Driver fatigue remains a significant concern in the trucking industry, posing risks to road safety and the health of drivers. Implementing effective strategies to manage and mitigate driver fatigue is crucial for ensuring safer roads and promoting the well-being of those behind the wheel. The demanding nature of trucking schedules often leads to fatigue among drivers, affecting their alertness, reaction times, and overall performance. Recognizing the signs of fatigue is vital, and acknowledging the importance of adequate rest and breaks is the cornerstone of fatigue management. Below are several tips to help educate your drivers on managing fatigue.
PROMOTE NAPS DURING BREAKS
A motor carrier can help drivers manage fatigue by promoting naps during the driver’s mandated 30-minute break following eight hours of cumulative driving. It is not enough for drivers to simply pull over and get out from behind the wheel. According to Hawai’i Pacific Health, “Researchers found that those who napped regularly reaped greater restorative effects than those who failed to nap.”1
¹Source: https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/healthier-hawaii/live-healthy/why-napping-is-better-than-coffee-when-you-need-a-midday-boost/.
CREATE REALISTIC SCHEDULES
Create realistic schedules that prioritize drivers’ rest periods, ensuring compliance with hours-of-service regulations. Avoid prolonged shifts and encourage regular breaks to prevent cumulative fatigue. Be flexible with scheduling. Even if drivers have not been driving all day, encourage them to listen to their bodies. If the driver is tired and time permits, encourage them to pull over to a safe area to nap.
PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Educate drivers on healthy eating habits, the importance of daily activity, and prioritizing mental health. This can also include recognizing the signals of drowsiness and, if planning to get behind the wheel, avoiding medications that can induce drowsiness.
EDUCATE DRIVERS ON QUALITY REST AND SLEEP DISORDERS
Provide comprehensive training to drivers about recognizing and managing fatigue. Promote open communication about sleep quality, stress, and workload issues to address concerns effectively. Note: If a driver expresses trouble sleeping, encourage them to talk to their doctor about a possible sleep disorder.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
CALL TO ACTION
- Identify and implement onboard technologies to help reduce the risk of vehicle accidents.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
© Great West Casualty Company 2024. The material in this publication is the property of Great West Casualty Company unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced without its written consent by any person other than a current insured of Great West Casualty Company for business purposes. Insured should attribute use as follows: “© Great West Casualty Company 2018. Used with permission by Great West Casualty Company.”
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds on employment-related issues. Therefore, the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein.
.
