FMCSA, FRA announce dates for ‘listening sessions’ on sleep apnea

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration have released information about three public listening sessions intended to help the agencies learn more about obstructive sleep apnea among commercial motor vehicle drivers and rail workers.

FMCSA and FRA announced the following dates and locations for the meetings:

• May 12 in Washington at the National Association of Home Builders headquarters
• May 17 in Chicago at the Marriott Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North
• May 25 in Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

Each session is set to run from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., local time.

The sessions mark the latest step in the agencies’ efforts to gather details about the effects of sleep apnea on workers in safety-sensitive positions. Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder that disrupts sleep and may lead to impairment or inattentiveness. On March 8, FMCSA and FRA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to consider requirements aimed at improving safety for workers who have sleep apnea.

“The listening sessions are intended to provide interested parties with an opportunity to share their views on this topic with representatives of both agencies, along with any data or analysis they may have,” FMCSA officials stated in a press release announcing the listening sessions.

Comments can be submitted online in advance of the meetings. Go to www.regulations.gov and search for the docket numbers, “FMCSA-2015-0419” and “FRA-2015-0111.”