5/17/2023 0 Comments Sleep expert truck driver![]() ![]() At the very least, it can affect productivity or lead to the fatigue that contributes to workplace injuries. Left untreated, the issue can also contribute to heart problems. The warning signs can range from loud snoring to excessive sleepiness despite enough time in a bunk, as well as headaches and problems concentrating. The risks increase among anyone over 40, with a neck size larger than 17 inches, a small upper airway and large overbite. Pre-trip inspections should include a driver’s state of mind.Positive morale supports retention, highway safety.Seventeen percent of those behind the wheel were even morbidly obese. NIOSH found 70% of its studied truck drivers to be obese, compared to 31% of other workers. Apnea is also more common among people who are obese. Men are more likely to have the condition, and 97% of Canada’s truck drivers are male. ![]() Truck drivers clearly fall into the demographic group at the highest risk. Meanwhile, Schneider National was able to reduce preventable crashes by 30% after identifying and helping 339 drivers who had OSA. On three separate measures, apnea patients scored as badly or worse than test subjects who were legally drunk. Still wondering why a fleet should be concerned? When testing reaction times, Stanford University discovered that drivers who are tired because of disrupted sleep perform as poorly as those who are drinking. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study suggested that almost one in every three truck drivers suffers from apnea. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently looked at 1,670 long-haul drivers and found that 15% showed some signs of sleep apnea, while 59% recorded some type of respiratory disturbance. Several research studies have clearly suggested that apnea is a challenge in the trucking industry. Mark Rosekind, a known sleep expert, has also been named the administration’s leader. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been asked to explore the costs and benefits of mandatory sleep apnea screening, testing and treatment. Maybe there should be little surprise that the U.S. Contact us today for a free consultation.Learn more about our Transportation insurance solutions. We understand the ins and outs of truck accidents and are willing to fight for your rights. ![]() If you’ve been in a truck accident, the expert attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo are ready to help you on your road to recovery. The fear of losing their jobs could keep many drivers who suffer from sleep apnea from disclosing their condition. Moderate to severe sleep apnea could be grounds for labeling a driver “medically unfit” to operate a truck, leading to job loss. There is controversy regarding these regulations, however. This is to protect truck drivers from the fatigue and lack of motor control caused by sleep apnea that can result in an accident. Over the past few years, there have been calls to authorize a federal standardized test to help diagnose truck drivers with sleep apnea. However, many truck drivers do not report symptoms of sleep apnea because they feel fatigue is “part of the job.”ĭrivers at the highest risk of sleep apnea often meet the following criteria:ĭespite this knowledge, there are no official guidelines for recognizing these symptoms or identifying drivers who may be at risk for sleep apnea. Truck drivers log a lot of hours on the road, and it’s natural to become fatigued after driving for a long haul. Source: Enjuris Truck Driver Symptoms Go Unnoticed The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that around 342,000 trucks were involved in reported crashes in 2013 and those accidents resulted in 95,000 injuries and 3,964 deaths. While the condition is causing problems in the truck industry, it continues to go untreated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that almost 28% of truck drivers suffer from some degree of sleep apnea, leading them to experience severe drowsiness and slower reaction time while on the road. This constriction is caused by muscle relaxation and can lead to restless, frequently interrupted sleep for those who suffer from it. Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which a person’s airway is constricted during sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious issue that affects many individuals across the US, especially truck drivers.
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