November 14, 2014
Updating Your Conditional Safety Rating
You can request a safety upgrade at any time if you’ve taken the appropriate action to fix what caused your rating of “Conditional” or “Unsatisfactory.” To request a safety rating upgrade, the DOT requires a specific format. Here’s what you should do to update a “Conditional” safety rating.
1. Submit a Safety Management Improvement Plan (SMIP)
If you were given a “Conditional” safety rating, you’ll need to create a plan to fix the safety violations. This must include a description of why the violations occurred, what actions will be taken to correct the issue, and how those actions will accomplish long-term compliance. Some of these changes might be the type of training that has been provided to employees, an increase in staff, or any management changes. Your report must also include an analysis of these changes and how the changes you’ve made will meet the “Satisfactory” compliance level.
2. Document Your Corrective Actions
Document what corrective actions you’ve taken, as well as provide proof that the reported action was done. Depending on the extent of the violation, you may have to go into more detail about actions you’ve taken to meet the “Satisfactory” rating.
3. Send all documented actions to the FMCSA for review.
Everything you document must be sent to the FMCSA in writing. The FMCSA will then decide if your company has made the proper safety changes to update your “Conditional” or “Unsatisfactory” rating to “Satisfactory.” It’s crucial that you did the first two steps right, or else your company could still be put out of service, depending on your safety rating.
The documentation process for the safety upgrade request can be long and complicated. Progressive Reporting will not only help you develop the plan, but can also help you implement it so that you can successfully update your “Conditional” rating to “Satisfactory.” Call us today at (866) 736-6507 so we can get you started on your Safety Management Improvement Plan.
