August 11, 2004

Few truck drivers show up for training

The fact that only two coal truck drivers have completed a mandatory Public Service Commission training course is "shameful," the executive director of the Public Service Commission said.

The PSC has had to cancel several training sessions, Mike Browning told the Commercial Motor Vehicle Weight and Safety Enforcement Advisory Committee on Tuesday.

A 2003 law that allows coal haulers to apply for special permits to carry up to 120,000 pounds on specific roads in 15 coalfield counties also contains a requirement to improve driver safety. Drivers on those roads with less than two years of experience have to take 24 hours of safety training.

The PSC initially sent out letters to more than 300 drivers whose names were obtained from the Office of Miners Health Safety and Training records.

"These drivers need to be attending these programs," Browning said. "We continue to get shunned from the trucking industry."

Several letters have been sent to the drivers, the most recent on Aug. 2. The classes, taught in Oak Hill, Welch and Danville will be free until April 2005. After that, they will cost $150.

"I don't think you've been shunned. You're going to get a lot at the last minute," said Randy Hansford of RAG Coal, who is a committee member.

Browning said he suspects many drivers are simply biding their time. With each month that passes they get closer to having two years of experience, when they will not need the training. That's not what the law intended, Browning said.

There is no penalty for drivers who do not get the training. The PSC likely will ask the Legislature to impose penalties or require drivers to take the training before they ever get in a truck, Browning said.

Also Tuesday, the committee learned the PSC has received 80 complaints about coal truck safety on the 15-county road system between April 1 and July 31.