39 minute read
TRUCKING MENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS (PAGE
MENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS: RESOURCES FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY
By Dave Elniski
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“IT COSTS NOTHING TO BE KIND TO SOMEBODY.” THESE WORDS, SPOKEN BY TRUCKING MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND PODCAST HOST DAVID HENRY IN HIS VIDEO FOR THE BELL LET’S TALK PROGRAM SUMMARIZE A KEY THEME IN ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE.
The theme is kindness and compassion, and it is found at the core of any initiative aimed at improving mental health.
Workplaces around the world will continue to grapple with the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come. But the current pandemic did not create psychological danger in a world that was previously psychologically safe. Instead, industries that struggled to address pre-pandemic psychological hazards are now facing considerable additional challenges, and the trucking industry is no exception.
The demand for truck drivers is high, thanks to strong consumer spending on goods in North America. But as the industry works to meet this challenge, the demand on those drivers and other workers within the industry grows higher. In an industry characterized by isolation, long hours, and high stress, companies need to address mental health concerns and not expect workers to remain psychologically healthy without employer support.
WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO?
Trucking companies, and especially those with long-haul operations, face unique challenges in addressing hazards related to mental health. Furthermore, it is difficult to equitably address these concerns amongst all staff when some workers report to an office during predetermined hours and other workers spend days or weeks away from home, facing considerable uncertainty on a daily basis. According to the Government of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, “only 23% of Canadian workers would feel comfortable talking to their employer about a psychological health issue.” What employers
should take away from this statistic is that direct questioning of employees and management’s perception of worker psychological health and safety are unlikely to give an accurate picture of the company’s overall mental health status. And since trucking is an industry that experiences high turnover and difficulties in recruiting talent for key positions, a proactive mindset towards mental health in the workplace can help an organization remain competitive.
One of the first initiatives an employer should consider is the implementation of an Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP). EFAPs are benefits programs that are paid in full or in part by the employer and provide the employee and their family with access to resources for a variety of physical and mental health concerns.
The Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association (NSTSA) and the Trucking Human Resources Sector Council (THRSC) Atlantic have collaborated on a program to bring EFAP benefits to employers of all sizes - including owner-operators.
Offered through Homewood Health, this trucking-focused EFAP offers a wide variety of counselling and coaching services specifically aimed at preventing mental health disorders and reducing staff turnover.
Trucking HR Canada is another organization that can aid employers in the adoption of best practices related to improving workplace mental health. In addition to providing the trucking industry with labour market information and training services,
Trucking HR Canada recognizes the efforts of fleets that implement excellent human resource policies and practices through their Top Fleet Employers program. In their document Gearing Up for Workplace Mental Health, they present best practices related to improving and maintaining mental health that are in use by some of their Top Fleet Employers.
By reading up on what other organizations are doing to improve mental health in their workplaces, fleet managers will find that many companies are implementing initiatives. The adoption of an EFAP and openly addressing the psychological concerns in operations will put a carrier in a position to help and retain workers. Those fleets that do nothing may eventually find themselves unable to meet their labour demands.
WHAT CAN WORKERS DO?
In terms of implementing systems and policies, the employer must be the one to act when addressing mental health concerns. But workers themselves play an active role both in managing their own mental health on their own and within the workplace.
The first thing a worker can do in improving their workplace’s mental health is to return to the opening quote of this article: be kind to others. We are often indifferent to those around us when we are caught up in daily activities. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if our indifference leads us to miss many opportunities to be kind then we should reflect on our priorities.
While indifference to others may be at times excusable for a busy worker, being rude and mean are not. Mean-spirited workplace pranks, bullying, and inappropriate language are not acceptable in today’s workplaces, and while employers bear the burden of ultimate responsibility for the culture at work, workers who negatively influence culture can themselves become hazards to the psychological safety of their coworkers.
Another important way workers can help is to be receptive to their employer’s positive initiatives. When a workplace implements an Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP), some may take a cynical approach and look for problems in the program or doubt the employer’s intentions. An open mind to new programs and policies coupled with a willing attitude to participate is a way workers can directly benefit from the efforts of their employers.
Change to a new system or program is a stressor even if it is well-intentioned. This can be especially difficult to longstanding workers who may perceive the change as an implication that they and their work habits are somehow flawed.
Newer workers can help in these transitions by being patient with those who are struggling in good faith to embrace new dynamics. Longstanding workers can help - and even test - their employer by being open about their fears and uncertainties.
Finally, workers should not be afraid to leave workplaces that are unhealthy and dysfunctional. It is reasonable to expect work to be imperfect and employees need to see things in perspective. But, not all employers will commit to the wellbeing of their workers or to improving mental health.
