What health problems do truck drivers have?
Long-haul truck drivers may develop health problems because of their work environment….Being obese, or overweight, can increase the risk of other health problems, such as:
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- High cholesterol.
- Sleep apnea.
- Lack of physical activity.
How dangerous is long-haul trucking?
On average, a long-haul trucker works 60 hours per week and drives more than 107,000 miles per year. They are at risk of drowsy and distracted driving, and the consequences can be fatal. In 2012, 697 truck drivers, or their passengers, were killed in crashes.
What is truck driver syndrome?
Dead butt syndrome is when you sit for long periods of time and some important elements of your core become compromised. Once you do finally stand up, your core muscle groups like your trunk and hips don’t move as smoothly and your body compensates by placing stress on other areas of the body.
Is it unhealthy to be a truck driver?
Three of the biggest health problems truckers face today are obesity, sleep apnea, and smoking-related health issues (half of all truckers smoke); all three the results of poor and unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits.
How much do long haul truck drivers get paid?
Long Haul Truck Driver Salary
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Top Earners $86,500 $7,208 75th Percentile $76,500 $6,375 Average $64,210 $5,350 25th Percentile $52,500 $4,375 How much sleep do truck drivers get?
Drivers averaged 5.18 hours in bed per day and 4.78 hours of electrophysiologically verified sleep per day over the five-day study (range, 3.83 hours of sleep for those on the steady 13-hour night schedule to 5.38 hours of sleep for those on the steady 10-hour day schedule).
What are the risks of being a long haul truck driver?
If they get a medical condition that affects their ability to drive, it could cost them their commercial driving license. Our survey found long-haul truck drivers are more likely to smoke, be overweight, and are less likely to be physically active compared to other US workers.
Why do truckers have so many mental health issues?
The top factors that contribute to mental health issues include financial worries, a lack of social support and job stress. Count long-haul truckers in for all three. While most studies have focused on the physical safety of drivers, more recent attention is being paid to the mental well-being of truckers.
What is the National Survey of Long Haul truck drivers?
NIOSH national survey of long-haul truck drivers: Injury and safety. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Vital Signs: Seat Belt Use among Long-Haul Truck Drivers-United States, 2010. Sieber WK, Robinson CF, Birdsey J, Chen GX, Hitchcock EM, Lincoln JE, Nakata A, Sweeney MH [2014].
How many truck drivers are killed each year?
In 2012, 697 truck drivers, or their passengers, were killed in crashes. [2] Drivers can prevent accidents and injuries: Truck crashes are preventable if drivers, employers, and others on the road work together to use safe tactics and follow safety laws. What safety issues did we find?
What are the health risks of being a truck driver?
Truck drivers were twice as likely to be obese compared to other US workers. Being obese, or overweight, can increase the risk of other health problems, such as: Heart disease. Diabetes. Hypertension. High cholesterol. Sleep apnea. Lack of physical activity.
The top factors that contribute to mental health issues include financial worries, a lack of social support and job stress. Count long-haul truckers in for all three. While most studies have focused on the physical safety of drivers, more recent attention is being paid to the mental well-being of truckers.
Why do truck drivers have so much stress?
Stress is a common health concern for truck drivers in the trucking industry. Of course, there’s the stress of making your delivery on time, being stuck in traffic and dealing with bad drivers on the road. However, stress can also be caused by lack of sleep, isolation, and other health concerns that you might be suffering from.
How to check your health as a truck driver?
Symptoms as simple as a headache can be an early sign of an underlying health concern. Be aware of any persistent discomfort, no matter how mild, and make an appointment with your doctor to have it checked out. Some of the most common health issues drivers are facing in the trucking industry are: