Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 64124-64125 [E9-29114]

Download as PDF 64124 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 233 / Monday, December 7, 2009 / Notices evaluation method changes such as written vs. observation, and wholesale changes made to OQ plan. Miscellaneous Clarifications erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Finally, in order to clarify the requirements of 49 CFR 192.605(a) and 195.402(a) as they apply to OQ and written OQ program reviews, the following information is provided: 1. The OQ process and procedures are an important part of an operator’s manual of written procedures for conducting normal operations and maintenance activities and handling abnormal operations and emergencies (Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan). a. Operators’ review of their OQ Plan in accordance with §§ 192.605(a) and 195.402(a) should be conducted in connection with their reviews of their O&M Plans every 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. b. Operators’ ‘‘periodic review of work’’ being done in accordance with §§ 192.605(b)(8) and 195.402(c)(13), should include evaluation of OQ procedure effectiveness to identify where corrective actions are needed to address deficiencies. Examples of issues that need to be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of an OQ Program: • Adequacy of training for specific covered task(s), • Adequacy of evaluation(s) to determine if individual has required knowledge, skills, and abilities, • Adequacy of individual to recognize AOC(s), and • Adequacy of individual to take appropriate action after AOC. 2. Operators should ensure the record it maintains of its annual O&M review, as required by §§ 192.605(a) and 195.402(a), specifically notes that the OQ Plan was included in the review. The record should include the name of reviewer and date(s) of review. Alternatively, the operator’s review procedures may clearly indicate which procedures are to be evaluated during the annual review. 3. PHMSA will inspect annual review records to assure OQ Plans are being evaluated and may take compliance action where non-compliance is found. Issued in Washington, DC on November 25, 2009. Byron Coy, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. E9–29073 Filed 12–4–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:05 Dec 04, 2009 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–1999–5578; FMCSA– 1999–6480; FMCSA–2001–11426; FMCSA– 2001–10578; FMCSA–2002–12844; FMCSA– 2003–15268; FMCSA–2003–15892; FMCSA– 2005–21711; FMCSA–2005–22194; FMCSA– 2007–27897] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments. SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 27 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. DATES: This decision is effective December 27, 2009. Comments must be received on or before January 6, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA– 1999–5578; FMCSA–1999–6480; FMCSA–2001–11426; FMCSA–2001– 10578; FMCSA–2002–12844; FMCSA– 2003–15268; FMCSA–2003–15892; FMCSA–2005–21711; FMCSA–2005– 22194; FMCSA–2007–27897, using any of the following methods. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476). This information is also available at https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical Programs, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may renew an exemption from the vision requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a two-year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The procedures for requesting an exemption (including renewals) are set out in 49 CFR part 381. Exemption Decision This notice addresses 27 individuals who have requested a renewal of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these 27 applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are: E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 233 / Monday, December 7, 2009 / Notices erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Grady L. Black, Jr., Anthony Brandano, Stanley E. Elliott, Elmer E. Gockley, Glenn T. Hehner, Wayne H. Holt, Edward E. Hooker, Vladimir M. Kats, Alfred Keehn, Martin D. Keough, Randall B. Laminack, Norman R. Lamy, Robert W. Lantis, James A. Lenhart, Jerry J. Lord, Raymond P. Madron, Ronald S. Mallory, Eldon Miles, Jack E. Potts, Jr., Neal A. Richard, John E. Rogstad, Robert E. Sanders, Steven R. Smith, Robert L. Thies, Rene R. Trachsel, Kendle F. Waggle, Jr., DeWayne Washington. These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: (1) That each individual has a physical examination every year (a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical examiner who attests that the individual is otherwise physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual provides a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) that each individual provides a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file and retain a copy of the certification on his/her person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. Each exemption will be valid for two years unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. Basis for Renewing Exemptions Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:05 Dec 04, 2009 Jkt 220001 31315, each of the 27 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 27027; 64 FR 51568; 66 FR 48504; 68 FR 54775; 70 FR 53412; 72 FR 222; 66 FR 63289; 68 FR 64944; 70 FR 71993; 64 FR 68195; 65 FR 20251; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 19798; 69 FR 19611; 66 FR 53826; 66 FR 66966; 68 FR 69434; 70 FR 74102; 67 FR 68719; 68 FR 2629; 70 FR 7545; 68 FR 37197; 68 FR 48989; 70 FR 42615; 72 FR 64273; 68 FR 52811; 68 FR 61860; 70 FR 61165; 72 FR 58359; 70 FR 48797; 70 FR 61493; 70 FR 57353; 70 FR 72689; 72 FR 39885; 72 FR 52419). Each of these 27 applicants has requested renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption standards. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver’s ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. Request for Comments FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a particular driver’s safety record and determine if the continuation of the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit comments by January 6, 2010. FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition announcing its decision to exempt these 27 individuals from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an exemption to each of these individuals was based on the merits of each case and only after careful consideration of the comments received to its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in detail the qualifications, experience, PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64125 and medical condition of each applicant for an exemption from the vision requirements. That information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register publications. Interested parties or organizations possessing information that would otherwise show that any, or all of these drivers, are not currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver. Issued on: November 25, 2009. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. E9–29114 Filed 12–4–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request December 1, 2009. The Department of Treasury will submit the following public information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling the Treasury Bureau Clearance Officer listed. Comments regarding this information collection should be addressed to the OMB reviewer listed and to the Treasury PRA Department Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 11010, and 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 6, 2010 to be assured of consideration. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) OMB Number: 1545–1440. Type of Review: Extension. Title: INTL–64–93 (Final) Conduit Arrangements Regulations. Description: This document contains regulations relating to when the area director may recharacterize a financing arrangement as a conduit arrangement. Such recharacterization will affect the amount of withholding tax due on financing transactions that are part of the financing arrangement. These E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 233 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64124-64125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1999-5578; FMCSA-1999-6480; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-
2001-10578; FMCSA-2002-12844; FMCSA-2003-15268; FMCSA-2003-15892; 
FMCSA-2005-21711; FMCSA-2005-22194; FMCSA-2007-27897]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the 
vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 
27 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals 
from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not 
compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these 
exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent 
to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the 
exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

