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05/29/2007 Saving Money and Lives by Focusing on Driver’s Health
Let’s face it, truck driving does not lend itself to a healthy lifestyle. Besides the stress of driving, most long-haul truck drivers don’t get enough sleep, eat poorly, and get limited exercise. In addition, except for the required CDL physical exam every two years, truckers are notorious for avoiding checkups and other preventative medical care.
Historically, drivers are not alone in neglecting health issues. Until very recently, most motor carriers saw their involvement with drivers health as being little more than paying the required health insurance premiums for their pool of insured employees. Similarly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for the most part has focused its involvement with medical issues on CDL qualification and road-safety, rather than on driver wellness and illness prevention.
Recently however, the issue of driver health and wellness has become more prominent for both motor carriers and the FMCSA. And drivers, on an individual level, are being offered more options for a healthier lifestyle than ever before.
Many motor carriers have implemented driver health and wellness programs because of economic considerations. With the driver shortage approaching critical levels, motor carriers have an incentive to not only keep the drivers they employ as healthy as possible, but to use their health and wellness programs as a recruitment and retention tool. Many larger motor carriers have also found that healthier drivers save the company money because of a reduction in health care premiums and reduced driver sick time.
Some companies, such as industry giant Schneider National, have contracted with third party health service providers to provide their drivers a wide-range of health services at in-house Operating Centers. Schneider has 12 company-owned truck stops (Operating Centers) across the U.S. Full-time certified physical and occupational therapists that have been trained to deal with the special needs of drivers staff each center. Services such as blood pressure monitoring, diet and nutrition counseling, physical therapy, and sleep disorder referrals are provided to company drivers at no cost.
“Our success depends on our drivers…..These hardworking people struggle with the same health issues as you and me, but their situations are often made worse because they are away from home for extended periods without easy access to health services” – said Wendy Sullivan, occupational health manager for Schneider National.
Even smaller motor carriers have begun to recognize the advantages of providing their drivers access to expanded health and wellness services. Old Dominion Freight Line has emphasized early detection and treatment of problems and has expanded their medical coverage to include diagnostic and preventative testing. Another company, Wooster Motor Ways provides free physicals for their employees, and also holds meetings in a local hospital auditorium that are geared towards specific health problems encountered by drivers and their families. Wooster has also spent $18,000 to convert a 48-foot trailer into a well equipped fitness facility that is available to any employee on a 24/7 basis.
In 2004 the FMCSA published its final rule for “Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-level Commercial Drivers.” That rule required that new CDL drivers (those with less than one year driving experience) receive training in a number of non-driving subjects including for the first time, driver wellness. 49 CFR 380.503(c) requires driver’s receive instruction that includes; “Basic health maintenance including diet and exercise. The importance of avoiding the excessive use of alcohol.”
In addition, the FMCSA has recently instituted a new Medical Review Board that will not only review the current standards for CDL certification and retention, but will also expand the agency’s role into “new areas that haven’t been explored yet.”
Two key elements of the Medical Review Board’s charter call for the Board to;
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Provide FMCSA with ongoing expertise to shape decisions about the health and wellness of CMV drivers, including physical qualifications, medical advisory criteria and safety research; and
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Advise FMCSA on the development of uniform driver physical qualification (medical) standards and CMV driver health and wellness.
For the individual driver, the last few years have seen some small improvements in the options available on the road for a healthier lifestyle. Some of the major truckstop chains have introduced menus containing more healthy-food items in many of their restaurants.
The internet and satellite radio offer truckers information on health maintenance, diet, exercise, and medical topics at the push of a few buttons. Websites such as http://www.roadcookin.com are specifically aimed at fostering a healthier lifestyle among over-the-road truckers.
Last year saw the first ever, national health tour aimed specifically at over-the-road truck drivers and their unique health needs and requirements. The tour visited some 50 locations during 2006 and is scheduled for 70 locations this year (2007). More information can be found at http://www.truckstopevents.com.
Some truckstops are also offering walk-in medical clinics that provide access to medical services beyond minor emergency treatment, such as chiropractic care and massage therapy. Some of these clinics such as Travelers Medical Centers are using internet-based medical records systems, so that a driver can stop at any affiliated clinic across the country and receive treatment based on their personalized medical history. | 
