Diabetes also may affect the function of nerves that control eyesight, causing blurred vision. UTI (is her tendency to get UTIs related to her diabetes? …
LESSON PLAN
2008-09 School Bus Drivers Inservice
TITLE OF LESSON: DIABETES-FACTS, HISTORY
the FUTURE
Objectives of Lesson: At the end of this lesson, the student will be able
to:
1 Name two ways to reduce the risk of diabetes
2 Name two requirements in the new Washington State Authorized School
Bus Driver Diabetes Exemption Program
Equipment for Lesson: none required
Introduction:
Diabetes is a condition we are seeing more frequently in our professional
and personal lives Diabetes is considered epidemic in the United States
We will all benefit from having facts on this topic so that we can have a
better understanding of our fellow bus driver and keep watch on ourselves
as well as family and loved ones
Our presentation will focus on
Facts surrounding diabetes and driving
A brief history on commercial drivers license requirements for
individuals with diabetes
Information regarding a new Washington State Authorized School Bus
Driver Diabetes Exemption Program
Presentation:
Diabetes and Driving:
Over the last 20 years, the understanding
of diabetes has grown immensely
along with an increased ability to predict and control its effects
Chapter 392-144 Washington Administrative Code WAC has been revised to
deal with an individual who is a diabetic being treated with insulin
School bus drivers, who have diabetes requiring treatment with insulin, may
continue to maintain a school bus driver authorization If a driver
follows its doctors recommendations and regularly monitors their blood
sugar level, they are able to drive a school bus without any risk to the
safety of the students in their care
Facts about Diabetes:
Diabetes is a disease in which:
The body does not produce or properly use insulin
Obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role
208 million or 7 of the population in the USA is afflicted
Every 21 seconds a new case of diabetes is diagnosed
146 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, and
62 million people are unaware that they have the disease
A common perception is that a diabetic can slip into a coma if their blood
sugar is too low This condition is called hypoglycemia, which can be
monitored and successfully managed In the past, the phrase insulin
dependent
diabetic was not uncommon usage Today, the preferred and more
accurate usage is diabetic treated with insulin
The American Diabetes Association defines the major types of diabetes as
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes, and
Pre-diabetes
We will give you a handout at the end of this presentation, which will
provide information about the types, causes, and symptoms of diabetes It
is important to remember that people with diabetes can live long, healthy,
and happy lives It is also important to remember that maintaining
appropriate weight and regular exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes
Now, lets move on
Commercial Drivers Licenses and Diabetes-Past History:
A quick look at history will show us how the federal government has
responded to commercial drivers with diabetes These are just some of the
most recent changes:
1998 United States Congress passed legislation requiring the US DOT
to re-evaluate its blanket restriction on commercial driving by
people with diabetes who are treated with insulin
2003 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA announced a
diabetes exemption program which:
Provided for individual assessment, and
Contained a number of provisions to ensure safety
Very few individuals were eligible to apply for a CDL because they
had to have a 3-year driving history in interstate commerce to
qualify
2005 The FMCSA 3-year rule was eliminated This change had far-reaching
effects in many different kinds of employment that involve driving
2008 The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pupil
Transportation, has initiated a diabetes exemption program for
school bus drivers
This program allows a school bus driver who is diabetic being
treated with insulin to maintain or acquire a school bus driver
authorization
Overview of the New Diabetes Exemption Program:
The School Bus Driver Diabetes Exemption Program is a new and effective way
for drivers to maintain a school bus driver authorization Some of the
requirements of the program include:
A specific, detailed examination by a licensed physician
Self-testing every six months to confirm the history of blood sugar
levels
An annual vision exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
Testing blood sugar levels within one hour of going on duty and
approximately every four hours during duty hours
Maintaining a log of blood sugar test results for the last six
months
Participating in a diabetes education program at least every three
years
If a driver is diagnosed with diabetes, they may not require treatment with
insulin As their medical condition changes, they may need to have insulin
