Health issues Truck driver

1 health issues

1.1 working conditions
1.2 australia health requirements
1.3 obesity
1.4 other health problems

health issues
working conditions

a sign in warning truck drivers stay off route.

most truck drivers employed over-the-road drivers, meaning hired drive long distances place of pickup place of delivery. during short times while in heavily polluted urban areas, being inside cab of truck contributes avoiding inhalation of toxic emissions, , on majority of trip, while passing through vast rural areas there little air pollution, truck drivers in general enjoy less exposure toxic emissions in air inhabitants of large cities, there increased exposure emissions engines, factories, etc., may increase risk of cancer , can aggravate lung diseases, such asthma in general public inhabit these cities. however, few drivers hired drive within urban areas not have advantage of spending more time away toxic emissions enjoyed over-the-road drivers. other conditions affecting health of truck drivers example vibration, noise, long periods of sitting, work stress , exhaustion. drivers in developing countries there additional risks because roads in appalling conditions , accidents occur more frequently. truck drivers high-risk group hiv-infection in countries.

in order address hazards relative driver fatigue, many countries have laws limiting amount of time truck drivers can work. many underdeveloped countries either lack such laws or not enforce them.

drivers work in mines have health hazards due working conditions, roads travel particularly treacherous.

australia health requirements

a new law passed in australia requiring on road drivers carry medical information them when on clock . drivers comply new law , can deliver quick, accurate medical assistance if , when needed.

truckers bedded down night in uk.


obesity

according 2007 study in journal of american dietetic association, 86% of estimated 3.2 million truck drivers in united states overweight or obese. survey conducted in 2010 showed 69% of american truck drivers met criteria obesity, twice percentage of adult working population in us. key risk factors obesity in truckers poor eating habits, lack of access healthy food, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, long work hours, , lack of access care.

eighty percent of truckers have unhealthful eating patterns result of poor food choices , food availability @ truck stops partially blame. options @ truck stops high calorie , high fat foods available through restaurants, fast-food, diners , vending machines. fresh produce , whole grain items few , far between. though 85% of mini-mart items categorized extremely unhealthy, 80% of these meals considered truck driver’s main meal of day. also, of foods carried drivers in trucks, whether or not stored in refrigerator, purchased truck stops. research suggests drivers value quality , taste more nutrition when selecting food. issue pattern of extensive , irregular snacking while on road , consumption of 1 large meal @ end of day. daily meal high in calories , may highlight of trucker’s day. food intake varies during working hours compared days off , truckers eat meals @ wrong circadian phase during day.

a volvo fh12 truck.

lack of exercise contributing factor obesity epidemic in truck driver population. 90% of truck drivers exercise or never , 8% exercise regularly. largely determined long work hours , tight deadlines, adoption of sedentary lifestyle , lack of place exercise. though fitness resources available truckers, scarce. available areas truck stops, highway rest areas, trucking terminals, warehouses, , truck cab. however, there many parking restrictions , safety concerns in trying incorporate exercise daily routine.

studies have found risk of obesity increases in high demand, low control jobs, , more in jobs long work hours; truck driving industry falls under these categories. also, daytime sleepiness , night disturbances associated obesity, , are, therefore, common among truck drivers. long haul drivers have tight schedules, tend drive longer , less sleep. u.s. department of transportation (dot) federal motor carrier safety administration (fmcsa) have hours of service (hos) regulations. under old rule, drivers work 82 hours in 7 days. these regulations modified in 2011; new rule permits drivers work 70 hours in 7 days. there 11-hour-per-day limit 10 hours off required after weekly shift. fines companies allow work beyond 11 hours $11,000 , drivers $2,750. though these fines exist, there minimal enforcement of law.

obesity prevalence affected access care truckers. company drivers have issues insurance, such necessary pre-approval if out of network. owner-operator drivers not have kind of medical insurance (that is, in usa medical treatment isn t free of charge countries). moreover, truckers have difficulties making appointment on road , not know stop assistance. many self-diagnose or ignore health issue altogether. able seen @ doctor’s offices or private clinics while large percentage depend on emergency rooms , urgent care visits. department of transportation has convenient care clinics across u.s., hard find , few , far between. health care costs substantially higher overweight , obese individuals, obesity in truck driver population puts greater financial demand on industry.

other health problems

truckers in smoke @ twice rate of other working adults; 51% of truckers reported smoked in 2010 survey. 61% of truckers in same survey reported having 2 or more risk factors, defined high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, no physical activity, or sleep deprivation (6 or fewer hours of sleep per 24 hours). truck drivers suffer musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, , stress @ higher rates.