FMCSA HOS Exceptions & Operational Flexibility

Hosted by SMSC Safety Consultant Nate Gump, this session will explore the often-overlooked workplace injury risks drivers face and their significant impact on workers' compensation claims. While motor vehicle crashes often get the most attention, most driver injuries occur during non-driving tasks such as entering and exiting vehicles, loading and unloading freight, working in yards and docks, and managing environmental exposures. Attendees will discover practical, data-driven strategies to reduce injuries, improve compliance, and control workers' compensation costs.

Whether your fleet is proactively preparing for a compliance review or responding to an upcoming audit, understanding the FMCSA’s expectations is essential. This webinar takes you behind the scenes of the FMCSA Compliance Review process—breaking down what investigators look for, how ratings are determined, and the steps you can take now to protect your safety performance. Join SMSC Senior Safety Consultant Kara Vines as she walks through each stage of the review, from the initial notification to the final safety rating. You’ll learn the most common violations that trigger interventions, how to organize required documentation, and practical strategies for strengthening your Safety Management Controls. We’ll also highlight real‑world trends, carrier pitfalls, and best practices to help you stay audit‑ready year‑round. Whether you’re new to compliance or looking to refine your current safety program, this session provides the clarity, confidence, and tools you need to navigate the FMCSA Compliance Review with success.

Join us for an in-depth session on ERISA fiduciary duties for health and welfare plans, designed to help employers understand their obligations as plan sponsors. We’ll review key ERISA requirements, highlight common compliance pitfalls, and share practical best practices to minimize fiduciary risk.

Join us for a practical session on how Medicare interacts with employer-sponsored health plans—an increasingly important topic as more employees continue working past age 65. We’ll break down eligibility and enrollment timing for Medicare Parts A, B, and D, clarify how Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules impact group plan coordination, and highlight key considerations such as HSA eligibility, COBRA timing, and employer premium reimbursements. Understanding these rules is essential for employers evaluating benefit offerings and for employees choosing the coverage option that best fits their needs.

According to NATMI, recipients who enrolled in a NATMI training and certification lowered their organization's accident rate by 86%, achieved a lower occupational injury rate by 83%, and controlled costs associated with accident litigation by 100%. The cost of participating in NATMI is minimal compared to the company’s day-to-day operational savings. The Certified Director of Safety (CDS)/Certified Safety Supervisor (CSS) course is designed to help safety personnel attain a greater professional knowledge base that should, in turn, provide greater confidence to improve operations, prevent and control injury and damage, as well as the ability to provide strong representation such as during a court case.

Your CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score isn’t just a number—it’s a reflection of your fleet’s safety culture and a key factor in your company’s reputation, insurance rates, and ability to win contracts. In this session, SMSC Senior Safety Consultant Anne-Marie Naples demystifies the CSA scoring system, explaining how violations are weighted, how scores are calculated, and what they mean for your business. Attendees will learn how to monitor their scores, interpret BASIC categories, and implement targeted strategies to improve performance.