New Drug and Alcohol Special Exemption Request Made of the FMCSA

Waste Management Asks for Drug and Alcohol Exemption from FMCSA

Waste Management Holdings, Inc. (WMH) is asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a special exemption. They want to be excused from certain driver rules and drug testing requirements. These rules are usually required when WMH moves drivers between their different branches, each with its own USDOT number. WMH says these rules are unnecessary and create extra work, especially since they already have a system that handles compliance.

About Waste Management

WMH is a company that has been in business for 50 years. They collect trash, recycle materials, and manage waste for millions of customers across the United States. They have thousands of drivers working under 83 different USDOT numbers. Even though the company is large, they use one central system, called the Employment Screening Program (ESP), to make sure all drivers meet safety and compliance rules.

What WMH Wants

WMH wants the FMCSA to excuse them from parts of two specific rules: 49 CFR part 391, which deals with driver qualifications, and 49 CFR part 382, which covers drug testing. Right now, every time WMH moves a driver from one branch to another, the driver has to go through the whole qualification process again. This process includes filling out new job forms, checking with old employers, running driving record checks, and possibly taking new drug tests. WMH says this takes too much time and is unnecessary because they already manage everything in their central system.

Why This Matters to WMH

WMH says that the current rules don’t fit their needs. The company often needs to move drivers quickly to respond to emergencies, like natural disasters or big events. They believe their central system already keeps track of everything needed to ensure safety. By removing the need to redo all the paperwork and checks, WMH thinks they can respond faster without putting safety at risk.

FMCSA’s Role and How You Can Comment

The FMCSA will review WMH’s request and decide if they can get the exemption. They will look at how this might affect safety and will also consider public comments. If the exemption is approved, the FMCSA will announce it and explain any conditions that come with it.

The FMCSA is accepting public comments on this request until [insert date 30 days after publication]. You can submit your comments online at www.regulations.gov, by mail, by hand delivery, or by fax. Be sure to include Docket Number FMCSA-2024-0200 with your submission.

The FMCSA also has instructions for how to submit confidential business information if needed. They encourage everyone to share their thoughts to help with the decision.

What This Could Mean for Trucking

If WMH’s request is approved, it could make things easier for other big companies that have similar setups. This decision might lead to changes in the rules for companies that need to move drivers between different branches.

For more information or to read WMH’s request, you can visit the FMCSA’s public docket location or go online at www.regulations.gov.