I was listening to XM radio a few minutes ago when a driver called in to the Trucking Bozo show and said that the DOT Physical requirements have changed to include sleep apnea testing requirements for all persons with a neck circumference larger than 17 inches.
There were a few other things as well, such as BMI (Body Mass Index), Height, Weight, Age, and I think something else.
Supposedly, if you meet the above criteria, you only get a 3 month certification, and must take a rather expensive series of sleep lab tests to determine if you are fit to drive. I think the prices mentioned were in the range of $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 for the testing, and it was rumored that most insurances will not cover the testing.
Some food for thought for all of you drivers to nibble on.
I have attempted to look it up, however, thus far, have not found any concrete evidence to back it up.
New DOT Physical Requirements?
Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by kc8vje, Mar 18, 2007.
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Review of the FMCSA site shows NO final rules, interim rules, proposed rules or notices concerning anything to do with sleep apnea examinations.
Since it can take months if not years to go from a proposed ruling to a final ruling and there is NO Proposed ruling concerning this matter, what every was said is just plain horse hockey. -
Sorry fellas,
I 'm still digging around on the FMCSA and OOIDA websites for info, but can't find anything.
I guess this is a dead issue until I can find more info
Sorry -
I agree totally...
I just got caught up in a weak moment. I'm trying to get back on the road after a hiatus (Local job for 4 years) and need to be prepared for all changes.
ya know... PARANOID!!!!! -
The following was reported by The Trucker News Services.
Schneider National honored for sleep apnea program
GREEN BAY, Wis., and WASHINGTON (March 8, 2007) The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has honored Schneider National with the 2007 NSF Healthy Sleep Community Award for creating a groundbreaking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) detection and treatment program for its drivers.
Schneider National is the ninth recipient of the NSF Healthy Sleep Community Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts by businesses to initiate activities or programs based on sleep science with the goal of providing long-lasting results to benefit a significant portion of a particular community.
"Schneider National is honored that NSF has recognized our efforts to address the dangerous and far-reaching problem of sleep apnea in the industry, Don Osterberg, vice president of safety and training for Schneider National, said. "Ideally, we expect our program will serve as a model for the entire trucking industry. The industry needs to generate awareness of this problem, educate drivers to the dangers of untreated sleep apnea, provide resources to help them get treated and ultimately make the roads safer for everyone.
The commercial driver sleep apnea program administered by Schneider National was created in response to a study sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Trucking Associations that revealed up to 28 percent of commercial driver's license holders have some severity of OSA. -
I think they are fine the way they are... I just took a new DOT physical last week and there is no change nor should there be..... want to make the roads safer? then they need to re evaluate the ignorant HOS laws and stop Mexican truck drivers coming into the country, that would be a bigger step in safety if anything...
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I was going to refer to the same article. There are a handful of carreirs out there that are implimenting their own medical standards. Schneider is one of the first. -
Just let me point out that basing any decisions on the info put out by the Bozo's callers (or the Bozo himself!)is going to be treading on very thin ice.
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Tho it's pure B.S, in some ways might have been a good thing..........the body mass index anyways. Some of the people driving (when they have actually pulled themeselves away from the buffet long enough that is) shouldn't be drivers as they are quite unsafe.
Big Bubba / Bertha, who is just so obesse that they have circulation problems,among other obesse health problems pose greater risks of heart attacks while running down the highway at 68 mph. And I'm sorry I don't care how long someone's been driving or how "good" they are at it......Superman himself would have a hard time keeping 80,000 lbs from toppling some 4 wheeler in that instance.
I have nothing against being over weight.....except when it poses a threat to the potential safety of everybody else.ladyhawk90629 Thanks this. -
The Body Mass Index is very innaccurate. Here's a link to the CDC site that has the calculator:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm
I'm 6'3", and I used the calculator to figure out my BMI when it first came out. At the time, I was working out and my body fat was 10-12%. I was in excellent shape, and weighed in at 215. The BMI said I was overweight.
It doesn't take into account if you work out or not. Muscle, weighing more than fat, can cause you to be heavier.
I'm 240 now, and it says I'm obese! I'm definitely not where I need to be, but I'm certainly not obese. lol
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