Authors
Spielholz-P; Cullen-J; Smith-C; Howard-N; Silverstein-B; Bonauto-D
Source
J Saf Res 2008 Dec; 39(6):569-576
Abstract
PROBLEM: The trucking industry experiences one of the highest work-related injury rates. Little work has been conducted previously in the United States to assess the hazards, needs, and injury prevention priorities in trucking. METHOD: Two separate industry-wide surveys of 359 trucking companies and 397 commercial truck drivers were conducted in Washington State. RESULTS: Trucking companies and drivers both ranked musculoskeletal and slip, trip, fall injuries as the top two priorities. Controlling heavy lifting, using appropriate equipment, and addressing slippery surfaces were frequently listed as solutions. There appears to be a gap in safety climate perception between workers and employers. However, driver and company priorities agreed with industry workers' compensation claims. There is room for safety program management improvement in the industry. The study findings detail opportunities for prioritizing and reducing injuries. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This information can be used to focus and design interventions for the prevention of work-related injuries while improving industry competitiveness.
Keywords
Injuries; Injury-prevention; Accident-rates; Accidents; Accident-prevention; Accident-statistics; Truck-drivers; Trucking; Transportation-industry; Transportation-workers; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Motor-vehicles; Work-areas; Work-environment; Work-performance;
Author Keywords: Trucking; Survey; Work-related Injuries; Needs Assessment; Intervention
Contact
Peregrin Spielholz, Sound Transit, 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
peregrin@alumni.washington.edu
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008487
Priority Area
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
Source Name
Journal of Safety Research
Performing Organization
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries