DOT Approves Window Film Covering on Trucks

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, truck drivers have a higher incidence of skin cancer, than the average public, on their left arm and face.  That article pointed to driver-side UVA exposure as a likely contributor to the disease.

The Window Film Association (IWFA) has been lobbying the DOT and the FMCSA to change the current regulation on big rig’s window covering.

In an announcement on April 3, 2012, the IWFA announced that big rigs can now legally apply window film to the cab’s side windows to keep them safe from UVA rays, which have been directly linked to skin cancer.

“The health and safety of America’s truck drivers is of the utmost importance to American Trucking Associations,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Whether it is doing more to battle obesity and sleep apnea, or helping our drivers avoid skin cancer, ATA has consistently advocated for sensible regulations to ensure our drivers get and stay healthy. We appreciate the efforts of the IWFA to help our industry take another step in that direction,” he added.

The clarification represents information that impacts millions of truck drivers who drive many hours at a stretch in ˜big rigs’ weighing more than 26,000 pounds, said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. The FMCSA has agreed with the International Window Film Association that the use of ˜clear’ window films with a minimum 70 percent visibility rating installed on the front side windows is permitted, he added. Sadly long-haul drivers, have faced skin cancer as ˜one of the hazards of the job’ and we hope to help change that with this clarification, said Smith.

According to Business Wire, “Professionally installed window film typically reduces exposure to UV radiation by up to 99 percent, reduces glare, interior fading and hot spots. In personal vehicles many jurisdictions have legislation that specifies, and may limit, what can be applied to the windows. For further information go to: http://www.iwfa.com/ConsumerInfo/Automotive.aspx .”

Truckers have enough job hazards to contend with, skin cancer, which is preventable, should not be one of them.

Drivers, what do you think?  Will you tint your windows?