Workers in the trucking industry are in demand and have value; it’s a free market, so there is nothing wrong with seeking employment at better places instead of trying to make an unworkable situation work. SUMMARY
Employees and employers together have the ability to shift the culture of their workplace in a positive direction. Mental health can be talked about and employer support can exist without disrupting operations.
As we make our way through this pandemic, trucking can participate in the growing dialogue around healthy minds at work - and it can be part of the movement that creates a better psychological future for industry workers at all levels.
REFERENCES
1 - “David K. Henry”, Our Initiatives, Bell Let’s Talk, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/our-initiatives/ team/david-k-henry
2 - “After freight demands propped up trucking in 2020, industry braces for postvaccine world”, Fleet Owner, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://www.fleetowner. com/news/economics/article/21152636/ after-freight-demands-propped-up-trucking-in-2020-industry-braces-for-postvaccine-world
3 - “The Weary Road Ahead: Contronting Driver Mental Health Threats”, Safety for the Long Haul, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://safetyforthelonghaul. com/2021/06/10/the-weary-road-aheadconfronting-driver-mental-health-threats/
4 - “Psychological Health in the Workplace”, Government of Canada referencing the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/healthsafety/reports/psychological-health.html
5 - “Trucking Sector Employee and Family Assistance Program”, joint publication from the Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic and the Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://9cdeb509-346947ef-9688-cb6c849e490e.filesusr.com/ ugd/e00d1e_f3940a211d8144f4be10b68e7ae10414.pdf
6 - “About”, Trucking HR Canada, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://truckinghr.com/about/
7 - “Gearing up for Workplace Mental Health”, Trucking HR Canada, accessed August 15th, 2021, https://truckinghr.com/ wp-content/uploads/2020/01/THRC_Report_MentalHealthGuide-WEB-FINAL.pdf
NAPA XPO SALE 2021
A SUCCESSFUL FIRST NATIONAL EDITION
MONTREAL, OCTOBER 19, 2021 – THE FIRST NATIONAL EDITION OF THE NAPA XPO SALE TOOK PLACE FROM AUGUST 30 TO OCTOBER 8, 2021, WITH CLOSE TO 8,000 PARTICIPANTS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL PRICES AND A WIDE RANGE OF PROMOTIONS BY VISITING THE VIRTUAL KIOSKS OF OVER 100 EXHIBITORS.
The theme of the XPO Sale this year, Reload, perfectly reflected its name, with the event generating more than 12,000 orders. Installers had the opportunity to stock up on products at the best prices for fall 2021 and winter 2022.
Visitors also had a chance to pick up great rewards by redeeming the XPO points they collected with their purchases. In total, 4,000 rewards were ordered from among those offered by the XPO’s 4 partners: MALGA, Global Tourisme, Centre Hi-Fi and Sépaq.
“We built on the success of the first virtual edition in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces last year to reach installers across the country this year, and they answered the call. Thanks to a team that is very involved with our customers, we were able to make this event a huge success,” noted John O’Dowd, Vice President Marketing, NAPA Canada.
Developed by Victoire Events and Web specifically for NAPA, the XPO Sale platform is a unique event space where suppliers can showcase their products and provide installers with value- added content. This year’s event featured podcasts, videos, articles and 2 virtual car races.
For more info: Eric Dufresne UAP Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications Phone: 514 251-6540, ext. 7205 Mobile: 514 805-1435 edufresne@uapinc. com.
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT
BITS AND PIECES OF NEWS YOU CAN USE COLLECTED FROM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC REGION
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Public Advisory: Construction Begins on Diversion on Trans-Canada Highway at Aspen Brook Bridge
Work is underway to construct a diversion around Aspen Brook Bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 20 kilometres west of Grand Falls-Windsor.
A contract valued at $684,000 was awarded to Edward Collins Contracting Ltd. and involves the construction of a two-lane road diversion to allow eastbound and westbound traffic to travel around the bridge.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates work on the diversion being completed this fall. The department will be issuing a tender to replace Aspen Brook Bridge this winter.
Additional details on this project and other highway construction projects are available on www.nl511.ca and the NL 511 smartphone app.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Carbon-pricing system for large emitters one step closer
The provincial government has posted the proposed Reporting and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard to support its output-based pricing system for large emitters, for public review and comment.
Since Jan. 1, 2019, large emitters of greenhouse gases in New Brunswick have been subject to the federal system while a provincial one was being developed.
The federal government approved in principle the province’s system in September 2020. Changes to the province’s Climate Change Act, which were necessary to make the transition from the federal system to the provincial one, were introduced in November 2020.
