Welding & Gases Today Explains Driver Regulations

Two proposals from the U.S. DOT will impact gases and welding distributors and their drivers.
By: Devin O'Toole
 
June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued two proposed rulemakings that will substantially alter gases and welding distributors’ delivery truck drivers’ hours and companies’ compliance with the driver hours of service regulations. GAWDA Consultant for Government Affairs, Human Resources and General Counsel Richard P. Schweitzer, Esq., outlines the impact of forthcoming regulations in “Driver Hours Subject To Change.” His article appears in the Second Quarter 2011 issue of Welding & Gases Today, the leading magazine for the gases and welding equipment industry.

On December 29, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published its notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the driver hours of service regulations. Among the proposed changes, the FMCSA is considering reducing the daily driving limit from 11 hours to 10 hours. The proposal also states a driver may only drive if it has been seven hours or less since a break of at least 30 minutes logged off-duty or in the sleeper berth. With these changes, a driver who logs on duty and works in the fill plant for three hours would then only be able to drive for a maximum of four hours before needing a break. A final rule was originally expected by the end of July 2011, but was recently delayed until October 2011.

Also affecting gases and welding distributors is a recent proposal to mandate that all operators of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce must use Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) to track hours of service compliance. Noncompliance would result in civil penalties and could negatively impact a carrier’s safety fitness rating and DOT operating authority.

To find out how these proposals will affect your company, read “Driver Hours Subject To Change” (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/03/dri...) at Welding & Gases Today Online.  For more information, contact Devin O’Toole, content editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@weldingandgasestoday.org or 315-445-2347.

# # #

Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
End
Source:Devin O'Toole
Email:***@datakey.org Email Verified
Tags:Driver Regulations, Dot, Drivers, Department Of Transportation, Delivery Truck, Hours, Driver Hours Of Service, Welding
Industry:Business
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
Page Updated Last on: Jul 25, 2011
GAWDA PRs
Trending News
Most Viewed
Top Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share