According to Vigillo, the FMCSA has described the soon-to-be-released “improvements” to CSA’s methodology, including the creation of a new HAZMAT BASIC. In short, the intention is to:

• Move Non-HAZMAT Cargo Violations into the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC
• HAZMAT Violations remain behind in the new HAZMAT BASIC
• New HAZMAT BASIC to be released to public view

Vigillo noted that FMCSA has been very receptive to suggestions for change since CSA launched in 2010.  A blog by Steve Bryan posted on the company’s website includes the following information:

“First, one assumes that a major change to something like CSA would be driven by its underlying goal, which is to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. I began my analysis with the assumption that this new HAZMAT BASIC, along with the inclusion of Cargo violations into the Maintenance BASIC, would reveal some new information, perhaps bring laser focus to issues previously unknown in order to give carriers, law enforcement and the public the information they all need to continue the efforts to make our roads safer. The reformulation of the BASICs as currently described will, in the company’s opinion, have exactly the opposite effect.

“The most common Cargo BASIC violation today is 393.104(b) Damaged or Insecure tie-downs. In fact, seven of the top 10 Cargo violations are directly associated with insecure loads or vehicle equipment. Vigillo noted that a person could imagine real accidents, real injuries, and real bad things if cargo or equipment decides to leave the vehicle without permission. Today’s Cargo BASIC, while not visible to the public, does clearly communicate to carriers where they stand with their Cargo related violations. 

To read the entire blog entry, click here.