In June 2021, the provincial government published the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulation under the Climate Change Act to provide supporting information for the output-based pricing system.
The standard posted today is intended to further support the legislation and regulation.
The New Brunswick output-based pricing system will drive incremental greenhouse gas reductions in the province’s industrial and electricity generation sectors. Facilities that emit 50,000 tonnes or more of greenhouse gas emissions annually will be required to participate in the system. Facilities that emit between 10,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes may voluntarily opt-in.
The provincial government anticipates fewer than 20 facilities will participate in the system.
“We have proven that we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman. “Having our own system will reduce our carbon emissions while recognizing that our economy is heavily dependent upon trade.”
New Brunswick is a national leader in lowering emissions, having reduced emissions by 38 per cent since 2005. The province has a 2030 target of 10.7 megatonnes, which is equivalent to a reduction of 47 per cent below 2005 levels.
NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA CREATE PARTNERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE SERIOUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE
The following joint news release was issued October 4 by the provincial governments of New Brunswick and Nova
WE’RE BIG ON SECOND CHANCES.
Scotia: New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have reached an agreement in principle that would allow Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) to act as the police oversight body for both provinces.
SiRT is an independent agency that has a mandate to investigate serious matters such as death, serious injury, sexual assault or other public-interest concerns involving the police.
The collaboration ensures both provinces will benefit from SiRT expertise and independent oversight in the interest of public safety. Premier Blaine Higgs and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston agreed that citizens can be assured these investigations will be undertaken in an efficient, professional manner, as has been and continues to be the case in Nova Scotia.
“We know the importance of having an independent oversight body to investigate serious incidents involving police and we are pleased with this agreement in principle,” said Higgs. “This is an example of how the provinces in our region can work together to ensure we have ready access to the expertise that we need to serve our communities.”
Both provinces have committed to make the necessary changes in legislation and related policies. Additional resources will also be required to support the expanded service. The partnership is expected to start in 2022.
“Citizens need to have confidence that serious incidents involving police are thoroughly and independently investigated. Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team is highly regarded and we are proud of the work they do,” said Houston. “Collaboration between the provinces promotes and supports public safety in both provinces.”
NOVA SCOTIA
Province Supports Emergency Services Providers
Ground search and rescue, volunteer fire departments and other emergency services provider groups will get more than $1.14 million from the province to buy equipment that will help them save lives.
“Every Nova Scotian deserves to feel safe in their community and know that help is available, if needed,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We rely on these people, many of whom are volunteers, to keep us safe and help us in our worst moments. I know personally what it is like to need those services. I’d like to thank them for their dedication and commitment.”
The Emergency Services Provider Fund offers money to fire departments and ground search and rescue organizations, including hazardous materials teams, to upgrade equipment that is used directly in response to a fire or emergency.
“Cape Breton Search and Rescue is grateful to have been chosen to receive funding this year through this program. With this money the team is able to purchase essential equipment to keep our volunteers safe in the field and improve our communications to help reunite loved ones in our community during a time of need,” said Greg O’Flaherty, president, Cape Breton Search and Rescue
Quick Facts: 65 organizations are receiving funding under the program this fiscal year categories include personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, communications, rescue equipment, miscellaneous firefighting equipment, hazardous materials equipment and emergency power for buildings organizations can apply every three years the program provides up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
PEI Implementing Mandatory Covid Testing Upon Entry Sept 30
The Government of Prince Edward Island is implementing Covid testing at all points of entry into the province, effective September 30 – regardless of immunization status and time outside of province – as an additional measure to protect local residents from increasing cases of COVID-19. Information provided to CTA by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association indicates the following will apply to truck drivers entering the province:
Drivers who make regular trips to PEI (e.g. at least twice weekly) will only be required to be tested every 5 days;
Drivers who don’t make regular trips to PEI will be asked to be tested upon entry; All testing must be completed by PEI authorities;
Test results from other jurisdictions completed in advance of arrival will not be accepted;
Drivers who are not fully vaccinated are required to work-isolate when in PEI;
Drivers who are fully vaccinated are NOT required to isolate when in PEI, but they are still required to get tested based on above frequency of trips.
The province’s website also highlights that “due to increased testing at the points of entry, travel delays, especially in Borden-Carlton, are to be expected”.
KEEP YOUR TRUCKS MOVING
THE MINDFUL TRUCKER REMINDS US THAT THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF GOOD REASONS TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN TRUCKING.
By Dana Smith
BEING IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY FOR 32 YEARS NOW, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DRIVERS COME AND GO. WHY DO THEY STAY AND WHY DO THEY DEPART? THAT’S THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.
For some it’s not enough money, for others it’s poor working conditions, too many regulations, wanting more home time, and the list goes on.
