Health and Safety in the logistics industry

It is well known that South Africa has some of the worst road-safety statistics in the world.  The death or injury of loved ones exacts a high social cost, but accidents also hit the economy hard – vehicles have to be repaired or replaced and often goods in transit are destroyed or delivery is delayed.

Morné Stoltz, head of MiWay Business Insurance, comments that one of the biggest contributors to road safety is the fitness of drivers.

“Can they maintain their alertness and are they able to react appropriately to changing driving conditions, from the weather to other drivers? These issues are particularly important for professional drivers in the logistics industry, who are responsible for high-value vehicles and cargoes and whose driving ability directly affects other road users,” he says.

Sleep deprivation is a key challenge for truck drivers, who routinely drive long distances.

“Sleepiness contributes to six percent of road accidents in the United States and 33 percent in Australia, with the United Kingdom (20 percent) and France (ten percent) somewhere in between. In South Africa, 25 percent of truck drivers have admitted to being involved in an accident because of sleepiness. It is estimated that around 40 percent of our road fatalities can be linked to driver sleepiness,” Stoltz notes.

Furthermore, long-distance drivers are prone to back and neck problems thanks to long hours spent sitting in cramped seats. Driving is also an innately stressful job – drivers have to meet deadlines, cope with traffic and weather and must deal with job insecurity. All of these distract drivers, rendering them less alert and slowing down their reactions.

“The trucking community is also affected by ongoing health issues that are likely to impair the ability of drivers over the long term. One contributing factor is poor eating habits and a lack of exercise, often combined with smoking. They will rarely take the time for a walk to clear their heads and increase oxygen and endorphin levels. The pressure to get going is real and the industry’s culture is not health-oriented,” says Stoltz.

These types of behaviour can lead to strokes, diabetes, heart problems and circulatory problems. They will also contribute to sluggish mental processes and slow reactions.

“Solving these challenges requires a holistic set of interventions – there is no silver bullet. Companies should offer regular health checks (blood pressure, glucose levels, HIV screening and so on). Drivers also need to be informed about symptoms of possible health problems, such as chest pains, sudden dizziness and cognitive confusion,” he explains.

“Other constructive actions could be providing information on how to plan ahead to bring healthy food and snacks on trips, rather than simply relying on what food is available at truck stops. Include general training on how to make wise lifestyle choices, promote better sleeping patterns and undertake regular safety checks on vehicles. Good driving habits should be promoted on an ongoing basis.

“Companies could also help by providing access to back-support cushions and sunglasses for long trips, along with regular eye tests,” Stoltz advises.

“Work schedules, or perhaps using two drivers for especially long distances, are also things that companies could consider in order to manage driver fatigue. A higher wage bill could be offset by greater productivity and fewer accidents,” he concludes.