ATA: Hazmat Background Checks Hurting Trucking

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he five-month-old hazardous materials truck driver background check implemented by the Transportation Security Administration is hurting trucking by imposing higher operating costs and deterring drivers from obtaining hazmat endorsements, a trucking executive testified before Congress Tuesday.

Steve Russell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of truckload carrier Celadon Group, said that while the trucking industry supports the security objective of the USA Patriot Act, the current background check program has been “marred by a number of bad decisions.”

Russell spoke on behalf of American Trucking Associations before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Indianapolis-based Celadon, No. 55 in the Transport Topics 100, has more than 2,700 tractor trailers operating nationwide.

He said TSA has constructed a process that applies to materials that pose no security risks and costs the industry nearly double what background checks for aviation workers cost.

“The costs to drivers and carriers are unacceptably high and serve as a disincentive to obtaining a hazmat endorsement,” Russell continued. “It is easy to see why drivers are discouraged.”

He said the program is implemented in a non-uniform manner across the states, has an insufficient number of fingerprinting locations and limited hours of operation. The ultimate impact may be the industry’s inability to haul hazardous materials, he concluded.

The Patriot Act provision requiring commercial truck drivers with hazmat endorsements to their commercial driver licenses to undergo more stringent background checks went into effect after May 31.

The endorsement and the background check are required for drivers transporting not only explosives, but also non-threatening commodities like paint, nail polish, chewing gum extract and soft drink syrup, ATA said.