Fracking trucks subject to workday limits

The federal government recently announced truck drivers hauling water and sand to oil and natural gas shale wells across the country will no longer be able to extend their on-duty hours. Fracking truckers used to be able to use an exemption created for special oil-field service equipment to increase their workday limit. This exemption is no longer available for these drivers.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the time drivers spent waiting while water and sand are unloaded at shale well sites must be counted toward the maximum 14 hours a day they are allowed to work. In an effort to support trucker health the DoT has clarified the workday limit rule to ensure drivers are not overworked in all fields, Businessweek reported.

The DoT is targeting the hydraulic fracking industry specifically after large volumes of unreported hours were discovered, when drivers used the exemption to discount hours spent loading and unloading trucks. The result of the rule clarification will likely include hydraulic fracking companies adding new drivers to their operations to make up for manpower lost when the 14-hour workday maximum is reached, Businessweek reported.

As regulations tighten on the hydraulic fracking industry, one trucking organization is continuing to grow. Quality Distribution trucking company recently acquired Wylie Bice Trucking for $79 million, as the company looks to expand its energy logistics business and investment in hydraulic fracking operations. The acquisition follows the purchase of Trojan Vacuum Services in April, another energy-related move by Quality Distribution this year, Journal of Commerce reported.

Fracking trucks subject to workday limits

Thursday, June 14th, 2012