Three public listening sessions will be hosted in May by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to gather more information on the prevalance of obstructive sleep apnea among truck drivers and its potential consequences to the industry.
The FMCSA is also requesting information on the potential costs and benefits from possible regulations that address the safety risks that go along with truck drivers who have obstructive sleep apnea.
The listening sessions are part of a continued effort by FMCSA to gather input on a potential sleep apnea rule. The agency published in March a “pre-rule” intended as a data collection effort. The pre-rule was a questionnaire for industry stakeholders, requesting feedback on the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea, the cost and benefits of treatment, screening procedures and diagnostics, medical personnel qualifications and restrictions and treatment effectiveness. Comments on the rule can be made until June 8 and can be submitted here.
The coming listening sessions will be held Thursday, May 12 in Washington, D.C., at the National Association of Home Builders; Tuesday, May 17 in Chicago at the Marriott Courtyard Downtown/River North; and Wednesday, May 25 in Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. All sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m. local time.
Each listening session is open to the public, and the FMCSA asks speakers to limit their comments to 3-5 minutes. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person can view a live webcast and will be given a chance to submit comments online that will be read aloud at the sessions. FMCSA will post specific information on how to participate via the webcast at this link ahead of the sessions.
