ETN SAFETY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Title: ETN Safety Council Meeting
Date: October 7, 2025
Location: Thompson Truck Group, Inc.
Time: 11:30AM - 1:00PM ET
Meeting Called to Order By: Denna Mintz

1. Call to Order

Denna Mintz welcomed all attendees and officially called the meeting to order.

2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

• Motion to Approve: Craig Kendall
• Seconded by: Mitch Fisher
• Outcome: Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as presented.

3. Announcements

Presented by: Denna Mintz

• Preston Cox was unable to attend due to the government shutdown.
• Craig Kendall filled in and conducted a Q&A session covering trucking operations, safety, and maintenance.

4. Discussion Topics

Opening Remarks:
Denna Mintz thanked everyone for attending and encouraged suggestions for future meeting topics.

• No new topic suggestions were submitted at this time.

Medical Certificate Update:
Denna Mintz provided an overview of recent updates to FMCSA medical certificate regulations and discussed common compliance challenges.

Key discussion points included:

• Several states remain noncompliant with new FMCSA medical card procedures.
• FMCSA no longer issues exemptions for diabetes or vision conditions. Reports indicate that certificates listing these exemptions are sometimes rejected by the system.
• Discussion of the English Language Proficiency Regulation, which is now resulting in violations for some drivers.
  • Officers are administering tests involving identification of 37 signs, with drivers required to identify 5.
  • Concerns were raised regarding how companies can assist drivers for whom English is a second language.
  • Trucking schools may face challenges adapting their training and testing processes under the new regulation.
  • Attendees discussed strategies for auditing new hires’ language proficiency before onboarding to reduce violations and prevent potential operational disruptions.

5. Guest Presentation

Topic: Trucking Safety, Operations, and Maintenance Q&A
Presented by: Craig Kendall

Highlights:

Trucking Industry Insights

• What attendees enjoy about trucking: The people, job opportunities, and importance of the industry.
• Areas for improvement: Driver entry/exit safety, driving behaviors, improved mentorship and training programs, and addressing bad driving habits.

Maintenance

• Importance of regular tire checks using hammers, tire pressure gauges, and tread depth readers.
• Encouragement for monthly site inspections for on-site maintenance facilities.
• Promoting professionalism, self-respect, and pride in the job through cleanliness and presentation.
• Emphasis on performing thorough pre- and post-trip inspections.
• Discussion of new driver maintenance regulations and their implementation timeline.
• Equal importance placed on training maintenance teams alongside drivers.
• Typical truck maintenance inspections should take approximately 20 minutes.
• Forklift and special equipment users should undergo appropriate training and certification.

Safety

• Safety involves both drivers and maintenance personnel.
• Suggested implementing pre-employment “fit-for-duty” questionnaires and physical capability tests for all employees.
• Addressed challenges such as personal conveyance (PC) use, extended trips, and accident impacts on CSA scores.
• Emphasized the importance of knowing employees personally and identifying the most effective ways to communicate safety information.

6. Closing Remarks

Presented by: Denna Mintz

• The December TTA Meeting will feature Brian Keller, an attorney from Nashville.
• Upcoming Events:
  • October 17: Brownsville Scales Roadside Inspection 
  • October 23: Giles Co. Roadside Inspection
  • November 6-7: Fall Conference featuring FMCSA and THP presentations on inspection topics.
  • November 18: Greeneville Scales Roadside Inspection

7. Adjournment

Denna Mintz thanked all attendees for their participation and adjourned the meeting.

Next Meeting: December 2, 2025

Meeting Minutes Prepared By:
Brian Fox - Morristown Drivers Service, Inc.