Medical Review Board Public Meeting, 5558-5559 [2013-01510]

Download as PDF 5558 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices • Review of terms of reference • Status of DO–341A and DO–315C • DO–315C and DO–341A review Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Plenary Discussion • WG–1 DO–315C review • WG–2 DO–341A review Thursday, February 7, 2013 Plenary Discussion • WG–1 DO–315C review • WG–2 DO–341A review • Administrative items • Adjourn Attendance is open to the interested public but limited to space availability. With the approval of the chairman, members of the public may present oral statements at the meeting. Persons wishing to present statements or obtain information should contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Members of the public may present a written statement to the committee at any time. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2013. Richard F. Gonzalez Management Analyst, Business Operations Group, ANG–A12, NAS Business Solutions, NextGen Office. [FR Doc. 2013–01380 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2008–0362] Medical Review Board Public Meeting Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Medical Review Board (MRB) public meeting. AGENCY: FMCSA announces that the Medical Review Board (MRB) will meet on February 13, 2013. The MRB will review an evidence report about fatiguerelated research concerning bus and motorcoach drivers to identify relevant scientific and medical studies the Agency could rely upon in making any future decisions about the HOS requirements applicable to such drivers. The meeting is open to the public and there will be a public comment period at the end of the day. Times and Dates: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T.). The meeting will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Jan 24, 2013 Jkt 229001 in Salon BC on the main floor. The Hilton Alexandria Old Town is located across the street from the King Street Metro station. An agenda for the meeting will be made available in advance of the meeting at https://mrb.fmcsa.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Ward, R.N., Nurse Consultant, Medical Programs Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Angela Ward at (202) 366–4001 or at fmcsamedical@dot.gov by Tuesday, February 5, 2013. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background MRB The Medical Review Board (MRB) is comprised of five medical experts who serve staggered, 2-year terms. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced those currently serving on the MRB on November 2, 2010, and June 13, 2012. Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU), [Pub. L. 109–59, 119 Stat. 1144, Aug. 10, 2005] requires the Secretary of Transportation, with the advice of the MRB and the chief medical examiner, to establish, review, and revise ‘‘medical standards for operators of commercial motor vehicles that will ensure that the physical condition of operators of commercial motor vehicles is adequate to enable them to operate the vehicles safely.’’ The MRB operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as announced in the Federal Register (70 FR 57642, October 3, 2005). The MRB is charged initially with the review of all current FMCSA medical standards (49 CFR 391.41), as well as proposing new science-based standards and guidelines to ensure that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, are physically capable of doing so. II. Meeting Participation The entire meeting of the MRB is open to the public. Oral comments on the topic from the public will be heard during the last hour (3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.) of the meeting. Oral comments may be limited and will be accepted on PO 00000 Frm 00152 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 a first come, first serve basis as requestors register at the meeting. Should all public comments be exhausted prior to the end of the specified period, the comment period will close. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) on this topic by Tuesday, February 5, 2013. You may submit written comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA– 2008–0362 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, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20003–3302. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and FDMS Docket ID for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, 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. ET, 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 E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices (65 FR 19477). This information is also available at https://www.regulations.gov. Issued on: January 18, 2013. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator of Policy. [FR Doc. 2013–01510 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0348] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 26 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions are effective January 25, 2013. The exemptions expire on January 26, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64–224, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov and/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. Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received into any of DOT’s 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, or other entity). You may review DOT’s VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Jan 24, 2013 Jkt 229001 Privacy Act Statement for the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010 (75 FR 82132), or you may visit https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ pkg/FR–2010–12–29/pdf/2010– 32876.pdf. Background On November 26, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal diabetes exemption applications from 26 individuals and requested comments from the public (77 FR 70530). The public comment period closed on December 26, 2012, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 26 applicants and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3). Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants The Agency established the current requirement for diabetes in 1970 because several risk studies indicated that drivers with diabetes had a higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The diabetes rule provides that ‘‘A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control’’ (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)). FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the Agency’s July 2000 study entitled ‘‘A Report to Congress on the Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the Transportation Act for the 21st Century.’’ The report concluded that a safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to operate CMVs is feasible. The September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441), Federal Register notice in conjunction with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), Federal Register notice provides the current protocol for allowing such drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. These 26 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 24 years. These applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5559 recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years. In each case, an endocrinologist verified that the driver has demonstrated a willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her diabetes mellitus, received education related to diabetes management, and is on a stable insulin regimen. These drivers report no other disqualifying conditions, including diabetes-related complications. Each meets the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the November 26, 2012, Federal Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA considered medical reports about the applicants’ ITDM and vision, and reviewed the treating endocrinologists’ medical opinion related to the ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin. Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these applicants from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. Conditions and Requirements The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the applicants in the exemption document and they include the following: (1) That each individual submit a quarterly monitoring checklist completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each individual reports within 2 business days of occurrence, all episodes of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or inability to manage diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or any other adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not it is related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the medical E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5558-5559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01510]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2008-0362]


Medical Review Board Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of Medical Review Board (MRB) public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that the Medical Review Board (MRB) will meet 
on February 13, 2013. The MRB will review an evidence report about 
fatigue-related research concerning bus and motorcoach drivers to 
identify relevant scientific and medical studies the Agency could rely 
upon in making any future decisions about the HOS requirements 
applicable to such drivers. The meeting is open to the public and there 
will be a public comment period at the end of the day.
    Times and Dates: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 
13, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T.). The 
meeting will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King 
Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 in Salon BC on the main floor. The Hilton 
Alexandria Old Town is located across the street from the King Street 
Metro station.
    An agenda for the meeting will be made available in advance of the 
meeting at https://mrb.fmcsa.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Ward, R.N., Nurse Consultant, 
Medical Programs Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-4001, 
fmcsamedical@dot.gov.

Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Angela Ward at (202) 366-4001 or at fmcsamedical@dot.gov by Tuesday, 
February 5, 2013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

MRB

    The Medical Review Board (MRB) is comprised of five medical experts 
who serve staggered, 2-year terms. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation 
announced those currently serving on the MRB on November 2, 2010, and 
June 13, 2012. Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 
[Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, Aug. 10, 2005] requires the Secretary 
of Transportation, with the advice of the MRB and the chief medical 
examiner, to establish, review, and revise ``medical standards for 
operators of commercial motor vehicles that will ensure that the 
physical condition of operators of commercial motor vehicles is 
adequate to enable them to operate the vehicles safely.''
    The MRB operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) as announced in the Federal Register (70 FR 57642, October 
3, 2005). The MRB is charged initially with the review of all current 
FMCSA medical standards (49 CFR 391.41), as well as proposing new 
science-based standards and guidelines to ensure that drivers operating 
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce, as defined in 
49 CFR 390.5, are physically capable of doing so.

II. Meeting Participation

    The entire meeting of the MRB is open to the public. Oral comments 
on the topic from the public will be heard during the last hour (3:45 
p.m. to 4:45 p.m.) of the meeting. Oral comments may be limited and 
will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis as requestors 
register at the meeting. Should all public comments be exhausted prior 
to the end of the specified period, the comment period will close. 
Members of the public may submit written comments to the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) on this topic by Tuesday, February 5, 2013. 
You may submit written comments bearing the Federal Docket Management 
System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2008-0362 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, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20003-3302.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
ET., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and FDMS 
Docket ID for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, 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. ET, 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

[[Page 5559]]

(65 FR 19477). This information is also available at https://www.regulations.gov.

    Issued on: January 18, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-01510 Filed 1-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

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