Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/759228
18 commercial carrier journal | december 2016 JOURNAL NEWS Interstate concrete pumpers seek 30-minute break exemption A n association representing con- crete pumping companies and their employees is looking for an exemption for all interstate concrete pumping trucks and their drivers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's 30-minute rest break regulation. The American Concrete Pumping Association's exemption request would apply across the U.S. concrete pumping industry to all operators, companies and drivers who deliver, set up and operate concrete pumps. ACPA said many of the trucks oper- ate intrastate and wouldn't be covered under the exemption, but "an unknown number of the pumping trucks are operated in metropolitan areas and do routinely cross state lines." The association said it has several reasons behind the exemption request: • The mandatory 30-minute break increases the risk of dangerous con- ditions on jobsites because it would require the concrete pump to be shut down and cleaned out. Stopping the flow of concrete can allow air to enter the pipes, which could cause hoses to whip around and hit a pump operator. • Pump operators already take breaks throughout the day, so an additional 30-minute break doesn't enhance safety. • The operators only drive between 25 and 32 percent of their shift, with average daily driving distances of just 20 to 25 miles. • Because ready-mixed concrete truck drivers were granted a permanent exemption from keeping logs if operat- ing within a 100-mile radius, its con- crete pump operators don't have time to take a break because of the perish- able nature of concrete, which hardens within 90 minutes of the ingredients being mixed. FMCSA is seeking public comment on the request. To comment, search Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0342 at www.regulations.gov. – Matt Cole Nothing is more important than having your driver return home safely. Preventing distracted and drowsy driving is key to ensuring just that. Learn how the Lytx DriveCam ™ safety program with the ActiveVision ® service can help you put safety first at Lytx.com/SafetyFirst © 2016 Lytx, Inc. All rights reserved. SAVING MONEY IS OUR SECOND PRIORITY Safety always comes first. Untitled-7 1 11/2/16 2:43 PM ACPA said "an unknown number of the pumping trucks are operated in metropoli- tan areas and do routinely cross state lines."