Fatigue Driving & Work Hours Policy

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office
P.O. Box 1828
IN REPLY REFER TO: Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-1828
1112 (950) P
January 27, 2009
EMS Transmission: January 27, 2009
Instruction Memorandum No. WY 2009-014
Expires: 9/30/2010
To: All Employees
From: State Director
Subject: Fatigue Driving and Work Hours Policy
Accident statistics for the BLM show that over the past 10 years more than half of the fatalities
within our organization have been caused by fatigue and/or distance driving.
The BLM Manual Handbook, 1112-2 limits driving time to 8 hours behind the wheel in a
16-hour duty day. The duty period includes rest and meal breaks. The handbook also requires
that employees have 8 hours of rest before a duty day which requires driving. Emergency
driving for fires is addressed in BLM Manual 9210.5. Driving limitations for heavy equipment
operators are covered by Department of Transportation in 49 CFR 395.
Wyoming BLM employees who must drive for more than 8 hours in one duty period for field
duty, to attend meetings, etc., must plan to remain overnight at their temporary duty location,
have provision for a relief driver, or obtain their supervisor’s authorization to exceed this limit.
Supervisors must be aware of authorizing overtime or compensatory time when solo distance
driving in involved. Effective risk management indicates that the costs associated with one
vehicle accidents would exceed the costs associated with an extra day of per diem or having two
drivers.
No employee will be permitted to work more than 16 hours in a 24-hour period to include the
maximum 8-hour driving restriction. This will also allow for the 8-hour rest requirement before
driving the next day. Any variance from this policy must be approved, in writing, by the
respective Field Manager or Deputy State Director. Employees and supervisors will be held in
compliance with this policy and failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
I am committed to ensuring the safety of each individual in this organization. To that end, it is
the responsibility of all of us to recognize the fatigue problem, watch for it (Attachment 1), and
rest when necessary.
As we improve awareness of the problems of fatigue and/or distance driving, I am convinced we
will reduce the risk to our employees.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Donald A. Simpson Pamela D. Hernandez
Wyoming State Director Wyoming Central Files
1 Attachment:
1 – “Wake Up Call” (1 p.)
Distribution
Director (700) Rm. 5628, MIB 1 (w/o atch)
CF 1 (w/atch)