SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

Viewing Comments and Documents

To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, “FMCSA-2007-28043” in the “Keyword” box and click “Search.” Next, click “Open Docket Folder” button and choose the document listed to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

II. Legal Basis

FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request.

The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments, and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reason for the grant or denial, and, if granted, the specific person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision or provisions from which exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 5 years), and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).

III. APA Application for Exemption

The HOS rule in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) prohibits the driver of a property-carrying CMV from driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. During the 2017 Independence Day period 51 APA members held such an exemption, effective during the period June 28 through July 8 each year through 2020. APA has requested additional exemptions for Artisan Pyrotechnics Inc., DOT# 1898096, Montana Display Fireworks, Inc., DOT# 1030231, and ZY Pyrotechnics, LLC dba Skyshooter Displays, Inc., DOT# 2149202, and the discontinuance of an exemption for Island Fireworks, DOT# 414583, increasing the total to 53. Like the other 50 member companies, the three new companies would be subject to all the terms and conditions of the multi-year APA exemption that terminates on July 8, 2020. Although this is less than the 5-year exemption period authorized by 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(2), FMCSA believes that the interests of the APA members and the Agency would best be served by harmonizing, as far as possible, the expiration dates of all such fireworks-related exemptions. On June 21, 2018, FMCSA granted waivers to these three APA members to allow them to participate in the 2018 Independence Day celebration.

The initial APA application for relief from the 14-hour rule was submitted in 2004; a copy is in the docket. That application fully describes the nature of the pyrotechnic operations of CMV drivers during a typical Independence Day period.

As stated in the 2004 request, the CMV drivers employed by APA member companies are trained pyro-technicians who hold commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) with hazardous materials (HM) endorsements. They transport fireworks and related equipment by CMVs on a very demanding schedule during a brief Independence Day period, often to remote locations. After they arrive, the drivers are responsible for set-up and staging of the fireworks shows.

The APA states that it is seeking an additional exemption for the three new member companies because compliance with the current 14-hour rule in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) would impose a substantial economic hardship on numerous cities, towns and municipalities, as well as its member companies. To meet the demand for fireworks without the exemption, APA states that its member companies would be required to hire a second driver for most trips. The APA advises that the result would be a substantial increase in the cost of the fireworks shows—beyond the means of many of its members' customers—and that many Americans would be denied this important component of the celebration of Independence Day.

On June 21, 2018, FMCSA granted waivers to APA on behalf of Artisan Pyrotechnics Inc., Montana Display Fireworks, Inc., and ZY Pyrotechnics, LLC dba Skyshooter Displays, Inc., to allow these carriers to participate in the 2018 Independence Day celebration. The waiver also allowed the Agency time to complete the exemption process.

IV. Method To Ensure an Equivalent or Greater Level of Safety

The APA believes that the exemption would not adversely affect the safety of the fireworks transportation provided by this motor carrier. According to APA, its member-companies have operated under this Independence Day exemption for the past 10 years without a reported motor carrier safety incident. Moreover, it asserts that, without the ( printed page 3535) extra time provided by the exemption, safety would decline because APA drivers would be unable to return to their home base after each show. They would be forced to park the CMVs carrying HM 1.1G, 1.3G and 1.4G products in areas less secure than the motor carrier's home base. As a condition of holding the exemption, each motor carrier will be required to notify FMCSA within 5 business days of any accident (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5) involving the operation of any of its CMVs while under this exemption. To date, FMCSA has received no accident notifications, nor is the Agency aware of any accidents reportable under terms of the prior APA exemption.

In its exemption request, APA asserts that the operational demands of this unique industry minimize the risks of CMV crashes. In the last few days before July 4, these drivers transport fireworks over relatively short routes from distribution points to the site of the fireworks display, and normally do so in the early morning when traffic is light. At the site, they spend considerable time installing, wiring, and safety-checking the fireworks displays, followed by several hours off duty in the late afternoon and early evening prior to the event. During this time, the drivers are able to rest and nap, thereby reducing or eliminating the fatigue accumulated during the day. Before beginning another duty day, these drivers must take 10 consecutive hours off duty, the same as other CMV drivers.

