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GAWDA Consultants Webinar DOT Issues May 21, 2012

GAWDA Consultants Webinar DOT Issues May 21, 2012. Rick Schweitzer General Counsel Gases and Welding Distributors Association. Topics. FMCSA Regulations—HOS, EOBRs, Driver Training, Tank Endorsements, Medical Exams, Cell Phone Ban, Drug and Alcohol Database CSA Program; Safety Fitness

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GAWDA Consultants Webinar DOT Issues May 21, 2012

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  1. GAWDA Consultants WebinarDOT IssuesMay 21, 2012 Rick Schweitzer General Counsel Gases and Welding Distributors Association

  2. Topics • FMCSA Regulations—HOS, EOBRs, Driver Training, Tank Endorsements, Medical Exams, Cell Phone Ban, Drug and Alcohol Database • CSA Program; Safety Fitness • PHMSA Regulations—Special Permits, Fees and Fitness Standards • OSHA Hazcom Standards • Questions and Answers

  3. Hours of Service Regulations • After settlement of litigation, FMCSA revisited 11-hour daily driving limit and 34-hour reset in new rulemaking • Final rule December 27, 2011 • New rules effective July 13, 2013: 30-minute break after 8 hours on duty; 34-hr. reset once a week, 2 periods of 1:00-5:00 a.m. • In meantime, all HOS rules remain the same

  4. HOS Litigation • ATA sued to challenge 34-hour reset revisions and rule that 30-minute break must be all off duty time • Public Citizen sued to challenge 11-hour daily driving limit • ATA intervened in Public Citizen suit to argue for the 11-hour limit • Two cases are consolidated for hearing

  5. HOS Schedule • Court has not yet set briefing schedule for cases • Reports to court due May 14; schedule will be set soon after • Oral argument held sometime late summer or fall 2012 • Decision late 2012 or early 2013

  6. EOBR Rulemaking • Final rule on EOBRs published April 5, 2010 • If carrier has more than 10% of logs non-compliant in Compliance Review, FMCSA will order carrier to install EOBRs on all CMVs for 2 years for HOS compliance • Court of Appeals vacated rule for failure to consider anti-harassment requirements • FMCSA has withdrawn this rulemaking

  7. EOBR Mandate Proposal • FMCSA also proposed rule to mandate EOBRs for all CMV drivers in interstate commerce in February 2011 • Proposed three-year phase-in after rule became effective • FMCSA will issue a supplemental NPRM in early 2013 to consider anti-harassment requirements, supporting document rules

  8. Entry-Level CMV Driver Training • NPRM would require behind-the-wheel and classroom training to operate CMV with a CDL; also sets out curriculum requirements • Would apply to both new applicants and drivers who want to upgrade their CDL • For Class A, would require 76 hours classroom and 44 hours behind-the-wheel training • Final rule planned for 2012 publication; now withdrawn; cannot validate the standards?

  9. Entry-Level CDL Learner’s Permits • Final rule issued May 2011; effective July 2011 • This rule revised CDL knowledge and skills tests and requires a learner’s permit for CDL applicants • Sets out minimum info for CDL learner’s permits, age limits for LPs, and addresses domicile issues • Also imposes fraud detection and prevention at state DMVs

  10. Tank Vehicle Endorsement • Learner’s permit rule also changed definition of tank vehicle to include intermediate bulk containers of liquid or gas that total more than 1,000 gallons; now requires tank endorsement • ATA and others petitioned to reconsider; FMCSA has decided to reconsider the definition (but states still enforcing)

  11. National Registry of Medical Examiners • Final rule April 20, 2012 • Established training, testing and certification standards for medical examiners (self-reporting); intent is to promote uniformity of exams nationwide; starting May 2012 • Creates on-line database of certified medical examiners; carriers may not use driver unless examined by certified examiner as of May 2014

  12. Texting Ban, Cell Phone Limits • FMCSA/PHMSA have issued several rules to to ban texting while driving CMVs and also limit any cell phone use by CMV drivers • Rules allows CBs and two-way radios; also allow one-touch dialing and response; may not otherwise use hand-held devices • Companies should have cell phone policies in place already for all drivers

  13. Drug/Alcohol Test Database • New rule would create database for positive drug and alcohol test results for CDL drivers (and refusals to submit to tests) • Would require carriers to report positive tests and refusals into the database • Prospective employers could query the database (with written permission from driver) re applicant’s testing record • NPRM expected August 2012; but missed deadline to send proposal to OST already

  14. CSA Program • FMCSA changed its method for intervening with carriers on compliance with FMCSRs, beginning November 2010 • Menu of compliance tools for carriers and drivers: warning letters, targeted roadside and on-site inspections, voluntary compliance agreements, notices of violations • But problems with use of non-fault accident data against carriers • Will create a new Hazmat BASIC separate from cargo violations

  15. CSA Safety Fitness • FMCSA will also replace SafeStat carrier fitness rating program with a new rating methodology • This requires rulemaking and will not be completed until late 2013 at the earliest • Question of whether CSA has illegally imposed new fitness standards already without notice and comment rulemaking

  16. Special Permit Procedures • PHMSA has rewritten procedures for fitness determinations for SP applicants; some require site inspections; modal administrations will advise PHMSA on qualifications • FMCSR compliance record affects fitness • Industry requested SP procedures to be set out in rulemaking so we may comment--denied

  17. OSHA Hazcom Standards • OSHA final rule published March 26, 2012 to conform hazcom standards with UN System of Classification and Labeling fro chemicals • Affects classes, labeling for many products requiring MSDSs (now known as SDSs) • New system of pictograms to be used on packages for worker notification • Employee training required by Dec. 1, 2013

  18. Questions? • Richard P. Schweitzer, PLLC 1776 K Street, N.W. Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 223-3040 phone (202) 223-3041 fax rpschweitzer@rpslegal.com

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