FMCSA seeks to identify solutions for sleep apnea sufferers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently outlined a new plan to aid individuals who suffer from sleep apnea. In order to promote trucker health, the FMCSA has scheduled a meeting with its medical review board, which previously recommended tougher sleep apnea regulations, Trucking Info reports.

Officials told the news source that while the scheduled meeting does not necessarily mean imminent action, it does advance the issue. Previous meetings have yielded information about how a driver's weight impact their risk of suffering from sleep apnea.

"We do think it is appropriate to begin to look at some of the Review Board recommendations and look at more meaningful and effective ways to address driver fatigue, rather than simply looking at hours of service limitations," Rob Abbott, vice president of safety policy at American Trucking Associations, told the news source.

Companies may wish to enroll their operators in online truck driver safety training in order to help them understand that maintaining a healthy weight may positively contribute to their overall well-being.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 27 percent of Americans are obese.

By Mark Priest 

FMCSA seeks to identify solutions for sleep apnea sufferers

Thursday, April 28th, 2011