Ahern Rentals based in Nevada

First let me say that I've been lurking here for a while and this site has saved me, and my license from bad companies several times. For that I'm eternally grateful for the contributors and Bret for creating The Trucker's Report! Anyway, this is my first post and I want to pay it forward by hopefully saving someone from being in my shoes AND get some much needed input/advice.

I used to pull a flatbed for Ahern Rentals (Nevada) locally and now they are currently screwing my record majorly. They are reporting a non-driving related accident to everyone requesting an employer verification. I was removing a scissor lift from a new office building construction site and I tore off a door closer trying to get it out. Anyone can operate a scissor lift. There is NO need for a driver's license yet they are reporting this with the only real accident I did have as if it was driving incident.

The actual driving accident I did have was a non-dot recordable fender bender I had when a car decided to share my lane with me while I was turning right. My trailer caught her fender. No tickets. No injuries. No tow. No fatality.

This place will RUIN you! They pay well, but when accidents happen that aren't related to driving, they'll report it anyway giving the impression it was driving related. They'll even try to get you do DOT drug tests (as opposed to a standard one) when you have one of these occurrences. I know for a fact that isn't legal. The only time a DOT drug test is to be done is if it was a DOT recordable incident and of course random and pre-employment.

How can they legally lump the non-driving scissor lift incident in with the CDL part of the check? This is REALLY causing an issue. I'm getting DQs and refusals everywhere and the only places that are willing to take me on are places with dangerous SAFER records. If I have to work for one of those companies my choices and career options are only going to get worse because I'll be getting equipment or Out of Service violations on my PSP.

Also, Ahern told my former employer that I hit a parked car. This is NOT true. The only driving related accident I had there was the one I mentioned above involving a four wheeler. Both times they demanded a DOT drug test. Again, not legal. I submitted to the first one since I was driving (although I didn't have to partake in a DOT test, only company test) but the second one I refused the DOT and agreed to the company test.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

It's NOT relevant to driving though. Anyone can use it without a license. If I fell on the job would that still be listed as an "accident"? Also, I'm aware of company policy for drug testing basically whenever they want but that doesn't include, nor warrant a DOT test. Also, it was a door CLOSER not an entire door. It was a $50 piece held on with four screws. What if I dropped a binder on someone's toe? That could be listed as an "accident" too. That's ridiculous and it's borderline defamous. These "accidents" should be clarified and differentiated between workplace versus driving related.

 

Jonkie, that's a good idea and a great way to verbalize it. I was having trouble even trying to define the actual difference between the two. You're right it's an INCIDENT not an ACCIDENT. Thanks for the input!

Also, according to my DAC/HireRight I have ZERO DOT ACCIDENTS at all.

 

Are even reading my posts? I'm not confusing anything.

 

That's true but I know the difference and DAC's differentiate between them as well by including both DOT recordable AND DOT non-recordable. Both of those show ZERO on my DAC/HireRight background exactly as they should.