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Abstract
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This study examined a range of different work-related injury and disease in transport sector workers across different driver groups by using a population-based data at a national level for workforce injury. This study provides evidence of a high rate of work-related injury and disease among transport workers. Truck drivers and other drivers are at increased risk of musculoskeletal injury rooted in the transportation environment, whilst public transport drivers are more likely to experience occupational mental stress. The median duration of time loss due to work-related injury and illness was longer in automobile drivers and truck drivers compared to other occupations.
The transport and logistics industry is vital to the economy of many countries, with transport workers representing a substantial proportion of the workforce in those countries where the population are greatly dispersed (e.g., U.S., Canada and Australia). However, a recent comprehensive review of the health and wellness of transport workers identified that they are subject to a unique set of conditions in their working environment (e.g., sedentary work, poor diet, long working hours and shift work, isolation, fatigue, sleep deprivation) that increase the risk for multiple morbidities (i.e., hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and diabetes) (Crizzle et al., 2017). Poor health status is associated with increased crash risk and may contribute to a lower quality of life both during working life and after retirement, resulting in a greater number of worker compensation claims and health care costs (Crizzle et al., 2017; Safe Work Australia., 2009). As such, understanding the health and wellbeing of people employed in the transport industry is critical to ensuring the most effective and efficient allocation of resources to prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
In Australia, the rate of work-related fatalities in the road freight transport industry is about ten times higher than the average for all industries, and the rate of non-fatal serious workers’ compensation claims (resulting in five or more days lost time) is twice that of other industries (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2014). Consistent with this data, the current Australian work health and safety strategy released by Safe Work Australian identifies road transport as one of seven priority industry segments (Safe Work Australia., 2012). While the Australian government has been continuously committed to improving road safety for transport workers, a large proportion of work-related injuries to transport workers are non-vehicle related such as sprains and strains, falls ...
Language: en |