Energy Department gets 30-minute break exemption renewed for radioactives haulers

FMCSA announced Friday it has renewed the Department of Energy’s exemption of the 30-minute break 30-minute requirement of current hours-of-service rules for DOE drivers hauling sensitive radioactive materials.

FMCSA said the carriers and drivers hauling such materials for the DOE will be treated the same as those transporting explosives. The exempted drivers will be allowed to use 30 minutes or more of on-duty “attendance time” to meet the HOS rest break requirements providing they do not perform any other work during the break.

The Department of Energy estimated 30 units and 53 drivers would currently be eligible for the exemption. The exemption will be effective until June 30, 2017.