Citation

Hege A, Perko M, Johnson A, Yu CH, Sönmez S, Apostolopoulos Y. Saf. Health Work 2015; 6(2): 104-113.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NS, USA ; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA ; Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, TX, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute)

DOI

10.1016/j.shaw.2015.02.001

PMID

26106509

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given the long hours on the road involving multiple and interacting work stressors (i.e., delivery pressures, irregular shifts, ergonomic hazards), commercial drivers face a plethora of health and safety risks. Researchers goal was to determine whether and to what extent long-haul trucker work schedules influence sleep duration and quality.

METHODS: Survey and biometric data collected from male long-haul truck drivers at a major truckstop in central North Carolina over a six month period.

RESULTS: Daily hours worked (mean = 11 hours, 55 minutes) and frequency of working over government-mandated daily HOS regulations (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep duration. Miles driven per week (mean = 2,812.61), irregular daily hours worked (63.8%), and frequency of working over the daily hour limit (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep quality.

CONCLUSION: Implications of findings suggest a comprehensive review of the regulations and operational conditions for commercial motor vehicle drivers be undertaken.

Language: en