The American Concrete Pumpers Association is asking FMCSA to allow concrete pump operators who utilize the short-haul exemption to be able to extend their day from 12 hours to 14 hours.A group representing concrete pump operators is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow its drivers operating under the short-haul logging exemption to be able to return to their work-reporting location after 14 hours rather than 12 hours as the exemption allows.
In a Federal Register notice to be published Thursday, June 21, the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) says its request, if granted, would apply industry-wide to all concrete pump operators, concrete pumping companies and drivers who operate concrete pumps. ACPA represents more than 600 companies employing more than 7,000 workers across the U.S.
Specifically, ACPA asks FMCSA to treat concrete pump operators the same as drivers operating ready-mixed concrete trucks, who can use the short-haul exemption but return to their work-reporting locations within 14 hours rather than 12 hours as the exemption requires. The group estimates that only approximately 25 percent of concrete pump operator’s days are spent driving, and they usually only drive about 25 miles.
The group says, like ready-mixed concrete trucks, concrete pumps work with perishable products delivered on a just-in-time basis. ACPA adds that granting the waiver “would harmonize the hours-of-service rules for drivers of concrete pumps with the rules for drivers of the vehicles that supply the concrete.”
FMCSA is seeking comment on the request, which can be made for 30 days beginning Thursday, June 21, at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0175.
Last year, ACPA received an exemption from the required 30-minute break requirement that allows concrete pump operators to use on-duty attendance time toward their break.