V. Public Comments

On June 8, 2018, FMCSA published notice of this application and requested public comments (83 FR 26742). The only comment submitted was not relevant to this notice.

VI. FMCSA Response

FMCSA has determined that granting an exemption to Artisan Pyrotechnics Inc., Montana Display Fireworks, Inc., and ZY Pyrotechnics, LLC dba Skyshooter Displays, Inc., will achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that compliance with the 14-hour rule would ensure. Prior to publishing the Federal Register notice announcing the receipt of APA's application to add these three carriers to the current list of carriers operating under the exemption, FMCSA ensured that each motor carrier possessed an active USDOT registration, minimum required levels of insurance, and was not subject to any “imminent hazard” or other out-of-service (OOS) orders. The Agency conducted a comprehensive investigation of the safety performance history on each of the motor carriers listed in the appendix table during the review process. As part of this process, FMCSA reviewed its Motor Carrier Management Information System safety records, including inspection and accident reports submitted to FMCSA by State agencies.

With regard to safety statistics, none of the carriers, including the 3 new carriers proposed for exemption, was under an imminent hazard or OOS order, had any alerts in the Safety Management System (SMS), or was under investigation by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. All had “satisfactory” safety ratings based on compliance reviews, and all had valid Hazardous Materials Safety Permits.

VII. Terms and Conditions of the Exemption

Period of the Exemption

The exemption from 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) is effective from June 28 through July 8, at 11:59 p.m. local time, each year through 2020 for the 53 carriers identified in this notice.

Terms and Conditions of the Exemption

The exemption from 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) will be limited to drivers employed by the 50 motor carriers already covered by the multi-year exemption, and drivers employed by the three additional carriers identified by an asterisk in the appendix table of this notice. Section 395.3(a)(2) prohibits a driver from driving a CMV after the 14th hour after coming on duty and does not permit off-duty periods to extend the 14-hour limit. Drivers covered by this exemption may exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour limit. This exemption is contingent on each driver driving no more than 11 hours in the 14-hour period after coming on duty, as extended by any off-duty or sleeper-berth time in accordance with this exception. The exemption is further contingent on each driver having a full 10 consecutive hours off duty following 14 hours on duty prior to beginning a new driving period. The carriers and drivers must comply with all other requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR parts 350-399) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR parts 105-180).

Preemption

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption. States may, but are not required to, adopt the same exemption with respect to operations in intrastate commerce.

FMCSA Notification

Exempt motor carriers are required to notify FMCSA within 5 business days of any accidents (as defined by 49 CFR 390.5) involving the operation of any of their CMVs while under this exemption. The notification must be by email to MCPSD@DOT.GOV and include the following information:

a. Name of the Exemption: “APA”

b. Date of the accident,

c. City or town, and State, in which the accident occurred, or which is closest to the scene of the accident,

d. Driver's name and driver's license State, number, and class,

e. Co-Driver's name and driver's license State, number, and class,

f. Vehicle company number and power unit license plate State and number,

g. Number of individuals suffering physical injury,

h. Number of fatalities,

i. The police-reported cause of the accident,

j. Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws, or motor carrier safety regulations, and

k. The total driving time and the total on-duty time of the CMV driver at the time of the accident.

In addition, if there are any injuries or fatalities, the carrier must forward the police accident report to MCPSD@DOT.GOV as soon as available.

Termination

The FMCSA does not believe the motor carriers and drivers covered by this exemption will experience any deterioration of their safety record. However, should this occur, FMCSA will take all steps necessary to protect the public interest, including revocation of the exemption. The FMCSA will immediately revoke the exemption for failure to comply with its terms and conditions. Exempt motor carriers and drivers would be subject to FMCSA monitoring while operating under this exemption.

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84 FR 3533