Could be helpful, depending on the route. But what about where they sleep? Do they just like curl up in the back of the truck or something? Uh huh.

AI male host:

No, no, there are rules about that too. If they're not at their home base, they have to use a sleeper berth.

AI Female host:

A sleeper berth. Okay, so what makes it safe? Legit. What are we talking about here?

AI male host:

It can't just be any old spot, you know? It has to be made for sleeping. Like, can't be in the trailer, gotta be in the cab, or in its own little compartment attached to the truck. And it has to have, you know, certain things to make it safe and comfy for the driver.

AI Female host:

Okay, so, like, what kind of things are we talking about? Well, it needs a mattress, for one thing, no sleeping on a hard floor, and then, you know, a way to heat and cool it, right, gotta make sure it doesn't leak, no exhaust fumes coming in from the engine or anything, and even, get this, it has to have something to stop the driver from, you know, You know, getting tossed out if they have to slam on the brakes or something. Wow.

AI male host:

Okay. There's a lot to it. I had no idea, but it's, it's good. They're taking it seriously.

AI Female host:

You're talking about people's wellbeing here. So we've covered the daily limits, but you're also going to have, you know, those longer stretches. How do they deal with fatigue over, like, a whole week or two on the road?

AI male host:

That's a good point. You don't want people getting burned out.

AI Female host:

Nope. That's where those work cycle regulations come in. Drivers can pick from two cycles. Each one has its own rules. Cycle 1, that one limits their on duty time to 70 hours over 7 straight days.

AI male host:

So that's like, what, an average of 10 hours a day? You got it. Which is still a lot. Right. That's a lot of driving.

AI Female host:

It is. So to stop anyone from, you know, pushing it too far, with that cycle, cycle one, they have to take at least 24 hours off duty after every 14 days straight that they're working.

AI male host:

Okay, so they get a good long break every two weeks. What about the other cycle?

AI Female host:

Cycle two. That one's a bit more flexible. They can be on duty for up to 120 hours over 14 days.

AI male host:

Right, so that'd be like eight and a half hours a day over those two weeks. Yep. And I'm guessing they still need that 24 hour break after, right?

AI Female host:

You know it. Gotta keep those drivers fresh.

AI male host:

Makes sense. So with all this talk of hours, I'm curious, how do they keep track of it all? Like, especially with those different cycles, that seems like a lot to juggle.

AI Female host:

You would think so, right? You'd need, like, a whole system.

AI male host:

Seriously.

AI Female host:

Well, they do. Logbooks. They're mandatory. Logbooks, right. Okay. Yeah, drivers gotta write down every single thing. When they're driving, when they're on duty but not driving, when they're off duty, even when they're in that sleeper berth we talked about.

AI male host:

Wow, that's pretty old school. I guess it makes sense though. Gotta have proof, right?

AI Female host:

Oh, absolutely. Those logbooks, they're how you prove you're following the rules. But, things are changing. Have you heard about those electronic logging devices? They call them ELDs.

AI male host:

Yeah, I've heard them. They're getting pretty popular, right?

AI Female host:

Yeah.

AI male host:

Not really sure how they work, though.

AI Female host:

It's like a digital logbook, basically. And they're becoming more and more common. And Ontario's, you know, rules about them now, too.

AI male host:

Really? So you can't just use any old device?

AI Female host:

Not just any, no. They have to meet all sorts of technical stuff to make sure they're accurate. And drivers, you know, they have to be trained on how to use them. The company's got to make sure the devices are certified, too. It's a whole thing.

AI male host:

Wow, so it's about making sure those records are, like, tamper proof. Makes sense, I guess. High stakes.

AI Female host:

Exactly. Gotta keep it legit. And just like the paper ones, drivers have to show their ELD records, if an inspector asks. They don't mess around with that.

AI male host:

No, they can't. Are there any times when the paper log books are still OK, though?

AI Female host:

Yeah, there are a few exceptions. Like, if you've got a rental truck, say, for less than a month, or if the truck was made, like, way back before 2000, you might be able to still use the paper logs. And there are some cases where a driver works for more than one company in a day, they might be exempt. But yeah, for the most part, ELDs are, like, becoming the standard. Wow.

AI male host:

It's amazing how much tech is changing things up. Oh,

AI Female host:

sure.

AI male host:

Speaking of important things, let's talk maintenance. Those trucks gotta be in good shape, right?

AI Female host:

Absolutely. Can't be messing around with a vehicle that size. Ontario's got strict rules about that, and it all starts with, you guessed it, inspections.

AI male host:

Okay, so, um, walk me through the different types. What are we talking about?

AI Female host:

So first up, you've got your daily inspection. Every single day, before a driver even thinks about hitting the road, they've got to do a full inspection of their vehicle.

