We are packed full of information this month: 1. Is body mass indicator (BMI) regulated by DOT? 2. Will paper medical certificates remain? 3. Loss Control – the eyes and ears of underwriting.
1. Is Body Mass Indicator (BMI) regulated by DOT?
Trucking lesson #1 is “don’t go believing all the trucker talk you hear”. Next to FMCSR 395 (logbooks, hours of service, ELD, etc.) FMSCR 391 – Subpart E (Physical Qualifications and Examinations) probably comes in a close second as the most highly discussed – and misinterpreted – regulation on the books. Heart rate and neck measurement would be collected as part of the routine DOT medical examination (for non-CDL and CDL regulated drivers). And while Body Mass Index (BMI) has been linked to sleep apnea, and some medical examiners may prescribe a sleep study for the driver – the driver cannot be declined his DOT medical certificate simply based upon BMI, neck size, weight, or heart rate. Nonetheless, heart rate will affect blood pressure, and the driver can be declined if BP is not within limits. Here are the stages of hypertension, and how these can limit the expiration of the physical card to < 2 years (and hence the CDL which is linked to the DOT medical by the BMV). Meanwhile the non-CDL commercial driver’s regular state issued/chauffeurs’ license is not linked to the DOT medical, so it’s no wonder there are a lot of confused truckers out there! Read More About Hypertension.
2. June 22nd Change Delayed – Paper Medical Certificates Remain
Citing ongoing problems with the National Registry web site, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that changes scheduled to take place in June have been delayed for three years. As a result, Medical Examiners will continue to issue paper Medical Examiner’s Certifications to drivers who pass their physical. Either the driver or motor carrier must then send that document to the state that issued the driver’s CDL. The motor carrier must then obtain an updated MVR to verify the new physical expiration date.
3.Loss Control – the Eyes and Ears of Underwriting
Attached below is a photo we took today at local account seen. The bottom nose rail was rusted away and had started to collapse causing additional damage to the aluminum skin of the trailer. We have made both the safety director and shop manager aware of this. We spotted this condition on two trailers.