A recent article published in USA Today reports that obesity could keep some of America’s truckers from becoming certified. Truck drivers may soon be required to participate in a sleep study for obstructive sleep apnea before they receive their certification.
Maggi Gunnels, director of medical programs for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, told USA Today, the medical review board of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to finalize their recommendations for truckers at risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on April 7. The board is expected to recommend a required sleep study for truck drivers who are of a predetermined level of obesity.
Under the expected recommendation, those who test positive for OSA would also be required to treat the condition with surgery or CPAP before being certified. The Owner-Operator Divers Association represents independent truckers and is expected to oppose this recommendation based on weight, unless a “direct causal relationship” between a truck driver’s obesity and OSA can be shown, Tom Weakley told USA Today.
