“Fit for the road”: log truck driver health and well-being

Log truck drivers in New Zealand have challenging working conditions with thirteen hour working days usually beginning in the early hours of the morning. Battling fatigue is a constant challenge. The Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC) has been working to improve log truck safety. Driver health and well-being is a current focus following concerns from operators. Poor driver health not only affects individuals but also affects road safety and the productivity of transport operations. An investigation of health and wellness issues among log truck drivers identified issues that could be grouped into the areas of obesity, work/life balance and injuries. A key finding was that twice as many log truck drivers are obese compared with New Zealand males of similar age. Following this study, a trial health and fitness programme for log truck drivers –“Fit for the road”, was designed and implemented. Preliminary indications are that “Fit for the road” has had a positive impact on the lives of the participants, although work is also needed to address wider systemic issues within the industry that might affect drivers health and wellbeing. The next challenge will be to implement “Fit for the road” principles within individual transport operations. (a) For the covering record of the conference, please refer to ITRD abstract no. E218380.