For the most part the average age of a driver is increasing in Canada, and according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (2016) is about 48-50 years of age. There are a large number of drivers upwards of 50-60 years of age. Also the share of younger drivers seems to be decreasing, and the share of older drivers is increasing. Immigrants make up for about 20% of drivers and non-permanent residents make up about 0.5% in Canada. (Canadian
Trucking Alliance).
So as you can see the older drivers are soon retiring, and/or cutting back on hours to part-time work. Because of the Covid pandemic, some have left the industry altogether. The younger drivers do not see trucking as a very glamorous career choice.
Yes, most companies will offer you a brand new truck to drive, others will try and entice you with more money or better runs, but at the end of the day you still have to endure the sector the way it operates: as a supply and demand industry.
It seems the Covid pandemic has changed things a bit. During the pandemic truckers were seen as heroes, delivering and keeping the supply chain moving. This is causing a renewed interest in trucking for people who otherwise may not have thought about trucking as a career. As great as this is, it’s still not enough to fill all the vacancies in the industry. Because of this renewed interest, I’m seeing more young people coming into the industry through the training schools these days.
Therefore, the labour shortage is still brewing. Trucking is at the top of that list. Trucking labour shortages were present before the pandemic and are a cause for great concern in the midst, and after the
fact. The basic things you use every day may no longer be available, or are being delayed in getting to you. How will this affect your life? Stop and think about how this affects trucking companies, present truck drivers, and everything else that is reliant on the trucking industry.
Air, rail, and sea shipping. This is known as the supply chain, which includes all of the things you purchase online as well as in-store.
So how do we find the people we need to keep the trucks moving? By looking in new geographical areas, or for people looking to change careers, women, and/or young people who are interested in trucking. Going into high schools and educating younger people on why they may want to choose a career in trucking and so on.
If you’re going to attract someone to the trucking industry, you may want to look at what will attract them to it in the first place. Company culture has a lot to do with this. If you have a rotating door policy, drivers won’t want to work for you. If you’re someone who can build trust, value, and lead them to be a better version of themselves, who are happier and more productive, then they will be lined up at the door to work for you. Also keep in mind that drivers talk to each other and know which ones are the good companies to work for, and which ones aren’t.
Training is another factor in recruiting people and having the proper training in the trucking industry is a crucial component. The Mandatory Entry Level Training Program is a huge step in the right direction to make sure that qualified candidates are trained in a way that will keep them, and everyone else safe on the road. Learning what they need to know because there are no shortcuts in training, no matter what industry you are in. The Humboldt bus crash was a prime example of that.
One such business that is helping is The Mindful Trucker, who has partnered with Green Light Canada as an authorized agent to offer small-to-medium sized Canadian trucking companies a new way to find the drivers they need for tomorrow, today!
It can be a daunting expensive task looking for drivers to fill your trucks. On average, it can cost thousands of dollars to replace a driver or find a new one. The Mindful Trucker offers an experienced, professional driver finder service which includes the following: • Identifying your driver needs, • (how many you need & for what runs). • Advertising and marketing for the positions. • Searching world-wide. • Qualifying all leads coming in. • Assisting with the application process. • Assisting with the interview & hiring process if needed.
Added services may include, online training courses, pre-trip, coupling/uncoupling, and driving assessments at an approved Canadian training school as required. Also, further safety training to provide candidates with ongoing safe driving habits for their future in trucking.
If you’re a small or medium sized transportation, manufacturing/logistics, or warehousing business and are looking for help finding your drivers/workers of tomorrow, today, contact The Mindful Trucker at info@themindfultrucker.com to get started.
MOTOR MATTERS: ROUNDUP OF AUTO AND TRUCKING NEWS
NOVA SCOTIA SUPPORTS EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS
Ground search anrescue, volunteer fire departments and other emergency services provider groups will get more than $1.14 million from the province to buy equipment that will help them save lives.
“Every Nova Scotian deserves to feel safe in their community and know that help is available, if needed,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We rely on these people, many of whom are volunteers, to keep us safe and help us in our worst moments. I know personally what it is like to need those services. I’d like to thank them for their dedication and commitment.”
The Emergency Services Provider Fund offers money to fire departments and ground search and rescue organizations, including hazardous materials teams, to upgrade equipment that is used directly in response to a fire or emergency.
“Cape Breton Search and Rescue is grateful to have been chosen to receive funding this year through this program. With this money the team is able to purchase essential equipment to keep our volunteers safe in the field and improve our communications to help reunite loved ones in our community during a time of need,” said Greg O’Flaherty, president, Cape Breton Search and Rescue
QUICK FACTS: 65 organizations are receiving funding under the program this fiscal year, categories include personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, communications, rescue equipment, miscellaneous firefighting equipment, hazardous materials equipment and emergency power for buildings organizations can apply every three years the program provides up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000
Canadians are wondering if recent disruptions in the European supply chain can also occur here.
