OFTC - FY13 Handbook A Unit of the Technical College ... - OFTC.edu

- 26 - OFTC - FY13 Handbook
conditions must be met:
• Applicants must successfully pass a NIDA 5 drug screen.
• Applicants must pass the Department of Transportation
(DOT) physical examination.
Transportation Department
Disqualifying Conditions
1. Loss of use of extremity. Loss of use of a foot, leg or arm,
subject to a Skill Performance Evaluation of ability to safety
control and operate a commercial motor vehicle even with a
prosthetic limb.
2. Diabetes. Medical history of clinical diagnosis of diabetes
currently requiring insulin. Diabetics whose condition is
controlled with oral medication and diet may qualify.
3. Cardiovascular. Current clinical diagnosis of myocardial
infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis,
or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be
accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive
cardiac failure. Coronary artery bypasses & pacemakers are
not disqualifying, but Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
(ICD) are disqualifying due to risk of syncope.
4. Respiratory. Established medical history or clinical diagnosis
of a respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with the
ability to control and drive a commercial motor vehicle
safely. Examples of disqualifying respiratory conditions
are emphysema, chronic asthma, carcinoma, tuberculosis,
chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea.
5. Hypertension. Any detection of hypertension requires
frequent rechecks. A blood pressure of 180 (systolic) and
110 (diastolic) or higher is considered Stage 3, at high risk
for an acute event such as a stroke. The driver with Stage
3 hypertension may not be qualified, even temporarily, until
reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well
tolerated, and thereafter rechecked every six months.
6. Other physical limitations. Clinical diagnosis of rheumatic,
arthritic, orthopedic or vascular disease which interferes
with ability to control and operate a motor vehicle. This
would include, for example, known to have acute episodes
of transient muscle weakness, poor muscular coordination
(ataxia), abnormal sensations (paresthesia), decreased
muscle tone (hypotonia), visual disturbances and pain
which may be suddenly incapacitating. Medical examiners
must evaluate the severity and the likelihood of impairment
affecting safe operation.
7. Epilepsy. Established medical history or clinical diagnosis
of epilepsy or other condition known to cause loss of
consciousness. Single episodes of non-epileptic seizure or
loss of consciousness are evaluated regarding likelihood
of recurrence, with a six month waiting period highly
recommended. Drivers with a history of epilepsy/seizures off
antiseizure medication and seizure-free for 10 years may be
qualified to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Interstate
drivers with a history of a single unprovoked seizure may be
qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce if seizurefree
and off antiseizure medication for a 5-year period or
more.
8. Psychiatric. Mental, nervous or functional disease or
psychiatric disorder. This is often a subjective evaluation and
easily overlooked by medical examiners.
9. Vision. Must have corrected vision of at least 20/40 in both
eyes. One who is blind in one eye cannot qualify.
10. Hearing. Must be able to perceive a forced whispered voice
in the better ear at not less than five feet with or without
the use of a hearing aid. If tested by use of an audiometric
device, must have an average hearing loss in the better ear
greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz
with or without a hearing aid.
11. Uses a Schedule I drug or other narcotic, with a narrow
exception for prescribed medications. Exception: A driver
may use such a substance or drug, if the substance or drug
is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who: Is
familiar with the driver’s medical history and assigned duties;
and has advised the driver that the prescribed substance
or drug will not adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely
operate a commercial motor vehicle.
12. Current diagnosis of alcoholism.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s Commercial Truck
Driving Program is prepared to provide reasonable
accommodations to accepted students who have documented
disabilities. Students with disabilities who wish to request
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act
must follow the College’s procedures outlined in the Student
Affairs section of the catalog prior to enrollment in program
courses.
Transportation Division - Substance Abuse
Procedures
Overview
Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s Transportation programs are
committed to providing a safe environment and fostering the wellbeing
and health of its students and employees. For purposes
of this policy, the programs will be referred to as Commercial
Truck Driving (CTD). That commitment is jeopardized when any
student of the college illegally uses drugs, comes to school under
the influence, possesses, manufactures, distributes or sells drugs
or abuses alcohol while enrolled at Oconee Fall Line Technical
College, hereinafter referred to as OFTC. In accordance with
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Part 382, the following
policy has been established.
It is our policy to (1) assure that students are not impaired in
their ability to perform assigned duties in a safe, productive, and
healthy manner; (2) create a learning environment free from the