FMCSA and Safety Fitness Standard
The proposed rule would replace the current three-tier federal SafeStat rating system of “satisfactory, conditional or unsatisfactory” for carriers to a single determination of “unfit,” which would require the carrier to either improve or cease operations.
A carrier could be proposed unfit by failing two or more Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) through inspections or investigation results, or a combination of both, the agency said. Once in place, the rule will permit FMCSA to assess the safety fitness of approximately 75,000 companies a month using the agency’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program’s safety measurement system methodology. Currently FMCSA investigates approximately 15,000 motor carriers annually. The proposal will be available at www.regulations.gov at docket number FMCSA-2015-0001. The initial comment period has been extended until May 23, 2016.
Please take a moment to review the FMCSA links below. The informational webinar link provides a good overview of the Safety Fitness Determination NPRM.
Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Resources:
- SFD Compliance With the FAST Act FAQs
- PDF version of the NPRM
- Informational webinar about the NPRM[external link]
- FAQs
FMCSA calculator for motor carriers to determine how the proposed rule would impact them:
If you have any comments or questions please contact ReMA Transportation Safety Director Commodor Hall at (202) 662-8519.