United Parcel Service is a global packaging delivery service most recognized by their signature brown vans and uniforms.
Most UPS drivers report to work by 8:30 am, dressed in the required brown uniform. The uniform consist of pants, a button down shirt and brown derby jacket, all of which are provided by UPS. If the driver chooses to wear shorts, he is required to purchase UPS approved brown socks.

All drivers arrive at the warehouse, also known as “The Barn,” in their own personal vehicles. The warehouse is where the packaging trailers are sorted and processed for delivery in their area. Drivers check all the packages in their van, which have been preloaded the night before. In the “preload,” as it is called, the packages are mapped based on the route schedule, keeping in mind regular stops, priority deliveries, and bulk items.

Before drivers leave the “The Barn,” they attend a morning stretch. This was implemented to help prevent the drivers from injuring themselves when they carry heavy packages. After the 15 minute stretch, they attend a morning meeting to discuss general business, safety and any new rules and regulations. All UPS drivers must have a good driving record and attend monthly road safety meetings given by the Department of Transportation.

All of the UPS drivers are required to drive off the lot in a caravan. It usually happens about 5 to 10 minutes after their morning meeting. Once off the lot, drivers pull over and do a safety check to make sure there are no nails, holes, or problems with the vehicle.

On the Road Again

Most first stops are bulk stops, where they may have a large delivery. This is done first to allow more room to work in the back of the van. It is also coupled with priority stops. Most UPS drivers try to keep a routine because customers expect to see the UPS drop offs around the same time each day.

Depending on their route, UPS drivers either have a business, business residential or straight residential route. Most of the business deliveries happen first. The residential ones are done later. On a given day, a UPS drivers can make anywhere from 130 to 150 stops between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00.

A driver’s basic duties are to remove package from the truck, walk them to the door and get a signature, if required. If a signature is not required, drivers leave each package in a safe place. They often leave a note for the recipient that indicate where the package is. Each driver has a “dial-board,” that has the information for each delivery. That is the large electronic tablet that the recipient signs. It also tells the driver where he is going next.

Most UPS drivers work in the same area every day. There can be anywhere between five and six drivers in one zip code. After all the packages are delivered, the pick up route starts, ranging from 10 to 40 pickups a day, depending on the area.

They then take everything into the warehouse, making sure all priority deliveries are processed and sent before 6 pm.

U.S. trucking authority is the licensing and permitting that trucking companies need to operate on U.S. roads and highways. The Department of Transportation (DOT) also governs the operation of other types of commercial vehicles such as buses, passenger vans and limousines. Each vehicle must be properly registered with DOT in order to legally operate. DOT has specific steps you must take to ensure that you properly register any trucks you intend to operate on the roadways, according to the specific type of vehicle you are

Instructions

1

Complete the online questionnaire to determine if you need to apply for a USDOT Number, an Operating Authority (MC Number), Hazardous Materials Safety Permit, or a Cargo Tank (CT) Number. The questionnaire asks you questions about the types of commercial vehicles you will be operating, if you will be transporting people or products across state lines, if you’ll be transporting hazardous materials, and other questions related to your shipping and transportation intentions.
2

Obtain the forms you need based on the completed survey. When you finish answering the questions in the survey, a list of the documents you need to complete and submit to file for a U.S. Trucking Authority appears.
3

Download and complete each form. You can download the forms, one at a time. A popup screen will appear so you can complete the forms one at a time. Follow the prompts in each form to complete the information as completely and accurately as possible.
4

Submit payment online with each form. When you complete each form, hit the submit button. When you do this, the payment screen will prompt you to submit your credit card information to cover the fee for that particular form.

Transportation of dangerous goods training in Canada falls under Transport Canada, a department of the federal government, which regulates the transportation of dangerous goods by road, rail, water or air and sets out training criteria for companies transporting dangerous goods. Transport Canada does not accredit specific courses or training centers, but enables companies to use whatever methods are best suited to their operation and the needs of their employees.

Scope

Transport Canada’s definition of adequate training includes having sound knowledge of all topics related directly to the required tasks and specific kinds of dangerous goods a worker moves, offers to transport or handles during the course of their work. Topics that training may cover include dangerous goods safety marks requirements, safe handling and transportation practices for dangerous goods, and how to operate equipment used to handle or transport dangerous goods. Other important topics include reasonable emergency procedures to reduce or eliminate danger to public safety that results or could result from an accidental release of dangerous goods.

Trainees

Transport Canada requires workers who handle, offer for transport or transport dangerous goods to be trained and possess a training certificate in handling or transporting dangerous goods or only perform tasks involving dangerous goods while under the direct supervision of an employee who does possess a training certificate in transporting dangerous goods. Handling encompasses loading and unloading, packing or unpacking and storing materials and covers jobs such as cargo handler, lift truck operator, dock worker, shipper/receiver, freight handler and warehouse operator. Examples of workers whose jobs include offering for transport include dispatchers, office workers who prepare documents, shippers, freight forwarders and billers.

Training Delivery

Training in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods can be delivered through formal classroom training, on-the-job training or experience gained under the supervision of an adequately trained employee.

Training Certificates

Employers who are reasonably satisfied that their employees are sufficiently trained to perform duties related to that training are required to issue those employees training certificates that include the name and address of the employer’s place of business, the employee’s name, the expiry date of the training certificate and the aspects of handling or transporting dangerous goods that the employee is trained for, including specific topics.

Those who employ a person who is a member of a ship’s crew may have a reasonable expectation that the employee’s certificate of competency, issued under Marine Certification Regulations, is acceptable evidence of adequate training. In this case, the employer does not have to issue a training certificate. Training certificates are valid for three years, except in the case of transport by aircraft, when they expire after two years. Training certificates or copies of them must be provided to inspectors immediately upon request.