Rules and Regulations. Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments

Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT
Action: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 2012-8372 · Docket No. FMCSA—2012-0081

Summary

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from four individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), due to syncope or likelihood of causing any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safely. FMCSA requests public comments on these applications for an exemption. If granted, the exemption would enable these individuals with ICDs to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

Dates

Comments must be received on or before May 7, 2012.

Supplementary Information

Background Section 4007 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) [Pub. L. 105-178, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 107, 401] as amended 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e) provides authority to grant exemptions from many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). On August 20, 2004, FMCSA published a final rule implementing section 4007 (69 FR 51589). Under this rule, FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public with an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request. The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If the Agency denies the request, it must state the reason for doing so. If the decision is to grant the exemption, the notice must specify the person or class of persons receiving the exemption and the regulatory provision or provisions from which an exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 2 years) and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.315(c) and 381.300(b)). The four individuals listed in this notice have requested an exemption from the ICD prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(4), which applies to drivers who operate CMVs as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, in interstate commerce. Section 391.41(b)(4) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. FMCSA provides medical advisory criteria for use by medical examiners in determining whether drivers with certain medical conditions, procedures, and/or treatments should be certified to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The advisory criteria indicate that: The term “has no current clinical diagnosis of” (1) a current cardiovascular condition, or (2) a cardiovascular condition which has not fully stabilized regardless of the time limit. The term “known to be accompanied by” is designed to include a clinical diagnosis of a cardiovascular disease (1) which is accompanied by symptoms of syncope, dyspnea, collapse or congestive cardiac failure; and/or (2) which is likely to cause syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. It is the intent of the FMCSRs to render unqualified a driver who has a current cardiovascular disease which is accompanied by and/or likely to cause symptoms of syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. However, the subjective decision of whether the nature and severity of an individual's condition will likely cause symptoms of cardiovascular insufficiency rests with the medical examiner and the motor carrier. The advisory criteria states that implantable cardioverter defibrillators are disqualifying due to risk of syncope. The emphasis should be on the underlying medical condition(s) which require treatment and the general health of the driver. In the case of ICDs the underlying condition for which the device was placed may place the driver at risk for syncope or gradual or sudden incapacitation that may be likely to result in loss of ability to safely control a CMV. ICDs also may deploy inappropriately, which would result in loss of ability to safely control a CMV. Individual Applications for Exemption—Qualifications Donald Hively Mr. Hively is a 52 year old commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver who holds a class A commercial drivers license (CDL) from the state of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hively has driven a truck for 36 years. He had an ICD placed due to ventricular tachycardia and a low ejection fraction which improved. The device has deployed several times, most recently due to ventricular tachycardia in October 2011. Mr. Hively would like to continue to drive a truck in interstate commerce, if he is granted an exemption. Richard Tadsen Mr. Tadsen is a 72 year old CMV driver who holds a class B and class D CDL from the state of Iowa. Mr. Tadsen had an ICD placed in 2009, with a history that includes cardiomyopathy, low ejection fraction which has improved, and hypertension. He would like to obtain a CDL and drive a CMV in interstate commerce, if granted an exemption. Richard Freund Mr. Freund is a 59 year old CMV driver who holds a class C and class D CDL from the state of New Jersey. Mr. Freund had an ICD placed due to a congenital heart condition. His driving history has a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI) in 1988. He would like to obtain a CDL and drive a CMV in interstate commerce, as a courier transporting small packages for distances that are usually less than 100 miles, if granted an exemption. Richard Rusk Mr. Rusk is a 53 year old CMV driver who holds a class A CDL in Illinois. Mr. Rusk had an ICD placed in 2010 as part of a clinical trial for sarcoidosis. He has had no episode of syncope. The ICD has never deployed. His physician states that Mr. Rusk is at the lower risk end of persons with ICDs. Mr. Rusk would like to obtain a CDL and drive a CMV in interstate commerce, if granted an exemption. Request for Comments In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA requests public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions described in this notice. The Agency will consider all comments received before the close of business May 7, 2012. Comments will be available for examination in the docket at the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Agency will file comments received after the comment closing date in the public docket, and will consider them to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing date. Interested persons should monitor the public docket for new material. Issued on: March 29, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2012-8372 Filed 4-5-12; 8:45 am]