Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/05/31/2013-12907/hours-of-service-of-drivers-us-department-of-energy-doe-application-for-exemption
Timestamp: 2020-01-17 18:54:53
Document Index: 433385212

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009395', '§\u2009395', '§\u2009395', '§\u2009397', '§\u2009395', '§\u2009395', '§\u2009381']

Federal Register :: Hours of Service of Drivers: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); Application for Exemption
Hours of Service of Drivers: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); Application for Exemption
This exemption is effective from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015.
78 FR 32700
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-12907 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-12907
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 32700
FMCSA announces its decision to grant the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) an exemption from the minimum 30-minute rest break provision of the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers. The exemption would enable DOE's contract motor carriers and their employee-drivers engaged in the transportation of security-sensitive radioactive materials to be treated similarly to drivers of shipments of explosives. The exempted drivers would be allowed to use 30 minutes or more of “attendance time” to meet the HOS rest break requirements providing they do not perform any other work during the break.
Certain motor carriers under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) transport security-sensitive radioactive materials. DOE notes that the term includes transuranic waste; spent nuclear fuel; radioactive sources classified as category 1 and 2 materials by the International Atomic Energy Agency, including “Highway route controlled quantities,” as defined in 49 CFR 173.403; or known radionuclides in forms listed as RAM-QC by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
DOE requests a limited exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulation pertaining to rest breaks [49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii)], to allow contract driver-employees transporting security-sensitive radioactive materials to be treated the same as drivers transporting explosives, as provided in § 395.1(q). Section 395.1(q) states that operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives subject to the requirement for a minimum 30-minute rest break in § 395.3(a)(3)(ii) may use 30 minutes or more of “attendance time” to meet the requirement for a rest break. Compliance with § 395.3(a)(3) is required by July 1, 2013.
DOE contends that shipments of security-sensitive radioactive materials require a team of two drivers and the use of a sleeper berth to minimize risk and expedite delivery in a safe and secure manner. DOE asserts that granting the exemption would allow team drivers to manage their en route rest periods efficiently and also perform mandated shipment security surveillance, resulting in a safe and secure driving performance during a long distance trip.
DOE anticipates no safety impacts from this exemption and notes that in the preamble to the FMCSA final rule on the “Hours of Service of Drivers,” dated December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81134), the Agency addressed concerns from commenters regarding rest breaks for carriers of hazardous materials. Section 395.1(q) allows drivers who are required by § 397.5 to attend a motor vehicle transporting certain types of explosives but perform no other work, to log at least a half-hour of their attendance time toward the break. The Agency cited a recent study showing that on-duty breaks reduce the risk of crashes after the break (76 FR 81154).
DOE believes that its contract employee drivers should be allowed to follow the requirements in § 395.1(q) when transporting shipments of security-sensitive radioactive materials. DOE believes that shipments made under the requested exemption would achieve a level of safety and security that is at least equivalent to that which would be obtained by following the normal break requirement in § 395.3(a)(3)(ii).
DOE estimates that 30 power units and 53 drivers would currently be eligible for the exemption, if granted. The proposed exemption would be effective from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, the maximum period allowed by § 381.300. A copy of DOE's exemption application is available for review in the docket for this notice.
On January 13, 2013, FMCSA published notice of this application, and asked for public comment (78 FR 2711). Three comments were submitted. One individual opposed the exemption without stating a reason. Another individual also opposed the exemption, stating that if truck drivers who are not working for a Federal agency must observe the rule, then those who are working for a Federal agency should also be required to observe it. The Start Printed Page 32701Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) also commented. Its members include representatives of Federal, State and local governments, as well as representatives of private industry. CVSA commented briefly that it did not oppose or support the exemption. Comments are available for review in the docket for this notice.
The DOE did not base its request for an exemption on its status as a Federal agency. Rather, it provided the same justification for the request that would be required of any non-governmental agency.
The FMCSA has evaluated DOE's application for exemption and the public comments. The Agency believes that DOE will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption [49 CFR 381.305(a)].
This exemption from the requirements of 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii) is granted for the period from 12:01 a.m., July 1, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2015.
c. Driver's name and driver's license number and State of issuance
[FR Doc. 2013-12907 Filed 5-30-13; 8:45 am]