NTSB pushes for sleep apnea program
January 22, 2010
| by: admin
A technican for Sleep Pointe at Prime Inc.'s off-site sleep lab in Springfield, Mo., shows how he readies a patient for sleep apnea testing. (Photo Randy Grider
The National Transportation Safety Board wants the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to begin a program to identify commercial drivers at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, and if treatment is required, show that it is has been conducted.
The NTSB also issued these recommendations to the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s now up to the Coast Guard to ensure these operators are screened, evaluated and treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
On Oct. 20, the board issued the recommendation for commercial drivers, noting “relative risk of accident involvement for individuals with OSA is clearly elevated and quite clearly associated with the untreated disease.” The FMCSA’s research suggests at least 10 percent of commercial drivers have at least moderate OSA.
The NTSB wants the agency to identify these drivers and show, when necessary, they are effectively treated through the medical certification process of evaluation, before being granted unrestricted medical certification.
“Commercial motor vehicle drivers at risk for obstructive sleep apnea is a safety issue we take seriously,” said FMCSA spokesman Duane DeBruyne. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is already considering a rule to tighten its standards for medical certification of commercial drivers.”
The FMCSA has a question on its medical certification that asks about sleep disorders. It also offers this under “Is Sleep Apnea Disqualifying?”
“Drivers should be disqualified until the diagnosis of sleep apnea has been ruled out or has been treated successfully,” and “A driver with a diagnosis of (probable) sleep apnea or a driver who has Excessive Daytime Somnolence should be temporarily disqualified.”
Last year, the FMCSA Medical Review Board recommended the FMCSA require screening for OSA for drivers with a Body Mass Index over 30, but the agency has not acted on this.
The NTSB also wants the FMCSA to develop and disseminate guidance for commercial drivers, employers and physicians regarding the identification and treatment of individuals at high risk for OSA.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has said on its website that OSA has almost always been linked only anecdotally to some crashes. Drivers should be able to freely discuss medical conditions with physicians without damaging their career or causing them unnecessary medical expense, OOIDA said.
“The industry knows apnea is a problem and many companies have their own apnea screening and treatment programs,” said Clayton Boyce, American Trucking Associations spokesman. “Also the current FMCSA required medical screening process includes checks for apnea.”
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When is the trucking industry going to grown some and say NO WERE NOT going to allow this anymore. Every time you look some agency in the government wants to figure a way to make money off us. They know they cant go after the normal guy on the street they would fight back but we all just sit and read and allow and say ok maybe this will be the last thing they do to us. Cmon drivers its time we finally quit fighting each other and STAND UP this sleep apnea is just one more notch for them how many more do you want to give. You will have to pay for this as you do your hazmat fingerprinting. Look it up and see how much it costs you may be surprise the answer the govt wont pay it thats for sure. How many of the politicians have sleep apnea are they forced to take it oh wait there job isnt important they fall asleep they fall off a chair while leaning back sleeping at there desks which they do so well
I’m with you driver,it’s wensday 1/20/10.I’m setting at home now because I myself have been tested and found out I have a mild sleep apnea. I stop breathing buring my sleep.So they tell me that when I wake I’m tired and I don’t get enough rest.GO FIQURE!! I know its B.S.as well as you. I do think it’s a good thing for the ones who has a severe case of sleep apnea,but they are putting all of us together as one. This August will be 25 long hard years and over 2 million safe miles.That does’nt mean crap any more. Be safe and God bless.Drivers,if we don’t start working together soon,you yourself may be setting at home with bills piling up,and can’t find work. If you think for 1 minute your Goverment cares,you yourself needs some sort of mental help. Hope to be back soon. gitngone
I will agree with ya’ll. I’ve been out here for 30 yrs now. Everyone that I know has nights that you just can’t sleep. As for me I’ll keep driving till I’m told that I have to do this deal. If they pay for it fine, if not I guess that’s when I take my 3.5 million miles off the road and go flip burgers. With the way drivers are treated now days it can’t be any worse. It also sounds to me that they want all of us old timers, that have millions of safe miles behind us off the road so that they can get thier little driving school robots being the only ones out here. Most of these companys say that they want experanced drivers with good safty records, but then want to pay us like it is still 1980. So to me it looks like they have come up with this to get the most experanced drivers off the road. I guess when that happens I’ll see if the goverment will retrain a 53 year old driver to do something else. By the way someone needs to inform these over educated nitwits the mussule weighs more than fat. i’ve been a weight lifter since HS and a flatbedder/heavey hauler for most of my time driving.
