PG&E and other California IOUs were unsuccessful in lobbying the state for a delay of implementation of newly amended CHP regulations under section 1200. The CHP is now enforcing the provisions of this amendment, as planned, on October 1, 2020. The following will impact our members as operators of vehicles between 10,000 – 26,000 pounds.
- All vehicles will be required to fall under the DVIR (Daily Vehicle Inspection Report) program just as vehicles requiring CDL (Commercial Drivers License). Electronic version of DVIR form is accessible to anyone with a company phone currently.
- All new employees after 10/1/2020 that are assigned to the operation of a vehicle between 10k – 26k will have to have a driver proficiency evaluation performed by a company designate. This could be a qualified supervisor, or qualified bargaining unit member. All existing members are “grandfathered” per CHP discussion with the company.
- There is no requirement for advanced licensing for operation of this class of vehicle. Thus there is no DOT pool requirement.
A good rule of thumb on vehicles that exceed 10k lbs unladen is F-250 < 10k lbs. F-450 and up > 10k lbs. The basic GSR and Meter Tech trucks are deemed to be below the threshold. The big groups that will be affected are Troubleman and Compliance Inspector vehicles. Although this is not an all-inclusive list, there are vehicles in the following departments that will fall under this new regulation – CRESS, Hydro, Substation, Telecom, GPOM, SIPT. There also individual units scattered throughout the system, and the company will send info to supervisors and employees to make them aware of the DVIR requirement.
–Anthony Brown, IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager