Allegheny County Idling Restrictions for Off Road Equipment

The Allegheny County Health Department has proposed regulations to restrict idling from off-road diesel powered vehicles.  The proposed regulation would limit idling to five minutes.  

Included in the regulations are exemptions which allow additional idling beyond the five minutes. These exemptions include the following:
•    Idling to verify that the equipment is in safe operating condition and equipped as required by all provisions of law, and all equipment is in good working order, either as part of the daily equipment inspection, or as otherwise needed;
•    Idling required to bring the machine system to operating temperature;
•    Idling for testing, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes;
•    Idling necessary to accomplish work for which the equipment was designed, and/or for the operator’s comfort while accomplishing such work;
•    Idling when queuing; and
•    Idling by any vehicle being used in an emergency or public safety capacity.

Other key provisions of the proposed regulations include the following:
•    It applies to diesel-fueled compression ignition mobile off-road equipment engines with 25 HP or greater;  
•    It does not apply to locomotives, commercial marine vehicles, marine engines, recreational vehicles, military equipment, or stationary / portable equipment;
•    It does not allow such equipment to idle for more than 5 consecutive minutes;
•    Requires company to have a written policy that limits idling to 5 minutes or less;
•    Requires company to establish staging zones and keep equipment away from building fresh air intakes;
•    Training of operator must be conducted at time of employment and at least once per year;
•    Penalties range from warnings to a maximum of $500 per offense;
•    Enforcement may be conducted by any municipal or local government unit; and
•    Definitions of key terms within the regulation.

To view a copy of this proposed regulation, click here.  To view a report on nationwide efforts on Restricting Diesel Idling at Construction and Distribution Sites, click here.

Allegheny County is accepting comments on this regulation; please submit your comments to Jason Koss at Constructors Association by December 22nd.

If you have any questions on this proposed regulation, contact the Association at 412-343-8000.