North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP)

What is the NAFMP?

The North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP) is a joint U.S.-Canada program designed to enable commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transport companies to manage driver fatigue proactively and in ways that are complimentary to HOS compliance. The NAFMP is available to all U.S. and Canadian motor carriers. It addresses driver fatigue with a comprehensive approach which includes:

Developing a corporate culture that fosters driver health and alertness.
Fatigue education for drivers, drivers’ families, carrier executives and managers, dispatchers, and shippers/receivers.
Information on sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea) screening and treatment.
More enlightened driver and trip scheduling.
Data-driven company fatigue risk management practices.

The Need for Fatigue Management

A top Canadian transport safety official once described Hours-of-Service compliance as “Fatigue Management for Dummies.” HOS compliance is legally required and contributes positively to safety, but HOS compliance alone does not ensure driver alertness.In fact, the most important factors affecting driver alertness are not directly addressed by HOS rules. This includes sleep quantity, sleep quality, time-of-day, driver health and wellness, sleep disorders, medications, drowsiness countermeasures, and individual differences in fatigue susceptibility. Managing fatigue in commercial driving requires knowledge of these and related topics.

The Training Program

The centerpiece of the NAFMP is its newly developed training program. Ten training modules, totaling 15 hours of instruction, include training for motor carrier executives, managers, trainers, dispatchers, shippers and receivers, and, most importantly, drivers and their families. The NAFMP modules present the scientific principles of fatigue and alertness using plain language, visual aids, real-world examples, and frequent opportunities for interaction and feedback. Module quizzes and tests reinforce learning and objectively assess student knowledge. The table below lists the NAFMP training modules.

Each of the ten training modules is available via two training delivery modes: instructor-led PowerPoint presentation slides and online computer-based training. Companies may want to employ both training approaches, perhaps beginning with classroom presentations and then transitioning to the web-based option. Regardless of the training strategy, an FMP needs to be implemented within a dedicated management framework which includes a steering committee, corporate policy development, documentation, defined roles and responsibilities, effective communications, and program evaluation.

#	Module Topic	Audience	Duration
1	FMP Introduction & Overview	Execs & Managers	45 min
2	Safety Culture & Management Practices	Execs & Managers	1.5 hrs
3	Driver Education	Drivers	3 hrs
4	Family Education	Driver Families	45 min
5	Train-the-Trainer	Trainers & Managers	3.5 hrs
6	Fatigue & HOS Education for Shippers & Receivers	Customers	30 min
7	Sleep Disorders Management for Motor Carriers	Execs & Managers	1.5 hrs
8	Sleep Disorders for Drivers	Drivers	1.5 hrs
9	Driver Scheduling & Tools	Dispatchers & Managers	1 hr
10	Fatigue Monitoring & Management Technologies	Execs & Managers	1 hr

Consultant Services Provided

NAFMP support can be tailored to company needs. The first step is the development of a carrier NAFMP implementation plan. The program provides extensive guidance and materials, but detailed plans should be customized to each carrier. After management-level consultation and training, the program may progress to drivers and to other key audiences such as families and shippers/receivers. Safety for the Long Haul, Inc. will provide a testimonial letter of program participation and completion to enable carriers to showcase their safety achievement to employees, customers, and insurance providers. An FMP will help your drivers to become healthier and more alert, and it will reduce your costs and liability exposure. Contact Dr. Knipling to discuss how best your company can start and sustain a FMP.In addition to providing fatigue training, Dr. Knipling provides carrier management training and consultation on a variety of safety topics based on his book and other research.