TRUCKER’S KEEP AMERICA GOING!!!
SO, NOW I HAVE BEEN OUT HERE FOR A WHILE AND I AM A LITTLE DISCRUNTLED AT AMERICA AND THE WAY THEY TREAT THE TRUCK DRIVERS PERIOD. FIRST, THE BIG WIGS IN THIS INDUSTRY WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS THE DRIVERS FAULT FOR BEING SO HEAVY TO START WITH. WELL, HAVE THEY CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING??? THE FOOD CHOICES THEY ACTUALLY HAVE OUT HERE?? THE COMPANY MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR ACTUALLY WANTS AND REQUIRES HIM TO FUEL AT THE PILOT LOCATIONS, WHICH IN TURN – HAS ONLY THE CHOICES OF FAST FOOD. MIND YOU THEIR HEALTHY CHOICES OF VEGETABLES ARE PUT SO FAR IN THE BACK OF THE COOLER THAT THEY ARE FROZEN, EWW WHO WANTS THAT??? WITH THE LOG BOOK REGULATIONS, THERE REALLY ISN’T TIME TO GO AND DRIVE AROUND TAKING TIME OFF YOUR LOG BOOK TO FIND OTHER RESTAURANT CHOICES WHERE YOU CAN MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES AT.
THE DRIVER’S DON’T EVEN REALLY HAVE DECENT CHOICES WHEN GOING INTO THE TRUCK STOPS AS A RULE. THE ONLY ONES THAT ACCOMIDATE THEM AND THEIR HEALTH IS THE FLYING J. AND THERE IS TALK OF SHUTTING THEM DOWN AND BUYING THEM OUT. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE FRESH PRODUCTS AND HAPPY TO HELP WHERE THEY CAN. .
– FROM THE TRUCKERS NEWS MAGAZINE THAT WE GET ALL OVER AMERICA –
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SHE JUST MAY HAVE NOT EVER EVEN BEEN IN A TRACTOR. PROBABLY THE CLOSEST THING SHE HAS GOTTEN TO IS PROBABLY HER FANCY CAR WITH HER COOLER WITH ICE AND THINGS SHE HAS PUT TOGETHER NEATLY.
SHE HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE DRIVERS PUT TOGETHER A COOLER WITH CUT UP VEGGIES AND FRUITS WITH YOGURT AND SUCH.
FIRST OFF – SHE DOESN’T REALIZE THAT MOST OF THE DRIVERS DON’T HAVE ROOM IN THEIR TRUCK FOR THEIR CLOTHES MUCH LESS A COOLER AND –THEIR TIME IS VERY CONFINED. THEY ONLY HAVE SO MANY HOURS IN A DAY. SHE SUGGESTS THEM WALKING AROUND THE TRUCKSTOPS AFTER DRIVING 11 HOURS A DAY IN A SEMI TRUCK. IT APPEARS THAT SHE DOESN’T GET IT AT ALL.