AI male host:

Right. Gotta catch those issues before they become big problems out on the highway.

AI Female host:

Exactly. And the thing is, how detailed that inspection has to be, it actually depends on the type of vehicle. Trucks, buses, school buses, they've all got their own schedule laid out in the rules.

AI male host:

Interesting. It's all tailored then, right? Depending on what they're driving and the kind of risks involved.

AI Female host:

Exactly. But we're not done with inspections yet. On top of the daily ones, you've also got annual and semi annual inspections.

AI male host:

Oh, right. Those are the more, like, in depth ones, right?

AI Female host:

Exactly. Those are the big ones. Those have to be done by a licensed mechanic at a place that's specifically for inspections. And they go over everything. Brakes. Steering. Lights. Tires. The whole nine yards. They want to be sure those vehicles are good to go.

AI male host:

And that's what those stickers on the trucks are for, right? Yeah. Proof it passed.

AI Female host:

Ding, ding, ding. That's exactly it. Those stickers mean the vehicle passed inspection. And they gotta be visible too, so everyone knows that truck's in good shape.

AI male host:

Right. It's like a signal to everyone else on the road. Hey, this truck's good to go.

AI Female host:

Exactly.

AI male host:

What happens if a truck fails though?

AI Female host:

If it doesn't pass, that's it. It's grounded. Can't be on the road until they fix it, and it passes another inspection.

AI male host:

Okay, so, no messing around there. It's serious business.

AI Female host:

It is. And then you've got your critical defects. Those are a whole other ballgame.

AI male host:

Critical defects? Okay, so those are like, the really bad ones.

AI Female host:

Yeah, those are the ones you don't want to mess with. That's where this thing called the CVIP comes in. The Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program. Those are done by like, special officers. They can actually take a vehicle off the road right then and there if they find a critical defect.

AI male host:

Wow. Okay, so what kinds of things are we talking about with those critical defects?

AI Female host:

We're talking serious safety hazards. Think like major brake problems, steering issues. Anything that could, you know, cause a really bad accident. Not just like a headlight out, but stuff that's a real risk to everyone.

AI male host:

So like, if they find one of those, that truck is done. At least until they fix it.

AI Female host:

Pretty much, yeah. And they're not messing around. If they find a vehicle with critical defects, they can actually impound it.

AI male host:

Impounded. Yikes. So that's the last thing any operator wants.

AI Female host:

You got it. That's a nightmare. It costs a lot of money and it throws everything off schedule. But it's there for a reason, right?

AI male host:

Yeah.

AI Female host:

Gotta keep those unsafe vehicles off the road.

AI male host:

100%. So we've got the daily inspections, the bigger ones every six months or year, and then those CVIP ones for those critical things. What about preventing stuff from going wrong in the first place?

AI Female host:

Good question. It's not all just reacting after the fact, you know. Ontario's big on preventative maintenance too. Operators, they need to have a written plan for that.

AI male host:

Oh, interesting. So it's not just hope the truck keeps running. It's here's what we're doing to keep it in shape.

AI Female host:

Exactly. Like they've got to have a schedule for all the regular stuff. Oil changes, rotating the tires, checking the brakes, all of it.

AI male host:

Yeah. So it's like taking your car in for a tune up just on a much bigger scale.

AI Female host:

That's a good way to put it. And it's not just about safety either, right? If you keep up with maintenance, your vehicle's going to last longer, and that saves you money in the long run.

AI male host:

Right. Right. It's a win win. So, speaking of things that can save you money and make things safer, let's talk speed. How does Ontario make sure these huge trucks aren't, you know, flying down the highway?

AI Female host:

Another great point. They've got rules about that too. Speed limiters. It's the law. Any truck that was built after December 31st, 1994, it has to have one of these electronic devices.

AI male host:

So no more, you know, 18 wheelers going way too fast.

AI Female host:

Not if they're following the rules. Those speed limiters, they cap the speed at 105 kilometers per hour.

AI male host:

Okay. So that keeps them from going too crazy. Keeps things safer for everyone else on the road too.

AI Female host:

Exactly. And it's not just about the tech, you know, they make sure people are actually using them too.

AI male host:

Oh, right, right. How do they do that?

AI Female host:

Those officers can pull you over and check if the speed limiter is working like it should. And trust me, you don't want to get caught messing with that thing. I

AI male host:

bet there are probably some hefty fines for that.

AI Female host:

You better believe it. Tampering with a speed limiter? That's serious business. You could get a huge fine or even lose your license. Not worth it.

AI male host:

Definitely not. So it's all connected then. The tech, the rules, making sure people are actually following them.

