MANAGEMENT COUNCIL NEWS ATA Safety Council holds Roadside Inspections near Tuscaloosa
Feds extend exemptions for covid relief August 31 On Tuesday, May 25, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it is extending the Emergency Declaration set to expire on May 31, 2021, to August 31, 2021. This extension includes the same regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance for relief efforts related to COVID-19, as included in the earlier versions of the declaration. This declaration covers the transport of the following items only:
It was great to see so many ATA and ATA Comp Fund members show up at April’s live Roadside Inspections near Tuscaloosa. This free ATA member service is one of the most informative, hands-on safety programs we offer. Working alongside troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Commercial Vehicle Division, Alabama Dept. of Transportation inspectors, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration agents, the group performed 17, 1 and 2 Level inspections in two hours on April 15 with dozens of trucks passing through the portable weigh station. Incredibly, there were only two outof-service violations with equipment. ATA Vice President of Safety and Compliance Tim Frazier said, “We had a great day for our members to work alongside our troopers during the inspection process. Our officers provided excellent training and education as to how the inspections are conducted step by step. This allows our members to apply what they learned today in helping keep our equipment, drivers, and families safe.” ATA President Mark Colson added, “A safe trucking company is a profitable trucking company. Through programs like our Roadside Inspection, Alabama Trucking members and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are working together to make Alabama roads safer” Thanks to ATA Comp Fund, Blair Logistics, LB3, LLC, and Trantham Services, Inc. for providing lunch and refreshments. We’ll do it again in the fall! A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2021
1. Livestock and livestock feed; 2. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; 3. Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19; 4. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; and 5. Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores. The Agency says it intends to review the status of this and other emergency regulatory relief — including CDL, CLP, and medical card validity extensions — on July 1 and may take action to modify or terminate, if conditions warrant. The Agency says, “it is FMCSA’s intention to wind down the exemptions granted under this Emergency Declaration and related COVID-19 regulatory relief measures to the extent possible.” As with previous declarations, emergency regulatory relief is provided from parts 390 through 399 of the FMCSRs, including the hours-of-service regulations. Emergency relief does not include certain FMCSR’s related to the safe operation of CMVs, such as controlled substance and alcohol testing, financial responsibility requirements, CDL requirements, operation of a CMV while ill or fatigued, size and weight requirements, and additional FMCSR’s which are outlined in the declaration. Additionally, FMCSA also announced the extension of waivers related to CDL/CLP/Medical Card validity and Third Party CDL Skills Test Examiners. The agency encourages stakeholders to review the applicability, restrictions and limitations. The full text is available at FMCSA’s website fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19.
What CDL drivers should know about using CBD products Positive drug tests account for 81 percent of the total violations reported in the Clearinghouse since January 6, 2020. As of May 1, 2021, marijuana has been detected in more than half of all drug tests that have been filed in the Clearinghouse. It is important for all employees who perform safety-sensitive functions, including CDL drivers, to know that DOT requires testing for marijuana but not CBD. The labeling of many CBD products may
be misleading because the products could contain higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than what’s stated on the product label. DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation, 49 CFR Part 40, does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. CBD use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed marijuana positive result. Therefore, Medical Review Officers will verify a drug Continued on page 22 21