More than any other time in recent memory, Canadians have come to appreciate and understand that our nation’s economy moves by truck and truck drivers are critical to keeping our factories open and stores shelves full.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which represents over 5,000 Canadian motor fleets, wants to assure the Canadian public that our industry and professional workforce are cooperating with customers and all levels of government through the pandemic to ensure all Canadians continue to have access to all the products and essential goods our economy depends on.
This is not to dismiss the challenges the Canadian supply chain faces – because they are indeed very real. The Canadian supply chain has been fragile throughout the COVID-19 crisis and some uncertainty persists, but with businesses and govern-
ments working together we can overcome many of these challenges to safeguard against widespread disruptions while emerging from these extraordinary times with a stronger and safer truck transportation sector.
There is no escaping the fact the trucking industry is facing a significant labour shortage of commercial drivers. According to Trucking HR Canada, there were nearly 20,000 vacant truck driver positions this year. Even before COVID-19 emerged, the trucking industry already faced a sharp labour crunch. A pre-COVID report published by the Conference Board of Canada found that there could be 30,000 to 40,000 jobs vacancies for Canadian truck drivers by 2023.
The pandemic has only made this capacity crunch worse as more drivers – already one of the oldest workforces in Canada – increasingly choose to retire.
The labour shortage has also extended to other critical industry positions, like heavy truck mechanics, which is causing longer periods of downtime for equipment in need of repair. Additionally, the industry is currently facing a shortage of pre-owned equipment and significant delays in new equipment deliveries for trucks and trailers. Wait times for new equipment – currently between eight months and over a year – is more than three times longer than normal. Furthermore, the lack of equipment is creating issues for shippers in the supply chain who rely on trailers as mobile warehouses to store preloaded goods for pickup.
There are several actions the industry is taking to mitigate the combined disruptions and economic impact caused by labour shortages, including a national recruitment campaign to attract a new generation of workers; ongoing training; competitive compensation packages and flexible work schedules and giving drivers power over deselecting customers who treat drivers poorly and unnecessarily detain drivers and waste their limited time at loading docks.
Companies purchasing trucking services who do not want drivers to deselect them can be ‘shippers of choice’ and limit potential service disruptions by eliminating as much detention time as possible, loading unloading in a timely manner and treating drivers with respect.
Meanwhile, the government can act in
several ways:
Trucking receives a much smaller share of training funding than other related sectors. CTA is calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide known, trusted trucking companies greater access to training dollars to assist a new generation of Canadians in becoming safe and compliant commercial vehicle operators;
Trucking also has very limited access to foreign labour. With declining birth rates in Canada, trucking, like all sectors of the economy, will rely on new entrants for sustainable growth. CTA is calling on federal provincial governments to provide known/trusted trucking companies greater access to foreign labour so newcomers to Canada can learn to become professional truck drivers from safe and labourcompliant fleets;
The pandemic has brought to the surface a preexisting problem in trucking – the growth of unscrupulous trucking fleets who use the underground economy, cheat on tax and labour rules and sidestep safety regulations to lower operating costs and attract drivers away from safe and compliant fleets. CTA is asking the government to broaden national enforcement against the practice – known as Driver Inc.
Governments and the supply chain must continue to work together to keep Canada moving.
Source: CTA Spells Out How Supply Chain Can Limit Disruptions - Canadian Trucking Alliance (cantruck.ca)
As more electric vehicle charging stations are installed to meet the growing demand, the need to ensure stations are operating properly and safely takes on new urgency. One of the first of its kind in North America, the new Fluke FEV100 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Test Adapter tests the safety and performance of level 1 or level 2 electric vehicle AC charging stations (EVSEs) with type 1 connectors.
One of the challenges of testing EVSEs is that they traditionally have required an electric vehicle (EV) to be connected before they will fully operate — which means every technician must drive an EV to perform certain tests. The Fluke FEV100 simulates the presence of an EV, allowing technicians to test the charging station in combination with appropriate test instruments, such as digital multimeters and ScopeMeters®.
“Ensuring charging stations are operating properly and safely is one of the most important aspects of electric vehicle infrastructure,” said Allison Wyatt, Product Marketing Manager at Fluke. “The FEV100 eliminates many testing obstacles by emulating an electric vehicle, so technicians can isolate the charging station and ensure that any issues are originating from the station, not from the vehicle.”