AI Female host:

Yep, gotta have all the pieces.

AI male host:

Now, I want to switch gears a little bit and talk about something that can be a real hazard. on the road unsecured cargo. Have you ever seen those pictures where like a truck's lost its load all over the highway?

AI Female host:

Oh yeah, definitely don't want to be stuck behind that.

AI male host:

No kidding. So what are the rules around that? How do they make sure that stuff stays put?

AI Female host:

Ontario takes that very seriously, let me tell you. They've got a whole set of rules based on the National Safety Code Standard 10. It's all about how to secure cargo properly. Everything from those big logs you were talking about to like heavy machinery, everything.

AI male host:

Well, okay, so it's more complicated than just throwing a tarp over it and hoping for the best.

AI Female host:

Way more. There's a real science to it. Different loads need different things to keep them secure.

AI male host:

Okay, so what are some of the, like, big picture things they're looking at? What makes cargo secure?

AI Female host:

Well, for one, the system you're using. The ropes, straps, whatever, it's got to be strong enough to handle all the movement, you know. Speeding up, breaking hard, going around corners, you don't want that stuff shifting around. Or worse, coming loose.

AI male host:

Right, and with those big trucks, even a little shift in weight could be bad news.

AI Female host:

And how strong those tie downs need to be? That depends on what you're hauling, right? How heavy it is, what it's made of, all that. For example, the rules actually say how many tie downs you have to use based on how long the cargo is. And then there's something called the aggregate working load limit. That's like the total strength of all the tie downs we're using together.

AI male host:

Wow, so it's almost like, uh, what do you call it? It's like they're doing physics problems to figure all this out.

AI Female host:

Ha ha, that's one way to put it. And tie downs aren't the only thing either. Sometimes they use blocks, braces, even these special mats. All depending on the cargo.

AI male host:

Wow. Okay, so it's a whole system. And I'm guessing different types of cargo have their own specific rules, too?

AI Female host:

Oh, yeah. Like, if you're carrying logs, those have to be secured with chains or binders that are rated for a certain weight. And they have to be arranged in a way that keeps them from rolling around.

AI male host:

I can see why that'd be important. It's not just about keeping it on the truck, it's about making sure it's balanced, right?

AI Female host:

100%. And if there's ever any doubt, you know, it's always better to be safe than sorry, you know, they've got all sorts of guides and stuff to help drivers make those judgment calls.

AI male host:

Right. Better to ask than to have a disaster. Exactly.

AI Female host:

Now we've talked a lot about the specific rules, but what about the bigger picture? What about building a culture of safety?

AI male host:

That's a great point. It's one thing to know the rules, but it's got to be more than that, right?

AI Female host:

You got it. And that's where safety programs and audits come in.

AI male host:

It's got to be about more than just checking boxes, right? Like really making safety part of how they do business.

AI Female host:

Yeah, exactly. It's about building it into everything they do. And a good safety program, it can do even more than just, you know, stop accidents. It can actually help them run their business better.

AI male host:

Oh,

AI Female host:

interesting.

AI male host:

How

AI Female host:

so?

AI male host:

Well, for one thing, it can make things more efficient, you know? And happier drivers, too. It can even make it easier to hire and keep good people.

AI Female host:

Right, because people want to work for a company that's looking out for them, right?

AI male host:

For sure. If I'm a driver, I'm going to feel a lot better knowing my company takes safety seriously.

AI Female host:

Absolutely. So, okay, let's get into it. What makes a good safety program? What are we talking about here?

AI male host:

It all starts with who they hire, right? Yeah. If you want a culture of safety, you need drivers who get it. Right. Who are already all about safety. You gotta look beyond just, you know, how long they've been driving or what their license says.

AI Female host:

So it's about attitude as much as experience and skills.

AI male host:

100%. You want someone with a good track record, someone who follows the rules, and someone who's always learning, you know? They're not afraid to ask questions or try new ways to do things. Oh,

AI Female host:

right. They actually care about doing things right. That's the ticket. So once you've got your team, then what? Orientation and training. Gotta get those new hires up to speed, right? Make sure they know company policies, the safety procedures, all those regulations we were talking about before. All that has to be crystal clear before they even Think about getting behind the wheel.

AI male host:

Right. They gotta be ready. And it sounds like it's not just a one time thing, right? Ongoing training is important, too.

AI Female host:

Oh, absolutely. You gotta keep sharpening those skills, you know? That training, it should cover pretty much everything we've talked about. Those pre trip inspections, how to secure cargo, managing their hours, how to know when they're tired, and those work cycle limits. All that stuff.

AI male host:

Gotta keep it top of mind. Now, even with all that, sometimes things happen. You So what role does incident reporting play in all this?

