Driving a commercial truck is an inherently dangerous profession. The more time that people spend on the road, the greater their chances of experiencing a crash. Although truck drivers must undergo specialized education and adhere to strict rules, they can still end up involved in a wreck.
Obviously, motor vehicle collisions are a safety concern for driving professionals. However, they are not the most common cause of lost-time incidents in the commercial transportation sector. According to data provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the top cause of workplace injuries for truck drivers does not involve collisions or even active driving.
Overexertion injuries are the top concern
When looking at truck driver workplace incidents, overexertion is the number one cause of injuries. Approximately 50% of all lost-time incidents involving truck drivers involve sprains and strains.
Truck drivers may need to connect and disconnect trailers. They may lift items while loading their trailers or making deliveries. Those routine job responsibilities can lead to traumatic injuries, which is why sprains and strains are so common.
Truck drivers may also develop repetitive strain injuries from sitting and gripping steering wheels for hours on end. Training on proper lifting, assistive technology and schedules that allow for regular breaks can all help reduce the risk of a semi-truck driver developing injuries that impact their job performance.
Regardless of whether a semi-truck driver got hurt in a crash or while loading a trailer, they may potentially be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Learning more about common sources of workplace injury can be beneficial for those in high-risk professions for obvious reasons.