As a company, you want your drivers to be safe at all times, follow the rules of the road, and arrive at their destination in a timely manner.
Many companies realize that their employees can only drive a set amount of hours at a time and need time to rest on long trips.
To compromise they develop work schedules that allow for plenty of rest along the way.
Truckers that have good sleep habits and sleep regularly will have no problem following these schedules and being safe.
Some people however battle with sleep problems on a regular basis and this can be very dangerous for your employees.
Sleep apnea is one disorder that affects truck drivers more than anyone.
It is hard to detect because the sufferer does not remember the symptoms that occurred throughout the night.
On average fifteen to thirty percent of truckers suffer from apnea.
This condition does not allow them to get proper sleep because they are awakened many times at night due to trouble breathing.
Since this is a common condition among drivers, companies are beginning to see the consequences of not detecting and treating it.
More severe accidents occur resulting in loss of money and time.
What are the direct affects sleep disorders can have on your company? Untreated sleep disorders often lead to bigger health problems.
This means that over time you will spend more money on health costs.
Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions can prevent many chronic illnesses such as heart problems and diabetes.
Trucks and loads can be destroyed due to an accident.
If accidents occur regularly, your business and drivers will begin to get a bad reputation and you could eventually lose business.
Insurance costs will rise due to increased accidents and health problems.
Workers productivity will diminish due to the condition causing you to struggle with absenteeism and work schedule changes.
Your other drivers may get overworked and loss of good help could be an end result.
Implementing a sleep management program that invests in your driver's safety and health can be very beneficial to your company, workers, and overall reputation.
Make sure your work schedules are set up to optimize sleep.
Begin testing your drivers regularly for sleep disorders such as apnea and restless leg syndrome.
Early detection will reduce sleep related accidents and overall costs.
Your drivers will be healthier, more productive, and available for work every day.
They will be less likely to contract severe illnesses that require hospitalization which will result in higher costs than early diagnosis and treatment.
Protect your company and your drivers by testing them for sleep disorders and providing them information on types of disorders and symptoms they need to look for.
A medical risk assessment can be done on sight for each of your drivers.
This way they do not have to go out of their way to be tested.
Many disorders can be diagnosed immediately with treatments starting before they head out on the road again.
Performing basic tests will reduce accidents and get your drivers the treatment they need so they be productive and healthy every time they drive.