I’M GUESSING THIS WOMAN IS TRYING TO INSINUATE SOMETHING THAT ISN’T REALLY THERE FOR A TRUCK DRIVER. THE FOOD THEY SAY IS FOOD IN A TRUCK STOP MAKES YOU GAIN WEIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT’S CRAPPY FOOD. THE THINGS SHE’S SUGGESTING ARE NOT POSSIBLE FOR THESE DRIVERS. THEY ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TIME AND ARE ON A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE ESPECIALLY WITH THE LAW AND THE LOG BOOKS ON THEIR BACKS. MY SUGGESTION IS FOR THIS WOMAN TO GO TRUCKING AND DO IT ALL HERSELF AND ALSO WHAT SHE HAS SUGGESTED AND THEN SAY IT IS AN ATTAINABLE GOAL FOR THE DRIVER.
WHAT I AM SAYING TO EVERYONE OUT HERE IS SIMPLY THIS:::
AMERICA TREATS TRUCKERS LIKE TRASH; IT STARTS ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THEY ARE CUT OFF. THEN THEY GO IN TO GET A SHOWER WHERE THEY ARE TREATED AS IF THEY DON’T MATTER,OR ARE A NUMBER. THEN THEY GO TO SIT DOWN TO EAT DINNER AFTER A LONG HARD DAY’S WORK AND THEY GET SERVED CRAPPY FOOD FROM PEOPLE WHO DON’T CARE!!! I’M APPALED AT THAT — BEING IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS YOU NEED TO CARE OR GET OUT.
WHEN YOU ARE AT HOME AND SITTING ON YOUR COUCH WATCHING YOUR MOVIE EATING YOUR POPCORN. JUST REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE IT A TRUCK BROUGHT IT.
DID YOU BLOW YOUR NOSE AND USE TISSUE TODAY??? A TRUCK BROUGHT IT
DID YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM AND USE TOILET PAPER TODAY??? A TRUCK BROUGHT IT
THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE A TRUCKER THANK HIM—
THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE HIM ON THE ROAD GIVE HIM ROOM TO KEEP ON ROLLIN’ BECAUSE AMERICA STOPS WITHOUGHT TRUCKS’
THERE IS NOTHING GLAMORUS ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE ON THE ROAD, BUT THE TRUCKERS DO IT FOR US, SO THAT WE CAN LIVE A GLAMORUS LIFE AT HOME WITH OUR FAMILIES——/////////
I think they should start screening these new guys that are just getting there c.d.ls before they even have a chance to get it so they do not waste there time and money getting one an then finding out they cant even drive. I have been of the rad for over a year now taking care of my mom who has cancer and I am going to try to get back in to driving now.I started driving right before they changed the hours of service and all the goverment is trying to do is get more money out of the guys that keep america running instead of going after there own guys that make a 6 digit figure a year we give up enought with being out here on the road time with family and friends, always in a hurry to make pick up or dilivery, always making sure were leagal
I am with everyone. I am a wife a long haul truck driver who has been driving and training for over twenty years. All this sleep Apena to me is not right. This is discrimination…not all that but, also all the other stuff with not being able to idle trucks…what are they suppose to do when it is hot or cold? The companies don’t want them to idle to save money, but yet they are not suppose to drive no more than 10 hours but how can they sleep if it hot or cold? The other issue is parking. Can’t park here or no trucks allowed. What are they suppose to do when they need something to eat or personal items when they are on the road for a month or more or less? Walmart parking lots won’t let you park unless the city, country or state give them a ticket and all they are doing are shopping for their needs. Then they want to cut down costs but still expect the loads to get their on time at no cost to them but to the driver…Apparently those who keep making up all the rules have no idea the life of a real trucker. Granted there are some who don’t need to be truckers, but there are those who are dedicated, honest and hard working …to give up a home life to have a little for those he/she loves. It is like a prison for some of these guys. What is up with all this. Truckers are treated with no respect and like trash…I am proud to be a trucker wife and I am proud of my husband….this is not a job that everyone can do and do it well. I think everyone needs to sit down write a letter to the president, senator, govenor….more the better and maybe some how make a day to just stop! Let them see how this country would go with out the American Truck Driver….These truckers are out there trying to sleep in a diesel trampoline bed while all those who want to put all these restrictions sleep in their nice cozy beds with the family near by….let them try it…they could do it….I think their needs to be some kind of union to protect the drivers. Something or the Truckers need to take a stand! If everyone out there could get their wives or try to find a moment to express the concerns to the Government….maybe something would be heard…..Please …Everyone Speak up for the American Truck Drivers!
