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A Descriptive Study of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Long-Haul Truck Drivers: A NIOSH National Survey

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Long-haul truck drivers are significantly affected by musculoskeletal injuries with incidence rates 3.5 times higher than the national average. Yet, little is known about injuries that affect long-haul trucks drivers. In 2010, interviewers collected data from 1,265 long-haul truck drivers at 32 truck stops across the United States. These surveys were analyzed to describe all self-reported musculoskeletal injuries. Injuries to the arm (26.3%) and back (21.1%) were the two areas most reported in the survey. Musculoskeletal injuries were most often caused by falls (38.9%) and contact with an object or equipment (33.7%) resulting most commonly in sprains/strains (60%). This large scale survey highlights the significance of musculoskeletal injuries in long-haul truck drivers and suggests the need to develop interventions to prevent injuries and improve recovery once injuries occur.

Source: Workplace Health & Safety

DOI: 10.1177/2165079917750935

Authors: Bryan Combs, Karen Heaton, Dheeraj Raju, D. E. Vance, W. Karl Sieber

Institutions: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health