chrisharrisblog.com

Friends, and readers

      On Thursday, April 17; I will be climbing the CN Tower stairs to raise money for WWF, World Wildlife Fund.

This is the last chance to sponsour my climb and help make a difference. WWF is a wonderful organization.  I would also like to thank my employer because they are generously matching all donations. So if you see it in your heart to offer $20 it becomes $40 to WWF. Pretty good eh!

If you can just click here!

Thanks

  What the heck is “Due Diligence”?When I decided that this was the topic for my next post, I did a web search “due diligence”. I read several definitions. I thought that Wikipedia defined it best.

“Due diligence is a term used for a number of concepts involving either the performance of an investigation of a business or person, or the performance of an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations. A common example of due diligence in various industries is, the process through which a potential acquirer evaluates a target company or its assets for acquisition.”

Read the rest »

 Sleep Apnea

On my recent trip to the east coast I was tested for sleep apnea. I don’t believe that I suffer from it, so why did I get tested? Well, it’s the next big thing! I mean that many government officials are talking about sleep apnea.

When I attend the APTA’s annual convention this past year, I heard Dr. Smith give a presentation regarding sleep apnea and truck drivers. Here is what he said in a nutshell. Sleep apnea is more prevalent in CDL drivers then in the general public. We all know that many drivers eat badly and don’t get regular rest periods while on the road. They often don’t get much exercise and this can contribute to weight issues. All of these factors can be contributing to sleep apnea. Read the rest »

So, I was away last week in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on business. I always really enjoy going to the coast. I love the scenery and the people. All of my clients are very accommodating. They make room in their schedules to fit me in. I know that generally Mondays and Fridays are the days that they would like to concentrate on work. But if I ask to see them on one of those days they will just say yes. Great seeing my clients.

I had a chance to get caught up with Dave Miller of Eassons Transport. Boy oh boy, Dave likes his mussels. We found a restaurant that had “all you can eat mussels”. Can you imagine a restaurant on the East Coast of Canada selling all you can eat mussels? Ahhh you did yourself proud Dave. It was great spending the evening with you.

I felt like Orville Wright coming home. I flew from Moncton to Montreal on a Beechcraft. What a great airplane. Not big, not very comfortable, but I hear that they are very reliable. Here is a picture.

I have to apologize to the other passengers. I decided to take a picture as you can see, and I forgot to turn off the camera flash. I took the shot while we were in flight and boy oh boy did the heads spin around and stare at me! Can’t say as I blame them, I’m sure if I didn’t know what the spark of sudden light was I would have looked too. It was a great flight and a good trip.

I can’t wait till I’m back again.                   

CONTACT: Fran Clader Media Relations Office

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Wireless Telephone Laws FAQs

Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1,

2008. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws. Read the rest »

 Hands Free Jurisdictions

Recently Nova Scotia banned the use of hand held cell phones. They have joined Quebec and Newfoundland in banning their use. California is enacting legislation that comes into effect this summer banning their use.

In all cases that I’m aware of, it is legal to use a cell phone “Hands Free”. In all cases you need to know the laws in the area that you are in. If there are more jurisdictions that have banned the use of cell phones please let me know.

All trucking companies need to have a “Communication Policy” that covers the use of cell phones. I have always suggested that in the policy you stipulate that at all times use of cell phones are to be hands free. Please refer to Communication Policy for other recommendations. In the USA, this web site for a list of restrictions may be useful.

 Ontario Speed limiter Quick Facts

I have already put a post up regarding the proposed Ontario Speed Limiter regulation, so this post is just some quick facts.

Regulation is in 1st reading status.

Likely implementation date is January 2009, possibly followed by 6 months of educational enforcement.

Fines for a violation are from $250 to $20 000.

If you are caught at a speed above 105 km then you will be considered guilty of breaching this regulation as well. In the regulation it is called “Evidentiary presumption” [subsection (9)].

Ministry of Transportation will likely have the machines at the scales, to read your engine and ensure that it is limited to a speed no greater then 105 km.

No tampering of the speed limiter is allowed and you are not permitted to buy or sell a device that would alter the speed limiter.

Click here for the complete regulation, Bill 41 2008.

When I hear these words the hair stands up on the back of my neck! If the words “Negligent Hiring” doesn’t get your heart pumping yet then read on and perhaps you’ll understand why I think it should.

Does $18,300,000 get you attention? That was a recent (12-10-2007) award in a fatal accident were the victim was partially been at fault. (Court documents show the victim was 10% at fault) The details are sad, a young man lost his life and a company paid out millions in “punitive damages”. Check your insurance policy wordings, because it may not cover punitive damages. Read the rest »

 In my full-time job it is sometime funny how things work. I visited with 2 clients today. The owners of the companies were both born in Europe and recently both had drivers who received tickets for not being able to speak English. The clients were both astounded that in the USA a truck driver was required to be able to communicate in English.

This of course gets me looking around their office for the FMCSR book. It didn’t surprise me that they didn’t have one. In each case I use their computer and navigate to the FMCSR online. (FMCSR English Requirements) If you follow the link and look at subsection (b)(2) you will find that the regulations clearly states (I’m saying it in simple terms, follow the link to read the actual regulation.) a driver must be able to read, write and speak English. Read the rest »

To all of my readers I want to announce that I’m climbing 1776 stairs of the CN Tower on April 17, 2008 and I’m looking for sponsors. Yes you can contribute to the World Wild Fundlife (WWF). I will be working at Truck World all day and then doing the tower climb in the early evening. If you can find it in your heart and wallet to contribute to this worthy cause, you can follow the link and make your pledge.

Thank You

Chris

sponsor Chris in his CN Tower climb for WWF