Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its truck size and weight regulations by increasing the distance that width-exclusive devices could extend beyond the sides of commercial motor vehicles by 1 inch. The agency requests comments by May 11 particularly on issues raised by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in response to the original proposal. For a copy of the SNPRM and comments submitted on the initial proposal, visit http://dms.dot.gov/search and search Docket No. 16164.

Occupational Safety and Health alerted approximately 13,000 employers that their injury and illness rates are significantly higher than the national average and encouraged them to address safety and health hazards in the workplace. The 13,000 sites are listed on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/as/opa/foia/hot_10.html. This list does not include employers in 21 states and Puerto Rico that operate OSHA-approved state plans covering the private sector.

ATA Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council’s annual Claims, Loss Prevention & Security Conference & Exhibition will allow attendees to participate in a recreated claims theft “whodunnit.” Attendees will be presented with a recreated cargo theft crime scene and will be asked to investigate suspects and clues. The conference is scheduled for April 18-20, 2004 in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information, visit this site.

FMCSA has published updated information on commercial motor vehicle safety at this site. The data includes a snapshot of the commercial vehicle industry, related crash statistics, hours-of-service information and more.

American Trucking Associations is seeking support for federal legislation to prevent the issue of intermodal chassis roadability from being addressed only in what it calls a “watered-down version” in U.S. Department of Transportation policy. A House bill (H.R. 2863) would hold intermodal chassis owners accountable for inspecting and repairing them. ATA, the Teamsters and the International Longshoremen’s Association support H.R. 2863, also known as the Intermodal Equipment Safety and Responsibility Act.

Virginia International Terminals recently established a mandatory portwide chassis pool for its three Hampton Roads state-owned marine cargo terminals. A VIT subsidiary will manage the chassis pool and oversee repairs and maintenance. The program expansion will begin in April and be fully implemented by August.

Georgia Department of Transportation will automate permitting and routing for oversize and overweight vehicles. The state will use the Advanced Routing and Permitting System (ARPS) software from Bentley Systems to allow motor carriers to apply online for permits and routes and receive quick approvals by fax or e-mail.