The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Foundation is pushing back against new sleep apnea guidelines, reports trucking trade magazine Go By Truck News.
Last year, the FMCSA and Federal Railroad Administration issued an advanced notice of public rulemaking regarding a possible sleep apnea screening regulation. In August 2016, the FMCSA’s Medical Review Board recommended stricter guidelines for when a driver should be tested for obstructive sleep apnea.
However, OOIDA contends that the data doesn’t back up the need for a costly mandate.
“FMCSA’s own studies, in particular, have found that there is ‘no association between sleep apnea, as measured by the apnea/hypopnea index, and commercial motor vehicle crashes,’” OOIDA wrote.
Read more at www.gobytrucknews.com
I have been working in sleep for many years, a preponderance of both Short and Long-haul drivers are massively obese. I have completed OSA exams on some in the industry that demonstrate neck circumferences of greater than 20 inches. They fall asleep during the in-take process. While I understand the issues, not testing and treating (and assuring compliance) for an obvious concern is ludacris. Allowing these organizations to “self” care and deflect responsibility; shows a disrespect for both those in the industry and the folks that die as a result of their denial.
When i was a truck driver…was overweight snored etc. Was tired all the time micro napping behind the wheel..Company forced me to take apnea test…results had to get on cpap machine 4 hrs a day. All I know by day 2 on cpap I was no longer tired…no napping at customers…spent the whole day awake and slept great at night…I am no longer a truck driver but use the cpap 8 hrs a night. Other drivers claim it did nothing for them…but like most drivers you cant tell them anything because as all truck drivers know…they know it all.