AI Female host:

So important. Because you gotta learn from everything, right? Even those close calls. Any incident, big or small, it should be written down, investigated. Gotta figure out what happened and why.

AI male host:

Not to place blame or anything, but So you can stop it from happening again.

AI Female host:

Right. Exactly. And by really looking at what happened, sometimes you realize, hey, maybe our safety program needs some work here. Maybe the training needs to be tweaked, or the procedures, or even the way they hire people.

AI male host:

Right. So it's all connected. Constantly evaluating and getting better all the time. So, how do audits fit into this?

AI Female host:

Good question. So any good safety program, it's going to have these self audits. They're like, you know, going to the doctor for a checkup, but for your safety program.

AI male host:

I like that.

AI Female host:

Yeah. It helps them take a step back and look at how they're doing, see if there are any blind spots. Are they really living up to their own standards? So it's about

AI male host:

holding themselves accountable, basically.

AI Female host:

Exactly. And those audits, they have to cover everything. Do the drivers have the right qualifications? Are those log books all filled out? Vehicle maintenance records? Cargo securement? Exactly.

AI male host:

That's pretty thorough. Are there, like, resources out there to help them do that? Seems like a lot to keep track of.

AI Female host:

Oh yeah, for sure. The MTL website's a good place to start. They've got tons of information, like guides and stuff, on how to do a good self audit. And some companies, they even bring in, like, an outside company to do the audit for them. That way it's totally unbiased, you know?

AI male host:

Right, that makes sense, so you don't have to do it alone. So Okay, with all this talk about safety programs, audits, all this extra stuff, it might seem like a lot of work for the company, right?

AI Female host:

Yeah.

AI male host:

What are the real benefits here?

AI Female host:

Oh, the benefits are huge. I mean, the big one is obvious, right? A good safety program, it's gonna make accidents way less likely, which means fewer injuries, potentially saving lives, less damage, all that.

AI male host:

Right. And that alone makes it worth it, right?

AI Female host:

100%. But there's more. A good safety record, it can actually be good for business, you know? You can make your company look better to potential customers and to drivers who might want to work for you. And it can even mean your insurance costs less.

AI male host:

Oh wow, hadn't even thought about that.

AI Female host:

Yeah, it's not just about avoiding fines and stuff. It can actually make your business stronger and more successful.

AI male host:

That's amazing. So it's really an investment, you know. Like, you're investing in the future of your company.

AI Female host:

Exactly. It's like, think of it as an insurance policy, right? It's better to have it and not need it.

AI male host:

That's a great way to put it. Wow, we've covered a ton today. It's been, um, really interesting to get into the nitty gritty of these commercial vehicle regulations. It's amazing all the stuff that goes into keeping our roads safe.

AI Female host:

Yeah. It's more than meets the eye, that's for sure.

AI male host:

So for our listeners, what would you say are the, like, top things they should remember from all this?

AI Female host:

Well, number one has to be safety first. Always. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you've been in the business for years. You gotta know the rules and follow them. Those rules, they're there to protect everyone, not just the drivers.

AI male host:

It's true. It's the difference between a safe trip and a potential disaster, right?

AI Female host:

Exactly. And the more you know, the better off you are. Those regulations might seem intimidating, I know, but Anyone can figure them out if they put in a little work and find the right help.

AI male host:

Right. And there's plenty of help available, right?

AI Female host:

Tons. The MTO website, like we said, that's a goldmine. And there are all sorts of groups and experts you can reach out to if you have a question or need some help.

AI male host:

So important. Any last words of wisdom?

AI Female host:

Just remember, this whole industry, it's always changing. New tech, new ways of doing things, new safety stuff all the time. Those regulations, they're always being updated. So stay informed, stay curious, and always look for ways to make things safer.

AI male host:

I love that. Great advice. Well, this has been fantastic. Thanks so much for coming on the show and sharing all this with us.

AI Female host:

Happy to do it.

AI male host:

And to everyone listening, thanks for joining us for another Deep Dive. Don't forget to check out the show notes for all those helpful links. Drive safe out there.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

The only horse crap. Feathers, whatever you want to say. That AI one, the voices are incredible. Too. I think the content was pretty damn accurate. I listened to it. And damn it was good. Really interesting. What did you think. That was simply AI reading some information that I gave to it. And it regurgitated it. And reproduced it. Wonderful. Um, anyways, let me know what you think. This is Chris Harris, the real Chris Harris, the real Safety Dawg. Operating the real CVOR.ca. All right. No artificial intelligence there, especially if you talked to me, you know, you might just say there's just no intelligence. Nevermind artificial. I have a great day. Talk to you next week.

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Chris Harris

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