Blog posts of '2022' 'October'

While most of the risks of being a truck driver are faced while you are driving your CMV, you must be aware of potential dangers when the truck is being loaded or unloaded.  In some situations, you may be loading the cargo yourself, perhaps using a hand pallet jack, a powered pallet jack, or a forklift.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that anyone using a forklift or a powered pallet jack complete a training program, so do not use these unless you have been properly trained and certified.

Hand pallet jacks do not need special certification, but you still need to use them safely.  Make sure that the load on the pallet is properly balanced and that you have positioned the forks far enough under the pallet before raising the load.

If you are not loading or unloading the truck yourself, take the following precautions:

Stay clear of the forklift (or any other loading devices).

If you have to provide any guidance to those doing the work, stay within the visual range of the forklift driver to make sure he sees you at all times.

Be aware of forklift movements at all times.  Don’t assume he can see you!  There are always blind spots on a forklift.

If you have a flatbed trailer and cargo is being loaded onto your truck via a crane, stay well clear of the space and do not stand under the load.

CDL Direct is committed to providing the highest quality Entry Level Driver Training course available online.  We also provide ongoing safety tips for truck drivers through our blogs.  If you are considering getting your commercial driver’s license or would like to benefit from the safe driving tips that we provide then check us out at CDLDirect.com today!

Do immigration and employment assistance hold the key to solving the truck driver shortage and supply chain issues?

Cheer up! It’s only going to get worse.  At least that is what it feels like when reflecting on the long-term effects of a pandemic-induced supply chain crisis.  A crisis worsened by soaring inflation in part due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ripple effects felt in each corner of the world.  While we are not suggesting we have all the answers, let’s see if we can nudge things in the right direction.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, November of 2021 saw a peak of 46.2 million individuals residing in the US who were born outside of the United States.  This is a sizeable percentage of the US population and has an enormous impact on driving the economy forward.  In addition, each year more than 1 million more individuals immigrate to the US.  What if there was a concerted effort to assist such ones to get training to be commercial vehicle drivers?

I know what you’re thinking.  Maybe you have heard comments from those who feel that people entering the US are taking jobs away from Americans.  Interestingly though, a survey taken during the pandemic concluded that 77% of Americans believe immigrants both legal and undocumented fill jobs that American citizens do not want!

Truck drivers are in higher demand than ever, and even with average starting pay of $45,000 per year, and the ability to make over $100,000 per year with experience, the shortage of commercial vehicle drivers continues to worsen.  CDL Direct offers online CDL courses to assist individuals to take the first step toward pursuing a career in truck driving.  Our courses are available in English, Spanish, and Russian.  You can focus on CDL A, CDL B, Hazmat, or Passenger endorsements depending on what commercial vehicle you seek to drive. US immigrants could provide a helping hand to the supply chain shortages.

Where else may there be a potential helping hand?   Career Centers and Departments of Labor in each state assist those seeking employment.  Many states even have apprentice programs or tuition grants that allow individuals to get training in a new field of employment.  CDL Direct is working on partnerships with these centers that will make it easier to take our training courses and be able to get back to work.

The bottom line is that the supply chain issue will not fix itself.  But perhaps immigration and unemployment hold the key to moving in the right direction.  If you would like to discuss how you can partner with us to assist people to get training at CDL Direct, please contact our marketing manager, Mark Wetzler at mwetzler@usnhsa.com.