Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement with Cambria County Trucking Company

Published on 1/12/2006

Filed under: Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement agreement with Munster Trucking Company of Loretto, Cambria County.  The company has been ordered to pay a civil penalty of $3,875 for various violations found during the PUC’s safety audit of the company.

The PUC instituted a complaint against Munster Trucking for 19 violations found during the safety audit, including failure to:

• Require maintenance of driver records (six violations);
• Maintain vehicle inspection, maintenance and repair records (four violations);
• Maintain drive receipts indicating receipt or required education materials;
• Maintain an accident register for one year after an accident;
• Maintain a completed driver qualification file for each employed driver;
• Retain information required for drivers who also drive for other carriers;
• Implement an alcohol and/or controlled substance testing program;
• Require five lease drivers to undergo pre-employment controlled substance testing before operating a commercial motor vehicle;
• Ensure a driver received post-accident alcohol/controlled substance testing;
• Maintain education records and material regarding company policy for alcohol and controlled substances;
• Provide alcohol and controlled substance education materials to a driver; and
• Provide alcohol and controlled substance education materials to a leased driver.

The PUC’s Bureau of Transportation and Safety filed a complaint against Munster Trucking on Oct. 29, 2004, with a penalty of $7,750.  The company was given 30 days to respond to the complaint or the fine would be imposed. Munster Trucking answered the complaint and immediately acted to correct the violations found in the safety audit.  Munster Trucking entered into a settlement with the Commission in 2005.  The settlement reduced the penalty to $3,875, due to the company’s good compliance history and their willingness to immediately come into full compliance with PUC regulations.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our homepage at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. A-00107270C0401 

Contact:

• Cyndi Page
  Sr. Communications Specialist
  717-214-5434
  cypage@pa.gov