Are you Driving with "Tunnel Vision" This Winter - Idealease Safety Bulletin
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In this issue:
- February Is Heart Month: Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
- Recognizing a Stroke
- Safely getting in or out of a Commercial Motor Vehicle
- FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Driver Vision Standards
- New FMCSA Regulation Starts February 7th!
TUNNEL VISION
- Occurs when ya driver only scrapes or clears off a small section of the windshield allowing just enough space to see through a small hole as they drive.
- Increases the risk of collision
- It is important to remind your drivers, as part of their pre-trip inspection, to always make sure the windshield, side windows, and mirrors are clear of any snow, ice or fog before starting their route or trip.
- Another important reminder is that if heavy snow is forecasted, it is recommended to pull units away from docks or terminals so snow from the building or roof does not accumulate on the top of the trailer or truck.
FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH: ARE YOU AT RISK FOR HEART DISEASE?
In honor of American Heart Month, it's a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) - including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, is the #1 killer of women and men in the US and the leading cause of disability.
Over $300 Billion is spent each year in the US for cardiovascular health care services, medication and lost productivity.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE:
STR- Smile, Talk, Raise! Remembering these 3 things can save a life!
You can recognize a stroke by asking 3 simple questions:
- Ask the individual to SMILE (S)
- Ask the person to TALK (T) - Speak a simple sentence coherently
- Ask them to RAISE (R) both arms!
IF the individual has trouble with ANY ONE of the above questions, call 911 immediately!
Another sign of a stroke is a 'crooked'' tongue. If you ask a person to stick out their tongue and it goes to one side or the other, it signifies a stroke.
Visit https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm for more information on stroke symptoms
SAFELY GETTING OUT OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE
Remind drivers of the 3 point rule, especially during winter months! Simply put, 3 out of 4 of your contact points (hands and feet) should be secured to prevent yourself from slipping or falling. Always maintain 3 points of contact!
FMCSA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON DRIVER VISION STANDARDS
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a final rule to permit individuals who do not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the existing distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard or both, to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce under specified conditions. 87 Fed. Reg. 3390 (January 21, 2022).
Currently, such individuals are prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they obtain an exemption from FMCSA. Effective March 22, 2022, the new alternative vision standard replaces the current vision exemption program as the basis for determining the physical qualification of these individuals.
Before an individual may be medically certified under the alternative vision standard, the individual must have a vision evaluation conducted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The ophthalmologist or optometrist records the findings of the visual evaluation and provides specific medical opinions on the new Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871. Then, a Medical Examiner performs a physical qualification examination and determines whether the individual meets the alternative vision standard, as well as FMCSA’s other physical qualification standards. If the ME determines the individual meets the physical qualification standards, the ME may issue a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA–5876, for a maximum of 12 months.
The ME must consider the information in the Vision Evaluation Report and use independent medical judgment to apply four standards. To be physically qualified, the individual must: (1) have, in the better eye, distant visual acuity of at least 20/ 40 (Snellen), with or without corrective lenses, and field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian; (2) be able to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber; (3) have a stable vision deficiency; and (4) have had sufficient time pass since the vision deficiency became stable to adapt to and compensate for the change in vision.
NEW FMCSA REGULATION - ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING RULE STARTS 2/7/22!
Read more in past safety bulletins
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Training Provider Registry Website: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/
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*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.