Certain Truck Drivers at High Risk of Non-Accident-Related Injury
PRESS RELEASE
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Grand Haven, MI—Apr , 2009—It's no secret that commercial truck drivers have high-risk jobs. What surprises most people is learning that a significant percentage of risk comes from the physical toll of sitting in and operating the vehicle. Even more surprisingly, as a recent Atlas Ergonomics study shows, long hours behind the wheel put certain drivers at especially high risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries.
Of all workers, truck drivers lose the most work days per musculoskeletal disorder incident. This lost time can have a devastating effect on the income of individual drivers, as well as their health, and on their employers' bottom line. Fortunately, as the Atlas study shows, drivers at highest risk can be identified and protected, simply and cost-efficiently.
As part of its ongoing work with leading transportation companies, Atlas regularly surveys drivers on their job routines, task characteristics, physical environment, physical characteristics and discomfort. Recently, Atlas pooled and analyzed more than 28,000 of these surveys in an effort to pinpoint specific risk factors.
The analysis shows clear relationships between injury risk and the physical characteristics of both the driver and the cab. For example, drivers taller than 6'3" and shorter than 5'7" have the highest levels of physical discomfort. The analysis also reviewed relationships between drivers' discomfort and their age, seniority, weight and genderwith results that were sometimes surprising.
Trends in the data provide valuable insight into reducing ergonomics risk for commercial drivers, according to Atlas spokesman James Landsman, President. "Fortunately, as our historical data and work in transportation have shown, driver risk can be measurably reduced through simple, low-cost adjustments to the cab and the drivers' routines," Landsman says. "The data show that sound ergonomics can have a direct, significant impact on trucking companies' financial performancewhich executives may find particularly encouraging in this difficult economy."
Due to the breadth of information covered, Atlas is releasing the results of this study in two separate papers. This first, titled "Transportation Ergonomics: Relationship between Demographics and Discomfort in the Trucking Industry" highlights the relationship between employee demographics and work-related discomfort. Recommendations and conclusions in the report are designed to help anyone addressing ergonomics concerns in a commercial transportation environment.
A free copy of the paper is available by request from Atlas at http://www.atlasergo.com/about_contact.aspx.
About Atlas Ergonomics, LLC
Atlas Ergonomics, LLC is a leading ergonomic service and technology provider, helping customers reduce the spiraling costs of work related injuries within industrial, office, commercial transportation, public transit, and healthcare environments. Atlas guides clients to financially evaluate and define the appropriate strategy, and offers services that are uniquely simple, measurable, and cost effective. Atlas Ergonomics provides turnkey support through a nationwide network of providers or can assist corporate resources with the necessary training and technology. Atlas Ergonomics is located in Grand Haven, Michigan, and additional information can be found at www.atlasergo.com.
