The trucking industry has a problem that hasn’t gone away in about a decade: high turnover rate. In 2013, trucker turnover was at 92%, making it above 90% for nine yearly quarters in a row. There are multiple factors involved in this issue, including regulations and the absence of a young, up-and-coming workforce. Another major contributor to trucking turnover is health and safety conflict. An estimated 7% of truck drivers cause Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) problems for the companies that employ them (Badkar, Mamta, “There’s A Huge Shortage Of Truck Drivers”). In this piece, we will first identify four some common driver safety and health concerns, then explain how incentive programs help address these issues.
1. Driving Safety
Safe driving practices are, of course, the most important concern when it comes to driver health and safety. Drivers must always be mindful of traffic rules, safety codes, and weight regulations to make each trip as safe as possible. Long hours on the road also increase the risk of accidents and safety violations.
2. An Older Workforce
Turnover and health issues in the trucking industry are caused, in part, by a workforce older than is typical. The trucking industry rests largely on the shoulders of older employees. In 2011, the average age of a truck driver was 47. This age range puts employees more prone to the back, neck, and shoulder pain that plagues drivers. According to an article by chiropractic Dr. Jerry Singh, “Shifting, sitting with poor posture, constant vibrations and stress” can cause issues like spinal joint dysfunction, muscle pain, and repetitive sprains.
3.Obesity and Poor Diet
KeepTruckingSafe.org estimates that about 7 in 10 long-haul drivers are obese. Obesity is an issue namely because of the health risks associated with it, such as Type 2 diabetes, joint and back pain, sleep apnea, cancer, and heart disease. These problems not only damage drivers’ health, but can disqualify them from receiving their commercial driver’s license (CDL).
4.Stress and Mental Health
Traffic is a notorious stressor that most people face for only a couple of hours a day, at most. For truck drivers, of course, traffic is a constant part of the job. This, on top of more typical job stress points like deadlines and money concerns, makes truck driving particularly hard on the body and mind.
How can incentive programs help combat these common industry health problems? By offering drivers desirable rewards for following safety guidelines and maintaining healthy behaviors. Incentive companies like Loyaltyworks have a selection of online reward programs with a variety of focuses, including Health and Wellness and Safety.
With a Health and Wellness program, you can reward employees with program points for reaching a variety of wellness goals. They can then redeem these points for rewards in an extensive online catalog, featuring millions of rewards from merchandise (sporting goods, tools, electronics, etc.) to ticket events and digital downloads. Common Health and Wellness goals include maintaining a healthy BMI, quitting smoking, participating in annual checkups, and exercising. KeepTruckingSafe.org provides health recommendations for truckers that you may want to incorporate into your incentive goals:
You can also address driving safety practices with Loyaltyworks’ Safety incentive program. Loyaltyworks’ Safety program provides OSHA compliant training information that can keep drivers up to date on regulations. You can also reward employees on the spot for their exemplary, safety- or regulation-compliant actions. Loyaltyworks also provides a Learn and Earn module which rewards employees points for passing quizzes and completing surveys. This means you can also reward employees for staying educated on safety policies.
The trucking industry faces tough health and safety challenges that contribute to an abnormally high turnover rate. Health and safety incentive programs can help you retain employees, however, by keeping them healthy, happy, and regulation-compliant. Without mindfulness of health and safety, the truck driving can be dangerous and exhausting work. Give your drivers the extra motivation they need to promote safety awareness and self-care.
Steve Damerow
CEO of The ISI Group
sdamerow@isicorporate.com
Direct Contact: 678-514-0203
Loyaltyworks
2299 Perimeter Park Drive
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30341
1. Driving Safety
Safe driving practices are, of course, the most important concern when it comes to driver health and safety. Drivers must always be mindful of traffic rules, safety codes, and weight regulations to make each trip as safe as possible. Long hours on the road also increase the risk of accidents and safety violations.
2. An Older Workforce
Turnover and health issues in the trucking industry are caused, in part, by a workforce older than is typical. The trucking industry rests largely on the shoulders of older employees. In 2011, the average age of a truck driver was 47. This age range puts employees more prone to the back, neck, and shoulder pain that plagues drivers. According to an article by chiropractic Dr. Jerry Singh, “Shifting, sitting with poor posture, constant vibrations and stress” can cause issues like spinal joint dysfunction, muscle pain, and repetitive sprains.
3.Obesity and Poor Diet
KeepTruckingSafe.org estimates that about 7 in 10 long-haul drivers are obese. Obesity is an issue namely because of the health risks associated with it, such as Type 2 diabetes, joint and back pain, sleep apnea, cancer, and heart disease. These problems not only damage drivers’ health, but can disqualify them from receiving their commercial driver’s license (CDL).
4.Stress and Mental Health
Traffic is a notorious stressor that most people face for only a couple of hours a day, at most. For truck drivers, of course, traffic is a constant part of the job. This, on top of more typical job stress points like deadlines and money concerns, makes truck driving particularly hard on the body and mind.
How can incentive programs help combat these common industry health problems? By offering drivers desirable rewards for following safety guidelines and maintaining healthy behaviors. Incentive companies like Loyaltyworks have a selection of online reward programs with a variety of focuses, including Health and Wellness and Safety.
With a Health and Wellness program, you can reward employees with program points for reaching a variety of wellness goals. They can then redeem these points for rewards in an extensive online catalog, featuring millions of rewards from merchandise (sporting goods, tools, electronics, etc.) to ticket events and digital downloads. Common Health and Wellness goals include maintaining a healthy BMI, quitting smoking, participating in annual checkups, and exercising. KeepTruckingSafe.org provides health recommendations for truckers that you may want to incorporate into your incentive goals:
Make time for exercise. When on the road, be sure to leave the truck cabin for regular walking or stretching breaks.Plan to eat healthier. It’s hard to find anything but fast food stops once you’re on the highways and interstates. Plan ahead and bring health snacks on the road to avoid overloading on fatty meals.Take time to reduce stress. Make time to decompress. Keep in touch with friends and family to stay positive.
You can also address driving safety practices with Loyaltyworks’ Safety incentive program. Loyaltyworks’ Safety program provides OSHA compliant training information that can keep drivers up to date on regulations. You can also reward employees on the spot for their exemplary, safety- or regulation-compliant actions. Loyaltyworks also provides a Learn and Earn module which rewards employees points for passing quizzes and completing surveys. This means you can also reward employees for staying educated on safety policies.
The trucking industry faces tough health and safety challenges that contribute to an abnormally high turnover rate. Health and safety incentive programs can help you retain employees, however, by keeping them healthy, happy, and regulation-compliant. Without mindfulness of health and safety, the truck driving can be dangerous and exhausting work. Give your drivers the extra motivation they need to promote safety awareness and self-care.
Steve Damerow
CEO of The ISI Group
sdamerow@isicorporate.com
Direct Contact: 678-514-0203
Loyaltyworks
2299 Perimeter Park Drive
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30341