to assist their body with control of blood sugar levels
If a driver starts insulin treatment, there is a waiting period to
establish stable control
a An individual diagnosed with diabetes previously treated with
oral medication and now requiring insulin is required to have
at least a one-month period on insulin to establish stable
control
b An individual newly diagnosed with diabetes and must start
insulin, is required to have at least a two-month period on
insulin to establish stable control
Trainer Note: Check with your districts administration regarding
allowances for sick leave or other leave of absence during the waiting
period required in this
program Questions should be answered according to
district policy and procedure Some options could include accrued sick
leave, light duty or shared leave
Trainer Note: At this point, the regional transportation coordinator will
provide an update to Driver Trainer Instructors on the next three items
Current status on the Diabetes Exemption Program
Effective date of related language in WAC 392-144-020 9 located at
http://appslegwagov/WAC/defaultaspx?cite392-144-020 is
April 15, 2008
Instructions on how to access the OSPI documents for the Diabetes
Exemption Program and the web location for Form SPI 1643 at
http://wwwk12waus/transportation/formsaspx
Additional requirements for school bus drivers who are diabetic being
treated with insulin:
The new diabetes exemption program allows you to have a school bus driver
authorization In addition, the Department of Licensing DOL has
requirements for your CDL It is highly recommended that you obtain all
required DOL forms before you begin your medical visits
To comply with commercial drivers license requirements, the school bus
driver will also have to do one of the following:
For driving ONLY within
Washington State:
1 Have a physician complete the one page Commercial Driver License
Intrastate Medical Waiver Application from DOL Form-DLE-520-066
R/2/08W
2 Have DOL reflect the approved Intrastate Medical Waiver on the CDL
For driving that includes trips ACROSS state lines:
1 Apply for and be approved in the Federal Diabetes Exemption Program,
which is processed by FMCSA Expect a six month processing time
period when dealing with the FMCSA program While OSPI will accept
the FMCSA requirements as meeting the WAC criteria, FMCSA will not
accept the OSPI program as meeting their requirements
2 Submit all appropriate documents including:
a US DOT Medical Examination Report
b US DOT Medical Examiners Certificate Endocrinologist Evaluation
Checklist
c Vision Evaluation Checklist, and
d Copy of drivers license and motor vehicle record
Comment: Most drivers will likely find it to be too much hassle to deal
with the federal program Thats fine, as long as they understand their
CDL is only good in Washington State
Summary:
School bus drivers with diabetes requiring treatment with insulin are now
allowed
to drive school buses in the state of Washington as long as they
meet stringent criteria Today we discussed several facts regarding
diabetes, a condition that we are seeing more often in our professional and
personal lives We have presented some information for your understanding
such as:
For the past 10 years, commercial driver license requirements have
changed to make more allowances for drivers with diabetes
Diabetes can be successfully managed
Washington State authorized school bus drivers meeting certain
criteria will be able to apply for an exemption to start or maintain a
career in school bus driving
As always, the number one rule in school bus transportation is safety As
we enter a time when the laws change, the door has opened for drivers who
are diabetic being treated with insulin The dedication of these drivers
who show diligence in healthy lifestyle habits, self- monitoring, and in
meeting strict testing criteria is to be commended Knowing the facts
helps in our understanding of others and enables us to take care of
ourselves and those close to us
Evaluation:
Questions:
1 Name two ways to reduce the risk of diabetes
2
Name two criteria an individual with diabetes treated with insulin
will need to meet in order to hold a school bus driver authorization
in the state of Washington
Answers:
1 Diet and exercise
2 There are a number of criteria required for those treated with insulin
to include:
An examination by a licensed physician
Testing every six months to confirm the history of blood sugar
levels
An annual vision exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
Test blood sugar levels within one hour of going on duty and
approximately every four hours during duty hours
Maintain a log of blood sugar test results for the last six months
Participate in a diabetes education program at least every three
years
Handout: H-1
As promised earlier, we are providing a handout H-1 This is an overview
of diabetes which will give you more information on the types, causes, and
symptoms of diabetes
Source:k12.wa.us
