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Important Resources |
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GENERAL BOARD MEETING 07/26/08 |
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STO GENERAL BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING SET FOR JULY 26th IN RICHARDSON, TX
Please join us on Saturday, July 26th, at the Hyatt Regency in Richardson Dallas. We have a full agenda and a lot to cover.
Meeting location: Hyatt Regency North Dallas
701 E. Campbell Rd.
Richardson, Texas 75081
Hotel phone # 972-231-9600
Read More |
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Reflective Vests/Uniforms |
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Update on TDLR Requirements for Vest/Uniforms
Part of the new rules brought forward by TDLR is the requirement for a safe and traffic cautious High Visibility Safety Vest or Uniform Shirt. These new reflective vest or reflective uniform must meet the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 requirements for high visibility safety apparel. These are the same new types of vests and uniforms that the Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS, and other public safety crews are required to wear.
“Vests that meet this standard give users enhanced visibility in all lighting conditions, through the combined use of fluorescent and retro-reflective materials,” said ISEA Technical Director Janice Comer Bradley.
The new standard includes basic requirements such as vest dimensions, color, and performance of materials, and incorporates specifications for special features for users in fire, emergency medical and law enforcement services including the need for color identification of individual service entities.
Numerous private-sector studies and government reports, all of which support anecdotal experiences reported by industry members, have dramatically increased the acceptance of the direct relationship between visibility and worker safety. These vests and uniforms are made to protect yur companies greatest asset, your employee.
We will be working with TDLR to see if the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 may be an acceptable form of protective apparel to use. This standard is very close to the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 standard, but is much cheaper in comparison. The rates for the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 vests are ranging from around $25 to $85 a piece.
UPDATE JULY 17, 2008
TDLR will be changing the rules for the uniform and vest requirements to now include Class 3 reflective materials. This is good news for all and will allow much more choices in these items for your employees as well as not being as expensive. ...................................JH |
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Board of Directors Meeting 05/08 |
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Board of Directors Meet in Waco, TX
May 30, 2008.
The STO Board of Director's met in Waco, TX on Friday, May 30, 2008, to discuss a variety of issues facing the towing industry and the association. Certification testing solutions were discussed and how to accomodate the growing demand for more testing centers. Membership growth was discussed as to the rapid growth of STO. Discussions on membership size included how STO could grasp the greatest benedits for its members, while it is rapidly approaching a membership role of 400+ members. This has made STO one of the largest towing associations in the nation. The final regional structure of STO was created and, after a map is drawn and approved, all members will be informed of the results. This was done to allow a broader reach for the association to accomodate all of our members properly. Two new programs were created. A fallen tower's death benefit and a scholarship were created for the families of Professional Towers. Discussion was brought up about Continuing Education requirements starting in 2009. The association has many options to take on this and is contemplating the best course to take for the greater benefit of all members. Many new benefit programs were discussed and were passed on to different board members to research so that we may pass the greatest possible benefits of these programs on to the membership. Three new office staff were added to assist with the expanding needs of the members. More information will be coming in our newsletter coming very soon.
Press Release Coming Soon.... ............................................JH |
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STO UPDATE 07/08 |
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| Southwest Tow Operators Meeting Notice and TDLR Update |
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Dear Tow Operator:
Please join us on Saturday, July 26th, at the Hyatt Regency in Richardson for our Member/Board meeting. We have a full agenda and a lot to cover.
As towers in Texas we only have 5 weeks left to get certified for licensing.
Meeting location: Hyatt Regency North Dallas
701 E. Campbell Rd.
Richardson, Texas 75081
Hotel phone # 972-231-9600
Continental Breakfast: 8:30, meeting from 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Agenda
· TDLR Question & Answer
· New office
· Testing Update
· SW Tow Operator Regions
· Financials
· Training/Continuing Education Requirements
· TDLR Penalty Matrix
· Legislative
· Future plans
Southwest Tow Operators has tested more than any other program offered. We have 45 proctors all over the state doing an outstanding job working with the tow companies.
There have been some rumors that our test is not valid. The rumors are not true. We have tested over 1,500 drivers and the state is issuing licenses to them daily. You can verify licensees on the TDLR website.
See you all on the 26th!
Towers Helping Towers
Mention Southwest Tow Operators for a discount on the hotel room rate
For more information, call us at 972-247-9454
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TDLR Advisory Board Update
The TDLR Advisory Board met on July 8th and approved the following:
The Administrative Rules were changed to require "Class 3" reflective wear when working on a roadway, or roadway related area. Previously, the requirement was for ANSI/ISEA 207-2006, which was difficult to locate and caused some confusion. The objective is for the highest visible safety material be used to protect towers on the highways.
Continuing Education:
We approved the following continuing education requirements:
All towers must take a minimum of 4 hours per year of continuing education. The continuing education must include at least 1 hour of roadway safety and 3 hours in any of the following topics:
- Texas law and rules that regulate the conduct of towing operators;
- Roadway safety;
- Driver safety;
- Towing techniques;
- Equipment operation and safety; and
- Customer service and documentation
Incident Management Training:
We approved the following standards for the required IM training:
12 hours of classroom training and
6 hours of live demonstration and hands on training on the following topics:
- how light-duty trucks work;
- towing with a wheel lift;
- towing with a tow sling;
- using tow dollies;
- car carrier operation;
- vehicle recovery;
- light-duty tow trucks;
- field procedures;
- vehicle maintenance; and
- safety
This training will be required for all IM drivers ONE TIME prior to your first TDLR license renewal. The standards are taken from the International Institute of Towing & Recovery (IITR) "Towing and Recovery with Light Duty Equipment" Course developed by the University of Georgia. The course must be taken through a community college, college, or university.
If you have previously taken this course through a community college and recieved a certificate of completion, you do not have to repeat it.
We will be working to make sure that this continuing education is readily available to our members. More information will be provided as we receive it.
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| New Office Now Open! |
We now finally have our own office! We are no longer sharing space with a member towing company! The Southwest Tow Operators office opened on July 14th. Our new address is:
2695 Villa Creek Drive Suite 240
Dallas, TX 75234
Phone: 972-247-9454 (no change)
NEW FAX: 972-247-1605
If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello! We are located right off highway 635 at Josey Lane. |
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