October 5, 2020
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association updates you on the state's final adopted changes on the "intrastate" Texas hours of service rules and again on the new federal "interstate" rules to show their harmonization.

2020 ERG's are in stock at Propane Service Corporation (TPGA Store). Read more about the regulation tied to this compliance book in our second story of the morning with a link to order.

Also, temps are about to even cooler soon, so the frenzy of calls for propane will ensue. On that note, TPGA wants to highlight PERC's new online on-demand short propane safety courses for CSR's and anyone answering the phone for your company and fielding questions from customers on propane.

Over the years, the LPG Charity Fund has helped those in need in the propane industry, and TPGA spotlights their upcoming golf tournament in our last story of the morning.
ALSO, STAY TUNED FOR A SPECIAL MEMBER ALERT ON ONLINE RRC LPG EXAMS THIS WEEK.
In this issue

  • In Brief
  • Intrastate (TX) New Hours of Services Rules
  • 2020 ERG's in Stock
  • CSR Safety Training
  • LPG Charity Fund Golf Tournament
  • Quick Links
Calendar
October 1, 2020

October 4-10, 2020

October 9 - 30, 2020

October 10, 2020

October 13, 2020
New Texas Intrastate
HOS Rules Effective

October 15, 2020

October 20, 2020

November 2-30, 2020
New Texas Intrastate Hours of Service Rules Effective Oct 13
As you have previously read in the Monday Morning Messenger, the Interstate Hours of Service federal regulatory changes went into effect on September 29, 2020. This August, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) also proposed Hours of Service (HOS) changes. The changes standardize the interstate and intrastate short-haul exemption

While Texas intrastate drivers have been able to take advantage of the 150 air-mile short haul provision for a of number years, only now are interstate drivers able to do the same after last month’s federal regulatory change.

Both HOS changes permit a 2-hour extension of the “duty day”, from 12 to 14 hours; however driving time within that 14-hour duty day will stay at 11 hours for interstate and 12 hours for intrastate (TX). 
 
 The intrastate (TX) hours of service changes will go into effect on October 13, 2020.
Our friends over the Texas Trucking Association have created a fact sheet on both the federal and Texas rule changes.
Download both fact sheets below:
2020 Emergency Response Guidebooks in Stock at TPGA Store
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) helps hazmat carriers including propane delivery companies satisfy U.S. DOT's requirement that hazardous materials shipments be accompanied by emergency response information per 49 CFR 172.602.

The color-coded Emergency Response Guidebook helps emergency responders find vital propane specific emergency mitigation information fast in case of a roadside incident.

U.S. DOT recently updated the guidebook releasing the 2020 version. The version before that was 2016.

MEMBERS, LOGIN before adding the item to your basket to ensure you get MEMBER DISCOUNT.
Propane CSR Safety Training
Available On-Demand Online
Did read our September article in Texas Propane magazine about the new CSR Safety Training available from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)?

While PERC has had sales training for CSR's for quite awhile now, now they have launched propane safety specific training for CSR's on their online learning center.

In the 15 minute Office Personnel Safety Basics Introduction course is a quick introduction to the concepts of safety that is suitable for any person who answers the phone.

In the hour long Handling Safety Related Phone Calls course, it goes over several different types of issues to help CSR's distinguish between correct and incorrect ways of resolving safety concerns.
  • Select Browse Training from the navigation menu online.
  • Under Safety & Technical Training in the 3rd column, select Office Personnel: Safety and Sales for Customer Service Reps.
LPG Charity Fund
Fall Golf Tournament is On
The 27th Annual LPG Charity Fund Fall Classic will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Tour 18 Golf Course, 3102 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX.

All proceeds will benefit the LPG Charity Fund. The LPG Charity Fund assists members of the LPG and LPG processing industry in a time of financial need or with catastrophic medical expenses.

Registration will begin at 11:00 am. The Shotgun Start will be at 1:00 pm. Box lunches will be provided on each cart. The tournament will be a "Scramble" with handicap adjustment.

To ensure safety and practice social distancing, the tournament will be limited to only 18 teams this year for maximum of 72 golfers. Registration is first come, first serve.
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