DATES: This decision is effective December 27, 2009. Comments must be 
received on or before January 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-1999-5578; FMCSA-1999-6480; 
FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2001-10578; FMCSA-2002-12844; FMCSA-2003-15268; 
FMCSA-2003-15892; FMCSA-2005-21711; FMCSA-2005-22194; FMCSA-2007-27897, 
using any of the following methods.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your 
comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard 
or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting 
comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476). This information is 
also available at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may renew an exemption 
from the vision requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to 
drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a two-year period if it 
finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is 
equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent 
such exemption.'' The procedures for requesting an exemption (including 
renewals) are set out in 49 CFR part 381.

Exemption Decision

    This notice addresses 27 individuals who have requested a renewal 
of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has 
evaluated these 27 applications for renewal on their merits and decided 
to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are:


[[Page 64125]]


Grady L. Black, Jr.,
Anthony Brandano,
Stanley E. Elliott,
Elmer E. Gockley,
Glenn T. Hehner,
Wayne H. Holt,
Edward E. Hooker,
Vladimir M. Kats,
Alfred Keehn,
Martin D. Keough,
Randall B. Laminack,
Norman R. Lamy,
Robert W. Lantis,
James A. Lenhart,
Jerry J. Lord,
Raymond P. Madron,
Ronald S. Mallory,
Eldon Miles,
Jack E. Potts, Jr.,
Neal A. Richard,
John E. Rogstad,
Robert E. Sanders,
Steven R. Smith,
Robert L. Thies,
Rene R. Trachsel,
Kendle F. Waggle, Jr.,
DeWayne Washington.

    These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) That each individual has a physical examination every year (a) by 
an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), and 
(b) by a medical examiner who attests that the individual is otherwise 
physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual 
provides a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the 
medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) 
that each individual provides a copy of the annual medical 
certification to the employer for retention in the driver's 
qualification file and retain a copy of the certification on his/her 
person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, 
State, or local enforcement official. Each exemption will be valid for 
two years unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be 
rescinded if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower 
level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) 
continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals 
and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315.

Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no 
longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon 
application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 27 applicants has satisfied the 
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision 
requirements (64 FR 27027; 64 FR 51568; 66 FR 48504; 68 FR 54775; 70 FR 
53412; 72 FR 222; 66 FR 63289; 68 FR 64944; 70 FR 71993; 64 FR 68195; 
65 FR 20251; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 19798; 69 FR 19611; 66 FR 53826; 66 FR 
66966; 68 FR 69434; 70 FR 74102; 67 FR 68719; 68 FR 2629; 70 FR 7545; 
68 FR 37197; 68 FR 48989; 70 FR 42615; 72 FR 64273; 68 FR 52811; 68 FR 
61860; 70 FR 61165; 72 FR 58359; 70 FR 48797; 70 FR 61493; 70 FR 57353; 
70 FR 72689; 72 FR 39885; 72 FR 52419). Each of these 27 applicants has 
requested renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence showing 
that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard 
specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is 
stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety while driving 
with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two years 
indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption 
standards. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each 
driver's ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. 
Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each 
renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a 
level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption.

Request for Comments

    FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a 
particular driver's safety record and determine if the continuation of 
the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with 
specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit 
comments by January 6, 2010.
    FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially 
granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, 
subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated 
above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition 
announcing its decision to exempt these 27 individuals from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an 
exemption to each of these individuals was based on the merits of each 
case and only after careful consideration of the comments received to 
its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in 
detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each 
applicant for an exemption from the vision requirements. That 
information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register 
publications.
    Interested parties or organizations possessing information that 
would otherwise show that any, or all of these drivers, are not 
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately 
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted 
and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption 
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 
31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the 
exemption of a driver.

    Issued on: November 25, 2009.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9-29114 Filed 12-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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