Welcome to article eight of ten in this series on trucking company safety systems! Now that the role of safety systems has been explored and different parts of a carrier’s safety program have been examined in greater detail, I am going to shift to the role technology can play in compliance management and administration.

In general, the world is moving in the direction of electronic recordkeeping and record creation. Physical paperwork may be used as a backup, but since companies often generate so much documentation and electronic recordkeeping has become secure and reliable, it becomes hard to justify the expense needed to duplicate documents in paper format.

The trucking industry is incredibly disparate in the approach different companies take in their adoption of electronic records, though. Some companies operate completely electronically whenever possible and constantly develop new ways to leverage technology for their operations. Other companies’ use of technology may not extend much further than an email account and cell phone plan.

Don’t misinterpret the above paragraph as a judgement that less technologically sophisticated companies are always wrong, though. At the end of the day, compliance is mandatory but technology is only needed as much as it enhances the ability of the organisation to function as a business. A carrier may be able to manage its workload and make a profit while retaining decades-old physical paperwork and filing systems.

With more of the world becoming reliant on digital documentation, many carriers are embracing digital processes to remain competitive. Think about the daily paperwork requirements of a truck driver, for example. If one company can use electronic devices to reduce the amount of time a driver has to spend on paperwork, not only can the driver be more productive but they will likely enjoy their job more, too. In today’s tight labour market, such things need to be considered.

Now, let’s look at some ways in which electronics can help with safety compliance.