The Perfect Valentine’s Gift: Heart Health
The perfect gift this Valentine’s Day is the gift of heart health. Along with Valentine’s Day, February marks American Heart Month—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 number one killer of women and men in the United States. It is also a leading cause of disability, preventing many Americans from working and enjoying family activities. CVD costs the United States over $300 billion each year, including healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity.
Recognizing a Stroke
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness can have devastating consequences. A stroke victim may
suffer severe brain damage when those nearby fail to recognize the warning signs.
Doctors say a bystander can help identify a stroke by asking three simple questions using FAST:
S – Ask the individual to smile.
T – Ask the person to talk and speak a simple sentence coherently (for example: “It is sunny out today.”)
R – Ask them to raise both arms.
If the person has trouble with any one of these tasks, call your emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New sign of a stroke: Ask the person to stick out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked or goes to one side, this may also indicate a stroke.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Certification & Hypertension (FMCSA)
Question: What is the effect on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver certification based on FMCSA hypertension stages?
Guidance:
CFR 391.41(b)(6) states that a driver diagnosed with hypertension and under treatment should have at least an annual certification.
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A CMV driver with blood pressure below 140/90 may be certified for two years.
First-time elevated blood pressure:
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Stage 1: BP 140–159 / 90–99
Certification period: 1 year -
Stage 2: BP 160–179 / 100–109
Certification period: 3 months (one-time certification)
If BP is reduced to below 140/90 within three months, the driver may receive 1-year certification. -
Stage 3: BP greater than 180/110
Disqualified
Once BP is reduced below 140/90, the driver may be certified at 6-month intervals.
CDL Requirements
Question: Do I need a CDL to operate that truck?
Answer: The regulations are found in FMCSA CFR 383.3.
§383.3 Applicability
These rules apply to every person operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate, foreign, or intrastate commerce, all employers of such persons, and all states.
A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property that:
a) Has a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, including a towed unit over 10,000 pounds; or
b) Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more; or
c) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
d) Is of any size and used to transport hazardous materials.
Frequently Asked CDL Questions (FMCSA)
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May a person operate a CMV wholly on private property not open to public travel without a CDL?
Answer: Yes. -
Do mechanics, salespeople, shop help, or occasional drivers need a CDL when test-driving a CMV?
Answer: Yes, if operating on a public street, road, or highway. -
If I move, how long do I have to reissue my CDL in my new state?
Answer: 30 days. -
Is a CDL required to drive an empty school bus for testing or transport?
Answer: Yes, if the bus is designed to transport 16 or more passengers or has a GVWR exceeding 26,000 pounds.
A passenger endorsement is not required if the bus is empty. -
Example: A driver operates a tractor with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds and tows a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds (GCWR 36,000 pounds), with no hazardous materials or passengers.
Is it a CMV and is a CDL required?
Answer: No to both. Although the GCWR is 36,000 pounds, the vehicle does not meet the CMV definition under §383.5, and a CDL is not federally required.
DOT Oral Fluid Collection Guidelines
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released guidelines for collecting oral fluid samples as part of its drug-testing program for transportation workers, including CDL drivers. However, this has not yet been implemented due to the lack of certified testing laboratories.
A final rule issued on May 2, 2023, allows motor carriers to use oral fluid testing instead of urine testing for DOT drug tests. However, the rule will not take effect until the Department of Health and Human Services certifies at least two laboratories to conduct oral fluid testing.
Under this rule, individuals acting as oral fluid collectors must be knowledgeable about the current DOT Oral Fluid Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines.
These new guidelines provide instructions for standard collection procedures and address common issues that may arise during oral fluid collection.
