California rest break rules set aside for hazmat

Federal administration grants petition filed by the National Tank Truck Carriers Association.
   The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Thursday granted a petition pre-empting California’s meal and rest break requirements for operators of motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
   The petition was filed by the National Tank Truck Carriers Association.
   “The agency finds that the California meal and rest break requirements create an unnecessary delay in the transportation of hazardous materials,” PHMSA said. In addition, California’s rules create compliance incompatibilities with respect to operators carrying explosive materials because it is not possible to simultaneously comply with the off-duty requirement of the California rule and federal safety requirements.” 
   PHMSA said California meal and rest break rules also are pre-empted for “motor carriers with security plans requiring constant driver attendance for hazardous materials cargo.”
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