November 30, 2020
In Brief
Good morning all. Hopefully, everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, TPGA highlights our annual scholarship auction and when it will kick off.

On a separate note, it's almost been a year since the launch of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, and the compliance date for annual inquiries is nearing. Please find out more in our second story of the morning.

Last week, we highlighted how DOT onsite auditors are focusing on V & K inspections. On a similar note, we see a trend of companies getting dinged for a somewhat related infraction. Check out our DOT Audit Spotlight to make sure you are keeping up with this federal requirement.

Additionally, check out our Quick Links section at the bottom of this newsletter; PSC has an item to help you comply with the above federal requirement. Another important link is to the Duty to Warn Program Registration site because the deadline is this Friday, December 4, 2020. In our links section, do not forget to enroll in our tire program to enjoy savings on name brand tires. And as always, find a link to the latest propane supply as well as residential and wholesale prices for the U.S., Gulf Coast, and Texas.
In this issue

  • In Brief
  • Holiday Auction
  • Clearinghouse Compliance
  • DOT Audit Spotlight
  • Quick Links
Calendar

November 30, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1-28, 2020

December 2, 2020

December 4, 2020
Holiday Auction Launches Tomorrow on Giving Tuesday
Watch your inboxes tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1, 2020 once the TPGA Holiday Auction eventually launches.

Once we are live you will receive a link to the auction with bidding instructions.

Find gifts for loved ones, colleagues and customers.

SHOP FOR A CAUSE.

Proceeds benefit the TPGA Scholarship Foundation.

BID IT UP. IT'S FOR EDUCATION.
Have you conducted your
required annual queries yet?
Employers of CDL drivers must conduct annual drug & alcohol queries by no later than January 5, 2021

The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and State law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.

Per § 382.701, employers of CDL drivers must conduct a query of the online FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse at least once per year for each CDL driver they employ.

The annual query requirement is tracked on a rolling 12-month basis. The one-year time frame resets with each query conducted on a driver. For example, if an employer conducted a query for Driver A on July 6, 2020, the employer is not required to query Driver A again until July 7, 2021, to meet the annual query requirement.

A limited query satisfies the annual query requirement. Employers must obtain a general consent from CDL drivers they employ before conducting limited queries in the Clearinghouse to view these drivers’ information (you can download a sample limited query consent form).

Visit the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol homepage at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/ for FAQ's and to conduct your annual queries.
Are You Keeping Up with Your Monthly Cargo Tank Hose Inspection Reports?
Reviewing a list of frequently cited violations from PHMSA DOT audits another common violation, we are seeing is failure to maintain a delivery hose assembly inspection report as well as completing all required information on the 30 day monthly hose inspection report per

At least once a month, you must:
·        Inspect the delivery hose assembly and piping system.
·        Test the emergency discharge control devices.
·        Test the internal, self-closing stop valve in the liquid discharge opening for leakage (meter creep test).

You must document monthly inspections and tests.

This documentation must include:
·        Inspection date
·        Name of the person performing the inspection.
·        Hose assembly identification number.
·        Company name.
·        Date the hose was assembled and tested.
·        Whether the delivery hose assembly and piping system passed or failed.

A copy of this record must be maintained until the next monthly inspection test is successfully completed.

Check out our Propane Service Corporation (PSC) Product Spotlight below for a Quick Link to our association store with a direct link to our Monthly Hose Inspection Form.
Quick Links
PROPANE COUNCIL OF TEXAS
DUTY TO WARN PROGRAM
DEADLINE is
Friday, December 4, 2020
PROPANE SERVICE CORP
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Monthly Delivery Hose &
Discharge Inspection Form
WINTER FUELS
SUPPLY & PRICE UPDATE
REGISTER FOR SAVINGS
ON TIRES