Mike
Well-Known Member
I was listening to Land Line Now last night and there is a push right now to potentially change up the requirements to pass a D.O.T. Physical. Several factors are being looked at which could effect many of the current drivers out on the road right now. I don't remember exactly who it is that is pushing all of this, but this is a recap of what I heard.
BMI - Body Mass Index. A way to establish a maximum BMI and perform testing is being looked into. Obesity is a big problem throughout the United States, but in trucking, it might be a more common than just about any other industry. The objective is to set a maximum BMI that must be passed in order to pass a D.O.T. Physical.
Sleep Apnea - Currently there are multiple methods of treating sleep apnea including a CPAP device, oral treatments, as well as multiple surgical procedures. From what I understood last night, the push seemed to be toward requiring drivers to have a surgery performed. The problem, the surgical procedures have a low rate of success. At the very minimum, whoever is pushing this wants to require drivers with sleep apnea to have regular checkups with their doctor to ensure they are using the devices such as the CPAP. As mentioned on the show, it is going to be hard for a doctor to tell if you have been using the machine or not though. The concern with sleep apnea is it's direct relation to driver fatigue, if not treated properly.
The show got into a couple other health issues as well, but I don't remember them right now. The point is though, don't be surprised if you see these health issues move to the forefront of many special interest groups who are already looking ways to make drivers "safer".
It is starting to sound like D.O.T. physicals could become a two week process if certain people get their way......
BMI - Body Mass Index. A way to establish a maximum BMI and perform testing is being looked into. Obesity is a big problem throughout the United States, but in trucking, it might be a more common than just about any other industry. The objective is to set a maximum BMI that must be passed in order to pass a D.O.T. Physical.
Sleep Apnea - Currently there are multiple methods of treating sleep apnea including a CPAP device, oral treatments, as well as multiple surgical procedures. From what I understood last night, the push seemed to be toward requiring drivers to have a surgery performed. The problem, the surgical procedures have a low rate of success. At the very minimum, whoever is pushing this wants to require drivers with sleep apnea to have regular checkups with their doctor to ensure they are using the devices such as the CPAP. As mentioned on the show, it is going to be hard for a doctor to tell if you have been using the machine or not though. The concern with sleep apnea is it's direct relation to driver fatigue, if not treated properly.
The show got into a couple other health issues as well, but I don't remember them right now. The point is though, don't be surprised if you see these health issues move to the forefront of many special interest groups who are already looking ways to make drivers "safer".
It is starting to sound like D.O.T. physicals could become a two week process if certain people get their way......