The Fluke FEV100 features:
Protective Earth (PE) Pre-Test to test for dangerous voltage in the earth;
Control Pilot (CP) for vehicle simulation, eliminating the need for an electric vehicle to test the EVSE;
PE and CP error notification;
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) testing to ensure user safety;
Voltage, waveform, loop impedance, and resistance testing;
Connectivity with other Fluke test and measurement tools to perform additional tests, such as viewing the maximum available current and Control Pilot signal analysis.
Compliant with the SAE J1772 standards for North American charging stations, the FEV100 allows a technician to verify that after installation, a charger can communicate and deliver power to vehicles.
The FEV100 Kit includes the Fluke FEV100/BASIC Test Adapter, FEVCOM/TY1 Type 1 Connector and Cable, and a soft carrying case.
For more information on the Fluke FEV100 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Test Adapter, visit: https://www.fluke. com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/installation-testers/fev100.
Electric vehicles are transforming the transportation industry. From automakers accelerating their electrification plans and shifting to all electric line-ups, to the Canadian Government spending more than $1 billion to support zero-emission vehicle adoption, the electric vehicle movement has picked up momentum, and shows no signs of slowing down.
By 2035, all new cars and light-duty trucks sold in Canada are planned to be zero-emission vehicles. And on a local level, our communities are committing to reduce emissions and prioritize sustainable transportation. Halifax Transit is adding 210 electric buses as part of their goal to electrify over half their fleet by 2028.
As more communities, businesses, and Nova Scotians choose to go electric, we’re planning for the future. This means understanding how additional charging will impact our electrical system and peak demand—the time of day Nova Scotians are using the most energy. It’s why we’re exploring emerging technologies like bidirectional charging, as part of our Smart Grid Nova Scotia pilot. This new technology can help electric vehicle owners make an even bigger impact—for the environment, and for our electrical grid.
What is bidirectional charging and why do we need it?
Bidirectional charging allows electric vehicle drivers to not only charge their EV battery, but to also take the energy stored in their battery and push it back to a home, building or the power grid. It also enables smarter EV charging during offpeak hours, or when clean energy generation is high.
Vehicle batteries can be four to five times larger than current home batteries on the market. The bidirectional capability has the potential to support our plans for a greener and more efficient power
grid. How will this benefit Nova Scotians?
This technology has the potential to benefit more than just EV owners. The bidirectional charging capability can benefit the whole power system. It can even provide back-up power in the event of an outage.
And when it comes to clean energy, “renewable following,” allows us to control when to use energy from the grid to serve a building or charge a vehicle based on the amount of renewable energy in the system. This means that we can “follow” the greener generation by pulling from the grid when it’s abundant and shifting to the EV battery when there is less available. As of right now, only a few EV manufacturers have bidirectional charging capabilities, but other manufacturers are exploring the technology. In the future, we hope to provide both residential and commercial customers the opportunity to realize energy cost savings and lower their household emissions by participating in a bidirectional charging program.
WORKING TOGETHER
As we work to integrate more clean energy technologies and build the grid of the future, collaboration is critical. We installed the first bidirectional charger at the NSCC campus in Middleton last March, as part of our continued and innovative partnership with the college. It’s the first in Atlantic Canada and one of the first in Canada.
The first vehicle-to-building charge as part of our Smart Grid Nova Scotia pilot program took place in June. The first bidirectional charger used was made by Coritech, which is primarily for commercial use – and we’re planning to collaborate with other vendors to test their bidirectional chargers. By doing so, we’ll be able to install up to 20 bidirectional chargers across the province in 2022, most of which will be for residential use.
NSCC Applied Energy Research Scientist, Dr. Wayne Groszko, is excited to be helping test this technology. “When we first could see that the vehicle was providing power to the building, that was a great moment, and hopefully the start of something much bigger,” said Dr. Groszko. “There will be a lot of electric vehicles operating in Canada, and bidirectional charging gives us more options for how to use them.”
NSCC students will also benefit from this collaboration at the three campuses where the chargers are being installed. The Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology (ESET) program is based at the Middleton campus, where the students can see and learn about this technology firsthand. Some will also participate in analysis of the test data for their senior projects or by completing an internship on the Applied Energy Research team. “Hands-on experience in the growing field of smart electric vehicle charging will help prepare students for the future,” said Dr. Groszko.
In addition to bidirectional charging, we’re also testing solar, batteries and electric vehicle smart charging to better understand their benefits to customers and the grid. To learn more about how we’re testing smart grid technology as part of our clean energy transition, visit nspower. ca/smartgridns.
