On Tuesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) submitted an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding sleep apnea testing and treatment in the trucking industry.
The advanced notice is basically a request for federal data, which will be used to formulate a final proposal for new regulations.
“The FMCSA and Federal Railroad Administration request data and information concerning the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea among individuals occupying safety sensitive positions in rail and highway transportation,” the notice said.
“FMCSA and FRA also request 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 obstructive sleep apnea, undergoing evaluation by a healthcare professional with expertise in sleep disorders and subsequent treatment.”
The final rule is expected to be published in the Federal Registrar in late-December or early January.
We’ll have a full breakdown of the proposed rule in the coming weeks, as soon as the information is made public.