By: Allen Smith
There may be a new regulation coming for the trucking industry. If so, this new requirement could effect as many as 3.9 million licensed commercial truck drivers, according to a recent study by the Cambridge Health Alliance.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode, called an apnea, lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and such episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep. Clinically significant levels of sleep apnea are defined as five or more episodes per hour of any type of apnea. There are three distinct forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive and complex ( a combination of central and obstructive). Regardless of type, the individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram, or a Sleep Study. This “Sleep Study” may be the laying foundation for the new trucking regulation.
Truckers with severe sleep apnea or who sleep less than five hours a night are more likely to experience sleepiness and impaired ability while driving, one study concluded. Furthermore, studies have shown that obesity is the most significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Over 60% of adult Americans are categorized as being overweight. Each year obesity causes at least three hundred thousand deaths in the United States. The statistics are even worse for truckers.
Studies show that approximately 73% of drivers are overweight and more than 50% are obese. Because of these statistics, another aspect for the possible new regulation will be a required BMI test for truck drivers. BMI ( Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. It is calculated by four different categories:
- BMI of 18.5 or less = Underweight
- 18.5 – 24.9 = Normal Weight
- 25 – 29.9 = Overweight
- 30 or greater = Obesity
As an example, an adult male who is 5′ 10″ tall and weighs 220 pounds, would calculate out with a BMI reading of 31.6, thus being regarded as obese. An adult woman who is 5′ 8″ tall and weighs 150 pounds, would calculate out at 22.8 BMI, being regarded as normal weight. You can calculate your BMI to see where you would fit in, if this was already a regulation for truckers.
Being discussed on the grounds of safety, sleep apnea testing, along with BMI calculations, is becoming more of a possibility as a new trucking regulation. Even though this condition is completely treatable and reversible, I have heard from one source that one trucking company has said that they expect to lose 20% of their current drivers if this does become a regulation. We have learned that many trucking companies are in a silent “panic mode” right now, and plan to either ask new driver applicants to take the sleep test, as well as considering current drivers in their employment to have the testing performed also.
Other factors which may be considered before someone could become a professional truck driver are:
- High blood pressure testing
- Their pattern of sleep
- Neck size
- Age
Their is a lot of underground talking going on about the problem of sleep apnea and obesity. Don’t be surprised if this new testing soon becomes a new regulation for the trucking industry and our nation’s truck drivers.
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: apnea, BMI, body mass index, obesity, regulation, sleep apnea, sleep test, testing, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking, trucking companies, trucking regulation
AskTheTrucker
[...] If so, this new requirement could effect as many as 3.9 million licensed commercial … http://www.askthetrucker.com/will-sleep-apnea-test-be-new-regulation-for-trucking/ Daily [...]
There’s this as well to determine whether or not one needs a sleep study:
http://www.cdh.org/ClinicalServices.aspx?id=9322
I took such a written test at a Trucking company last year and since I didn’t LIE like so many Drivers stated, after the fact, I should have done, I was put on a Medical hold and subsequently refused for being hired until I satiated the hold requirements. I tried to satiate the requirements yet I REFUSE to have any related surgery nor shall I have a CPAP machine. My wife had a CPAP machine at home one time to assist with sleeping (she wasn’t a Driver anywhere) yet the NOISE and the Nose intrusions kept her more awake than asleep.
I could not sleep anywhere near it and one thinks a reefer is loud, sheesh.
I’ll not be driving anymore if this sleep apnea initiative becomes a law or other worded requirement for Drivers.
If this initiative becomes a requirement just to acquire a Class A License or to retain one then I’ll be sacrificing mine.
People have been snoring since Humanity began yet now it’s a problem??
With the new or newest H.O.S. rules and the No Parking everywhere rules, and the LACK of available parking in many areas of this country especially at Night, Sleep Apnea rules/laws will eliminate so many Drivers that only a select portion will be available and Trucking as we know it now will quickly be reduced to a select group.
When the government steps in to regulate something it generally gets regulated into oblivion. Such will be Trucking.
I Hope the Best for current and future Drivers whichever route they choose.
Thanks for the article Eric. I did read it and it definitely adds some interesting twists to the “importance of fatigue in relation to sleep apnea and fatal accidents”
Sleep Apnea is real and this condition does exist. However, like so many other issues in life, you have to ask:
Is this serious condition being exploited for the gain of others?
If so, who?