Source: Bidirectional charging: A first in Atlantic Canada | Nova Scotia Power (nspower.ca)
SPOT THE TRUCK
NEW APP LAUNCHED BY BIG RIG WRAPS PUTS A NEW SPIN ON OLD ADVERTISING FORMS
By Carter Hammett
HOT OFF THE PRESS, A NEW APP LAUNCHED BY TRANSPORT TRUCK ADVERTISING COMPANY BIG RIG WRAPS, ADDS DEPTH AND A TOUCH OF FUN TO TRADITIONAL MARKETING FORMATS, SOMETHING THAT’S SORELY NEEDED DURING THESE TROUBLED TIMES.
Indeed, Spot the Truck! (www.spotthetrucks.com) is a rewards program that offers users a diverse suite of prizes ranging from oil changes to Telus mobility bonuses. Users are invited to snap a picture or take a video every time they notice truck advertising and then submit it to social media where they earn points with the hashtag #bigrigwraps.
“While you’re sitting in rush hour traffic we thought, let’s turn this into something more fun,” says Big Rig Wraps CEO Angela Baltokis (above).
Simply enter the date and time and approximate location of your photo, tap in your email and it’s as simple as that. Participants are of course encouraged to drive safely. Users can receive extra points if the imagery is a Big Rig Wraps ad and can enter up to three times daily.
Rewards are actually obtained from Big Rig’s partner companies, which creates a win-win for both Big Rigs and the organization being highlighted.
“They get notifications when people see their trucks,” says Baltokis. “We’ll feature and highlight different rewards and the companies get sales and increased visibility.”
But users also have another option. If they like they can opt out of the prize and redirect their winnings to a non-profit organization.
“We’re going to have a section where you can dedicate points to charity,” says Baltkois. “We’ve worked with several charities over the years; everything from mental health to cats. Rather than taking a gift, you can donate points towards a specific cause.”
Baltkois says the app was actually in development prior to COVID’s entry into the daily consciousness but the pandemic scuttled initial plans, and it wasn’t until March of this year that the idea regained its footing.
Compatible with both Apple and Android, the app looks substantially different than when it was first conceived, Baltokis says. Before its release, it was far more complicated. “We’ve made it as simple as possible. We needed to make information more secure…we’re on top of that.” The app is the latest promotional initiative for the company Baltokis founded in 2013, after she identified a barely-touched marketing medium: transport trucks. She created a business model where all-sized businesses could buy large scale ads on trucks ranging from 20-to-53 feet. The company currently partners with over 50 fleet owners who make both their rigs and routes available to advertisers. Prior to her current position, Baltokis spent two decades as a brand strategist and owner of a successful internet marketing firm when online advertising was still in its infancy.
She still hones these skills through relationship building and a strong presence online and on all the major social media outlets.
For more information on Big Rig Wraps, visit their site at: https://bigrigwraps.ca/
NEWS OF THE WEIRD: WILDLIFE EDITION
BITS AND PIECES OF THE BIZARRE, THE HORRIFIC AND THE DOWNRIGHT PUZZLING SCOOPED UP FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WEB SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO. YER WELCOME.
They say cars and animals don’t mix. We beg to differ. Herewith, our round up of some of the strangest auto-fauna stories out there.
Wildlife officials in Colorado say an elusive elk that has been wandering the hills with a car tire around its neck for at least two years has finally been freed of the obstruction.
The 4½-year-old, 600-pound bull elk was spotted near Pine Junction, southwest of Denver, on Saturday evening and tranquilized, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Officers with the agency had to cut off the elk’s five-point antlers to remove the encumbrance because they couldn›t slice through the steel in the bead of the tire.
“We would have preferred to cut the tire and leave the antlers for his rutting activity, but the situation was dynamic and we had to just get the tire off in any way possible,” officer Scott Murdoch said.
Murdoch and fellow officer Dawson Swanson estimated the elk shed about 35 pounds (16 kilograms) with the removal of the tire, the antlers and debris inside the tire.
Wildlife officers first spotted the elk with the tire around its neck in July 2019 on a trail cam while conducting a population survey for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the Mount Evans Wilderness.
They say they have seen deer, elk, moose, bears and other wildlife become entangled in a number of items, including swing sets, hammocks, clotheslines, decorative or holiday lighting, furniture, tomato cages, chicken feeders, laundry baskets, soccer goals and volleyball nets.
Source: Elk freed after 2 years of roaming Colorado with car tire around neck (autoblog.com) OF WALNUTS IN A CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
Built from 2001 to 2013, the Chevrolet Avalanche was a segment-bending cross between a pickup and an SUV that could carry a wide variety of items thanks to its clever Midgate system. What no one at Chevrolet bothered to figure out is how many gallons of walnuts can be stored behind the truck’s body panels, but a North
Dakota man found the answer thanks to a red squirrel hoarding food for the winter.
