Sleep apnea meeting agenda set

Conference to address trucking-related issues

The American Sleep Apnea Association has released the agenda for its Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference on May 11-12 in Baltimore. Co-sponsored by the American Trucking Associations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the meeting will offer information about sleep apnea diagnosis, treatment and compliance, along with expert presentations on regulatory, medical, legal and management topics. To view the program agenda, go to http://www.satc2010.org/preliminary-program-agenda.php

The Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference will offer information about sleep apnea diagnosis, treatment and compliance, along with expert presentations on regulatory, medical, legal and management topics.

ASAA says it has assembled stakeholders and leaders in transportation safety and healthcare to provide accurate, reliable and up-to-date information that addresses the complex issues involving sleep apnea that face the trucking industry. “The conference is a fact-filled day that includes perspectives from regulatory and research agencies, guidance on state medical exams, and real-life experiences from both companies and drivers facing the challenge of sleep apnea on a daily basis,” says Ed Grandi, ASAA executive director.

The target audience for the conference is trucking company executives responsible for safety, operations, medical requirements and policy. To help develop the agenda and inform discussion, ASAA formed an advisory board represented by thought leaders in government, trucking, motorcoach, law, insurance, occupational medicine, sleep medicine and safety. To view the advisory board, go to www.satc2010.org/conference-advisory-board.php.

Registration is $245 as of March 1. All attendees and participants will receive a comprehensive Resource Toolkit, which augments the conference information with additional details and guidance on the management of sleep apnea in trucking. For more information, contact Reid Blank at rblank@sleepapnea.org or go to www.satc2010.org.

928 safe drivers join UPS Circle of Honor

UPS inducted 928 drivers into its Circle of Honor, raising to 4,793 the number of active drivers who have steered clear of accidents for 25 years or more. Of the new Circle of Honor members, 231 have been accident-free for 35 or more years, with 17 of those having driven more than 40 years without an accident.

“Safe driving is not an afterthought – it’s at the very heart of our culture,” says Debbie Gehricke, UPS corporate health and safety manager. “Our drivers make a choice to be the best.”

The top safe driver among the 2009 Circle of Honor inductees is Kentucky District tractor-trailer driver Ron “Big Dog” Sowder, who has achieved 48 years and 4 million miles of driving without an accident.

In brief