Interesting.
[...] Will Sleep Apnea Testing be the Next Trucking Regulation … [...]
I cannot stand this whole Sleep Apnea BS! It is only becoming an issue so someone’s brother-in-law can make a buck off of an honest mans/woman’s work. I hope truckers will stand up to this BS an say no more. I think Americans take their privacy for granted and this is getting in to my private life. Truckers are just dollar signs for these pathetic people to prey on.
Sleep Apnea can be a very serious condition and lead to severe safety issues, but I agree that like most things, there is a “buck” to be made somewhere in many of the not-so-serious conditions. But, there is more to come . . . http://www.askthetrucker.com/truckers-to-shape-up-or-ship-out/
Eric and Steve, Sleep apnea is a very serious condition, i know first hand i was diagnosed 10 years ago. Cpap therapy has quite literally saved my life. the latest study reports that nightly bouts of uninterrupted, oxygen deprived sleep raise the chances of dying in middle-aged to elderly people by 46 percent. Even people with moderate forms of the sleep disorder, with anywhere from 15 to 30 episodes of interrupted breathing during each hour of supposed rest, the risk of death rises 17 percent!
That is why i have developed a sleep apnea and treatment program designed especially for the trucking industry. I know time off the road is money lost. Our program uses a goverment approved sleep study the Embletta, which is applied at home or in your cab so that time is not lost off the road. the study is read and interepted by Board Certified Sleep Physicians and if therapy is recommened it is shipped to you with complete video and written instructions on application. The first step in this process is a simple 8 question form, if you score 9 or higher your are at risk, if not the process stops at no cost. The cost of the sleep study is $250.00, if positive therapy is not perscribed you only pay the $250.00. Therapy is provided via an Auto-pap cpap which requires no extra titration study in a lab. The cost of the complete program is $1275.00. This will allow you to renew your CDL when the law passes, keep you on the road during the process and cost you about $4000.00 less than a traditional sleep study in a lab. Yes we make some money from this program however the cost is affordable by most everyone and is designed to keep you working.
Our firm has devleoped a new sleep aid. How cn we introduce the product as part of the sleep test for truckers to demonstrate its improved sleep quality for truckers?
Thx
Terrence
Please foward me your information on your product and a way to contact you.
Thanks
gmcdermand@bms1.com
Thanks for the info Greg. Do you have a website?
Allen, we are working on our website now, hopefully by the end of september however anyone can reach me at 330-565-5798 or safetyfirst@bms1.com and i will be glad to pass along any information they may request.
Allen, our website will be up an running on Monday. In light of the new guidelines the just published in October it seems the industry is heading toward mandantory sleep screening. I will be glad to share these proposed guidelines.
One of the countries leading sleep clinics started something unorthodox in it’s studies that should be of interest to truckers. They found that in up to 70% of the subjects diagnosed with apnea they could significantly reduce or even stop apnea episodes by training the patient to sleep on his or her side all night. Instead of forcing the people to sleep on thier back like standard sleep clinics do they used a simple belt with a tennis ball pinned to the back of it that effectively trained the person being studied to roll back on thier side every time they tried roll onto thier back. Something about lying on your back while you sleep has been proven to close the airway. Keep this in mind. I hope it helps a bunch of proactive people to save some money and time off work in the near future because often simple solutions are the best but they aren’t sold anywhere!!! Sleep apnea does kill a lot of people and when your a driver it could kill someone else.
Thanks for tip Doctor … appreciate it.
Does anyone know what is going to be the ruling on truckers who have sleep apnea? What should we suspect going to happen to our careers as a professional driver? I have sleep apnea and it stated on my medical long form, but I do use a cpap machine every night am I going to have to figure out a new profession and leave one I’ve had for 25 yrs. If anyone has this info. please send me an email. Thanks. Matt
Hi Matt: We are planning a show right now with the FMCSA, tentatively set for March 18th, 2010 … I will be asking the FMCSA officials about this, and you can call in and voice your concerns as well. Stay on top of when the show will be by checking back at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/truthabouttrucking
Again, March 18th is the tentative date ….
Matt, If you use a cpap machine and it is controlling your apnea episodes you are way ahead of the game. That is similar to someone with high blood pressure that is stable and properly treated with medication. I think the biggest headaches are going to come to those who have a problem and don’t know where to go to get help for it in a timely and affordable fashion. If I were you I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it!! You are doing exactly what you should.