Billy Fischer was stunned to find his second-generation Avalanche brimming with black walnuts. They were all over the engine bay, including behind the radiator and around the battery, and dozens were hidden in and under the body panels. He quickly realized that a red squirrel had spent several days carrying them from a tree in his yard to the truck-turned-buffet, where it hoped to live and feast during the winter months.
Squirrels aren’t very talkative, so we don’t know why it chose the Avalanche over any of the other cars in the tree’s vicinity. We’re guessing the cavernous engine bay was better suited to becom-
ing a pantry than, say, one sized for a Subaru flat-four. Regardless, Fischer ended up having to dismantle most of the truck›s front end (including the fenders, the grille, and the bumper) to take the walnuts out, but some were stashed in places only a squirrel could reach. «I still have some rolling around the frame, rail wells as well, that I can›t get at,» he told the Fargo-based Grand Forks Herald. At least it sounds like the squirrel was so busy hoarding food that he forgot to chew up the wiring.
Fischer pulled out about 42 gallons (or about 150 pounds) of walnuts, a number that›s even more impressive when you consider the squirrel likely brought them in one at a time. He›s giving the pawpicked bunch away on Facebook; black walnuts are edible raw or cooked.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen evidence that cars and rodents don’t mix. Every year when fall begins to settle in, squirrels and other rodents look for a warm, safe place to store food and spend the winter, and cars are ideal candidates because they›re full of nooks and crannies. If you park outside, especially if your car sits for several days at a time, take a peek under the hood to make sure it›s not being reclaimed by furry squatters. While taking apart a truck’s front end is annoying, dealing with a chewed-through wiring harness is even worse.
Source: Squirrel stashes 42 gallons of walnuts in a Chevrolet Avalanche (autoblog.com)
If you are a dog owner, you know that driving with your puppy can be a joy or a complete fiasco, sometimes on the same
trip. At least in Japan, there is now a way to make transporting your pooch easier, as the Flex dealer network offers a customized Toyota HiAce with the obvious name Dog Van.
An important part of the customization is the modular bed which has eight moving parts. It can adjust in height according to the size of your dog’s crate. If your puppy prefers to walk around the cabin, a mat can sit on the flat part to give your furry baby a place to lie down.
There is also a flat extension that fills the legroom in the second row. This creates more space for your dog to walk around. Owners can pair it with a room that extends all the way to the center console. This allows your puppy to stand between the front seats. There’s even padding and a hook for attaching a leash to keep your pooch in place.
Some smaller upgrades include a cargo mat that has a non-slip treatment, in addition to being antibacterial and fighting odors. A mosquito net allows dogs to get some fresh air without being able to stick their heads out. Homeowners can even add a fan for even more air circulation.
For added style, Flex offers a front spoiler, fender covers and an auxiliary corner mirror for the HiAce. At least your dog would be able to ride in more style.
The HiAce in the pictures has all the features of the Dog Van collection from Flex. However, the company actually offers the parts individually, so a person can configure their Toyota to meet their pup’s needs.
Unfortunately, the HiAce isn’t available in the US, so you can’t get this dogfocused pickup there. The aftermarket industry for puppy-focused upgrades is quite large, however, whatever vehicle you own, there’s likely a way to make it more comfortable for your dog.
Source: Toyota HiAce Dog Van Has Special Doggy Seat And Custom Bed (motor1.com)
STINKING BUGS CAUSE HEADACHES FOR THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Shortages of raw materials, computer chips, labor and almost everything else have caused significant disruption to the global supply chain since the heyday of the pandemic, but new problems have arisen.
Australia, And this time it’s one of the excesses. Of what do you ask? A stinking bug. An invasive and nasty stinking bug.
The presence of the brown marmorated stink bug delayed the import of cars into Australia by up to a month. ABC news ReportThe importer is working to fumigate the container in which the bug was found. Aggressive pests can be dormant for months in the gap between shipping containers and the goods they carry, making bug detection and elimination even more difficult.
Andrew Tang, biosecurity boss of the Australian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environment, told ABC: “The ability of bugs to feed on hitchhiking, flies and various plant hosts has led to rapid introduction into new areas. Can spread to. ” Radio Brisbane.
Exacerbating the problem is the fact that bugs are pervasive around the world. Due to the high probability of bugs, ships are forced to be inspected even from ports where the bugs do not originally exist. Bug habitats now include the United States and countries throughout Asia and Europe. Australia wants to prevent a fullscale aggression.
Source: Stink bugs add to global supply-chain headaches (autoblog.com)
