December 21, 2015: MCM Weekly Newsletter |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Dec 25 MCM Office Closed Christmas Day Jan 1 MCM Office Closed New Years Day Jan 4 Share The Road Senior High School, Billings Jan 5 Share The Road Skyview High School, Billings Jan 6 Share The Road Billings West High School Jan 12 Board of Directors Meeting, Helena Location & Time TBD Safety Council Meeting, Helena Location & Time TBD Jan 13 Billings Chapter Safety Meeting Meeting Info TBA Jan 21 Missoula Chapter Safety Meeting Meeting Info TBA
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MDT News
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MAR 18-157 (MCS) Notice of Proposed Amendment
MDT is proposing to amend its administrative rules pertaining to Motor Carrier Services.
The proposed amendments are necessary to update the Code of Federal Regulations citations to the most current versions; to bring Montana in compliance with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) harmonization efforts; to address safety concerns regarding overweight vehicle bridge crossings; and to clean up duplicative language. MDT is accepting written comments through 5:00 p.m., January 21, 2016, as stated in the attached Proposed Rule Notice.
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Restrictions on Use of HOS Restart to Remain Suspended
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The Consolidated Omnibus appropriations bill signed by the President on Friday will most likely extend the suspension of enforcement of the two restrictions on the use of the 34-hour restart (must include two 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. periods and can only be used once every 168 hours) that were originally effective July 1, 2013. Enforcement was initially suspended on December 16, 2014 with enactment of the omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2015, which directed FMCSA to study two groups of drivers - those operating under the rules with the restart restrictions and those operating under the HOS rules without the restart restrictions - and issue a report determining whether the restrictions provided net safety benefits. Although that report has yet to be submitted, the new law raises the bar by requiring both the Secretary and the Inspector General of the USDOT to certify that the final report meets all the requirements of the 2015 law and also that the report demonstrates drivers operating under the restrictions "demonstrates statistically significant improvement in all outcomes related to safety, operator fatigue, driver health and longevity, and work schedules" compared to drivers who operated without the restrictions.
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DOT Wants Sleep-Apnea Data
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A Department of Transportation data-collection request on the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among truck drivers and other transportation workers - as well as the potential impact of any future OSA-related regulatory actions - has been filed with the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Issued jointly by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration as an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, a.k.a. a "pre-rule," the request could be the first step toward federal regulation of the testing and treatment of truck drivers and others for the sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is often viewed as a safety concern because it can cause general fatigue and result in drowsy driving.
The pre-rule (RIN 2126-AB88), titled "Evaluation of Safety Sensitive Personnel for OSA," specifically seeks "data and information concerning the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea among individuals occupying safety sensitive positions in rail and highway transportation."
The agencies are also requesting information about the potential economic impact and safety benefits associated with "regulatory actions that would result in transportation workers in these positions, who exhibit multiple risk factors for OSA, undergoing evaluation by a healthcare professional with expertise in sleep disorders, and subsequent treatment."
That law does not require the agency to issue any sleep-apnea policy or regulation. Rather, the bill states that no policy can be issued without the agency first conducting a thorough analysis of the prevalence of OSA among commercial drivers; the range of possible actions to address the problem; and the costs and benefits that may result.
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Share The Road
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We are in need of volunteers for Share The Road in Billings January 4, 5 & 6 from 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day.
A reminder for those volunteering equipment, please remember that we need your equipment at the location by 3:35 p.m. before the class starts.
Each piece of equipment needs 2 people (driver and helper) and we also require additional cars/pick-ups to go in the no zones.
Any help you can provide in these areas would be appreciated. For questions please contact Frank Molodecki at frankm@dtsb.com.
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Senior High
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1/4/2016
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Phone
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students
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Driver/Truck 1
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66
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Driver/Truck 2
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Instructor 1
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Helper
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Helper
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Skyview
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1/5/2016
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Phone
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58
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Driver/Truck 1
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Ankrum Trucking - Brian Ankrum
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406-245-6955
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Driver/Truck 2
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Instructor 1
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Helper
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Motor Carriers of Montana - Kevin DeWitt
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406-442-6600
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Helper
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West High
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1/6/2016
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Phone
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62
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Driver/Truck 1
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SAGE Technical Services - Bill Carr Jr.
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406-652-3030
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Driver/Truck 2
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Ankrum Trucking - Brian Ankrum
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406-245-6955
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Instructor 1
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Helper
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Helper
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SafetyFestMT: Missoula 2016
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February 8 - 12 2016
Hilton Garden Inn Missoula
3720 North Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808
Don't miss this opportunity to take advantage of the fantastic line up of FREE classes available at the Missoula 2016 SafetyFestMT. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To register as an exhibitor please use the contact information below. Spaces are limited so don't wait!
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