This is nothing but an overregulatory government that is out of control. The only way we will ever beat this kind of Crap is at the ballot box. We need to start electing people who are not going to be influenced by these whiny special interest groups that think they know what is better for us better than we do. Follow the money. Our politicians are ruled by money. We need to get rid of them. They are destroying this country. Get out and vote while we still have the right to !!!!
IN FEB. OF THIS YEAR I WENT FOR A PHYSICAL TO WORK FOR ANOTHER COMPANY. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THO I WAS IN GOOD HEALTH TAKE NO MEDS AND FEEL GREAT AFTER LOSING 60 LBS N THE PRECEEDING 12 MONTHS THAT BECAUSE MY BMI WAS ABOVE 40 THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BE TESTED FOR OSA. I WAS GIVEN A 3 MONTH CARD AND TOLD BY THE COMPANY THAAT I WAS NOT HIREABLE. (WTF) HAD A 1500 DOLLAR TEST. WAS TOLD AT THE END THAT I WAS FINE BY THE MONITER THAT WAS WITH ME ALL NIGHT AND THAT I DID NOT STOP BREATHING AT ALL THAT NIGHT. Then…..A WEEK LATER I GOT A LETTER FROM A DR THAT SAID HE “READ” MY TEST AND I HAD STOPPED BREATGNG 17 TIMES N AN HOUR AND DID HAVE OSA!!! Wanted ME TO TAKE ANOTHER TEST ON MY DOLLAr and USE A MACHINE! Uh NOT NO BUT HELL NO! My DR OF 7 YEARS TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS CONFIDENT N SAYING THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT AND SHE WOULD BET HER CARREFR ON IT. Yes. I am big girl… But since i got divorced and quit drinking sodas i have lost a total of 85 lbs so far. WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP THE WHOLE THING IS. ALL I WANT TO DO IS WORK AND SUPPORT MY 2 KIDs WITHOUT BEING DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DO IT FOR ME. And if they won’t give me a health card then i file for disability. Medicaid , food stamps and public housing.
OK. OSA wakes ya up. So do bad dreams. Havin to take a leak. Noisy jakes. 2ft deep drops if ya got a teamer driving around Chi town. Worry. Any number of things can wake a man repeatedly just about every night. That’s the nature of the beast. What makes OSA so special and what kinda educated idiots are runnin the show?
I”m sorry to say,STAND UP,CAN WE TAKE OUR
COUNTRY,JOBS,AND RIGHT TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILYS A ROOF ,HOT FOOD,LOVE,,PEOPLE WE ARE IN TROUBLE….GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Just more BS. Long before I knew about sleep apnea,it was called the smith,s desease.my moms family side just let them sit down for a minute and they were gonefat or skinny didn,t matter. Now after some quack done a halfazz study OMG its the fat people only and thats afact.Next it will be only the people that own AZ beachfront property!
Now they are going to charge us for this test that tell them we are not getting the proper rest do to sleep apnea.
Of course it couldn’t have anything to do with the rules that already exist.This is just another way to rape the trucking industry.When they quit trying to make money off of safety everything will be fine.Is this America?
These people are probably not going to let me do this but,mrtmrsh@gmail.com if anyone cares to talk.
If this passes, all it will be is another hole that a lot of us won’t be able to get out of. A lot of us, general public included, have nights that we don’t sleep. You won’t see them getting their licenses taken away for something that we can’t really control. Stress is a lot of the reason that us as drivers can’t sleep. the contributors to that stress is our dispatchers, Shippers, Receivers, DOT, and the damn Fourwheelers that aren’t paying attention