DEKRA develops workplace health promotion for truck drivers

Lower health risks for drivers in freight transport and increased road safety: These are the goals of DEKRA Fit & Safe, a new program for workplace health promotion (WHP). DEKRA experts have developed the service specifically for the needs of truck drivers and logistics companies. The usual WHP programs and measures often do not meet the requirements of truck drivers who are on the road day and night.

The transport and logistics industry is facing a shortage of drivers that will worsen: The average age of truck drivers is 50 years, and more professionals are retiring than are being trained. Additionally, there are significant health burdens: long and unfavorable working hours, time pressure, lack of sleep, a mobile workplace with many demands, high environmental stressors such as constant high noise levels, and often a lack of recognition for the profession.
Dr. Karin Müller, head of the Human & Health department at DEKRA, is aware of the negative consequences: “Professional drivers face high occupational burdens that can often lead to negative physical and mental effects, especially when combined with an unhealthy lifestyle.” For example, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as nutritional and metabolic disorders. And: “A poor state of health has been shown to have negative effects on driving behavior and accident risk,” says expert Dr. Müller.
In a preliminary study and pilot projects, DEKRA, together with drivers and logistics companies, has identified the requirements for a health promotion program for this industry. Based on this, a corresponding program has been developed. It aims to reach drivers on a voluntary basis and should also be implementable when employees are not on company premises.
The program begins with raising awareness among entrepreneurs, managers, and dispatchers about health issues. Information events, workshops, and health circles are used for this purpose. At the same time, a baseline assessment is initiated through interviews within the company. This includes questioning dispatchers and participating drivers, either on-site at the company headquarters or remotely via a health web app.
For the drivers, intensive programs follow in a six-week startup phase: knowledge transfer, training plans, nutrition plans, accompanied by the possibility of individual psychosocial counseling if needed. The health web app is used, as well as social media, videos, and podcasts. The goal is for the training and measures to be sustainably integrated into the daily work routine by all participants. On a voluntary basis, an individual health coach accompanies the drivers throughout the entire program. All training sessions, measures, training, and successes are continuously summarized for employers and participants in a clear dashboard. Of course, the individual data of the drivers remains strictly protected.
https://www.dekra.de/de/fit-and-safe/
Photo: © DEKRA