Crude Oil Companies Question - SNAFU????

Where are you working? The lower the rates the less worthwhile it is being in that line of work. Not all companies are the same but as cheap as the rates have gotten it doesn't surprise me that people are letting their equipment fall apart

 

it is the driver s responsibility that is engaged if you decide to drive a non compliant truck.
I would suggest trying to talk to your manager about those safety issues (he might not even know his fleet is run like that...) and if not and you are part of a larger company go to the safety dude, or Dot regulation .

Failing equipment due to poor maintenance is another problem though.
Some company actually care about being legal and having proper equipment, some don't - If you can't get anything done as improvement goes, I would suggest you to find another outfit asap, - ie before the 6 months you set yourself - whatever their speach of "we care about our people " is BS, they dont , as a general rule.
Take care of yourself and find yourself a better place !

 

To answer your question I have worked for the 3 major companies and now a minor oimo it has went down hill when it comes to getting supplies, truck repair, etc. They will talk safety all day then not keep the trucks and equipment up. They all seem to do the same, if you take the truck out of service you go home and don't work if they don't have a spare. If they do ....it's full of its on suprises which is even worse because you don't know what they are.
This is much worse with the oil prices way down. What i do is pick my battles. I'm not happy with this but i have to work.

 

And this is exactly what they are counting on , they ll always find someone to take an unsafe truck because he needs the money and/or can't afford not to work.

and then you are right about the 'choosing' your battles. However make sure you report all the out of order stuff on your dvir , they are required to keep them. - make a copy for you (pic with your phone) just to cover your ### though.

 

Lots of the smaller outfits up here in the Utica seem a bit slipshod, including several QC affiliates. The larger players (Marathon, Kenan Advantage in particular) have absolutely impeccable equipment, judging by what I see on the pads. Guess it all depends on who you're working for and how deep their pockets are.

 

I know that when I was hauling crude, we had problems with the trucks, mostly because they were old and the lease roads were beating them up. Never had problems with things like centrifuges or pumps though. At least not on a regular basis. I only did crude for a few months though, and I worked for an O/O who had old trucks and an attitude that suggested that any problem with the truck was the drivers fault.

Matter of fact, when anything went wrong, his first question was " How did you break it?" Kinda hard to work for people like that.

 

Smaller things like marker lights I might let slide, depending on how dot enforcement is the area. Tires and brakes and air pressures are a no go for me. I'll park it and miss some work if have to...even change jobs. It's not worth the liability or the danger to yourself.

A whole lot of the time the breakdown is either communication or a mechanic with a poor attitude or work ethic. I've seen both. We had some problems recently that all the drivers were up in arms over, threatening to quit, cussing the boss (not to his face but to each other). I had him on the phone day and mentioned the problem (no names, no drama, just mentioned the problem). His response? "Hell NO we don't do that! It's the first I've heard about!" Problem was fixed the next day.

Mechanics are just like the rest of us. They have good days and bad. They get tired of the same old rat race all the time too. I've had my share of problems getting along with mechanics too, simply because I'm picky about the truck and I don't take no for an answer very well. If you can ever develop a good relationship with those guys though, you'll be in the best maintained truck in the fleet. You would be surprised how far a cold soda will get you on a hot day...or a case of beer to take home with them...if they drink.

Why are you waiting on the 6 month mark? If you have a year or two hauling water and this company has trained you to work oil, you just might find that you're hirable now. Applications don't cost much.