Experience the Efficiency of ELDs: Streamline Your Operations and Improve Compliance
Todd Caughey became the Renegade Wireline Services HSE/DOT Compliance Supervisor after 25 years as a state trooper. Renegade Wireline Services, or RWLS, revolves around industries in the gas and oil field. They are based in Texas, but offer their services to both Texas and other states. With RWLS, Todd Caughey heads up compliance and safety with the company.
In 2014, RWLS began utilizing electronic logging. Due to his previous experience with the electronic logs, Caughey has a unique perspective on the new December electronic logging device mandate and how enforcement will ensue when it begins. “I knew what ELDs would do for us,” says Todd Caughey, “and ownership wanted to go this direction before it became mandatory.”
The company uses ELogs that allows for usage of existing tablets and smartphones because “Most everyone today has a smartphone.” Due to the easy accessibility, Caughey feels as though there was no need for an additional investment.
The only issue with the smartphone-accessible ELogs is that some enforcement officials are under the false impression that ELogs on cell phones were not authorized. “I’m seeing law enforcement [is] not knowledgeable on ELDs,” Caughey says. However, he says that even when he receives an incorrect ELD violation, he still ends up winning all of his DataQ challenges.
Despite this, the ELDs still make it much easier for operators to automatically log whichever regulations they operate under and organize the logs under the related rules. Before ELDs, “form and error” violations were being made in logbooks and hurting the CSA scores for RWLS. Now, however, this error is no longer an issue. Not only do logs automatically come in through ELDs, but also can oversee driver qualification files, inspections, tax reporting, and more. Caughey says he can also “pull the driver and it’ll list all his violations. Also on this ELD you’re able to submit your DVIRs electronically into the office.”
Switching over to ELDs “takes some time,” he says. “It was several months of some hurdles, but our violations have decreased dramatically.” Companies who’ve not switched over to ELDs yet could gain a lot and it helps to have a company that can help you through the transition.
