Mandatory safety Meetings - On Duty Required?

That’s a really good question. I have to say I have never logged in on duty for any safety meeting. However I was called in for a random one time and the owner of the company made me go back out to the truck and login on duty for that. So it makes sense that you would be required to be on duty for a meeting.

 

While not specifically said, it falls under both the general directive and part 8.....
And as you said, the guidance specifically states it is by inference of specifying only voluntary meetings can be off duty.

On-duty time means all time from the time a driver begins to work or is required to be in readiness to work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work. On-duty time shall include:
(8) Performing any other work in the capacity, employ, or service of, a motor carrier

 

Even though few enforce it, that is actually specifically stated as On Duty.
From 395.2
All time spent providing a breath sample or urine specimen, including travel time to and from the collection site, to comply with the random, reasonable suspicion, post-crash, or follow-up testing required by part 382 of this subchapter when directed by a motor carrier;

 

I think technically, according to the rules, you need to reset your break if you talk to a dispatcher on your 10.

It all depends on how anal your company is about enforcing it.

You will likely never face any consequences for logging it off duty unless you are involved in a fatal accident and the victims attorney does some investigating.

 

We have safety meetings each month.
Some are mandatory to update training or SOP.
All are paid on duty activities because it's during the shift but the mandatory one's pay a 4 hour minimum but only requires the actual time spent as on duty.

 

this has been shown to not be true. Taking phone calls does not require you to go on duty.

 

Sorry, not true.