Cleveland-Cliffs Steel, formerly known as ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a waiver to allow certain drivers to work up to 16 hours a day and return to work without a full 10 hours off-duty.
In its request for the waiver, Cliffs said the drivers who would operate under the exemption transport scrap metal on two trucks between the company’s production and shipping locations.
The waiver would be similar to one granted to the company in 2016 that allows its drivers transporting steel coils to work the same hours. Unlike the steel coil exemption, the company said, the scrap metal trucks would comply with the heavy hauler trailer definition, height of rear side marker lights restrictions, tire loading restrictions, and the coil securement requirements in the FMCSRs.
The drivers covered under the newly requested waiver would travel the same distances and routes as the steel coil drivers in the previously-granted waiver, the company added.
FMCSA is requesting public comment on Cliffs’ waiver request, which can be made here through Sept. 27.
[Related: Steel company’s on-site drivers receive exemption from 14-hour rule]
