short article about truckers and sleep apnea

[cate1898]

Somehow I came across this online and thought it might interest someone (or maybe it's old news?). ....and no I'm not a trucker LOL

http://www.truckersnews.com/possible-sle...5dbd94447c

ADMIN EDIT: Adding the full text of the article because sometimes links "go bad":



Possible sleep apnea rule appears to be in the works

A data collection effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) intended to gauge how many truck operators have obstructive sleep apnea and what impact a sleep apnea rule could have on the industry has taken a step forward in the federal rulemaking process and could be published by year’s end.

The federal regulatory dashboard says the White House’s Office of Management and Budget received the so-deemed “pre-rule” from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

A separate report from the DOT indicates the rule could be published by the end of the month.

The data request, being conducted in a joint effort by the FMCSA and the Federal Railroad Administration, is intended to not only gauge the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea among truck operators, but also to get feedback from the industry about how a sleep apnea rule could affect truckers and the industry at large.

Per the agency’s synopsis of the pre-rule:

“FMCSA… also request[s] information about the potential economic impact and safety benefits associated with regulatory actions that would result in transportation workers in these positions, who exhibit multiple risk factors for OSA, undergoing evaluation by a healthcare professional with expertise in sleep disorders, and subsequent treatment.”

The agency began work on the pre-rule, also designated as an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, at the beginning of October.

Fair Use, from:
http://www.truckersnews.com/possible-sle...5dbd94447c

[DariaVader]

The truckers will hate it, but everyone should have a study. It saves lives. Trouble is the mills that will spring up to support this... the mandate will not be done with common sense, on that, I would bet my bottom dollar.

[cate1898]

We've had a lot of MVC fatalities in the past year around here caused by transport trucks. I sometimes wonder if sleep apnea is partly to blame.

[Terry]

Somehow I came across this online and thought it might interest someone (or maybe it's old news?). ....and no I'm not a trucker LOL

http://www.truckersnews.com/possible-sle...5dbd94447c

There are going to be a lot of really P*ssed off truckers and trucker's wives who write "thank you" letters to the DOT in a few months. 8-)

[49er]

The problem may be more than just sleep apnea. Google "safety rules of trucking industry " for more information.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

The truckers will hate it, but everyone should have a study. It saves lives. Trouble is the mills that will spring up to support this... the mandate will not be done with common sense, on that, I would bet my bottom dollar.

I agree, but don't think "everyone" is a necessity. I believe the DOT/insurance rules now are that having a size 17 neck necessitates having a sleep study. I think that is very reasonable.

I think burdening the health system with unnecessary sleep studies for people not at risk is not a wise use of resources.

Just my $.02.