It may not immediately seem like it, but driving a truck on the roads of California comes with a fair degree of risk. Besides the potential for injury, truck drivers also risk their lives while on the clock.
The U.S. Department of Labor notes common truck driver job-related injuries. If you are a truck driver or are thinking about becoming a truck driver, learn what to look out for and how to protect yourself.
Musculoskeletal injury or disorder
Truck drivers may have to load and unload the freight they carry. Without proper form or help from another person or equipment, there exists the risk of sustaining a musculoskeletal injury or disorder of the spine, nerves, muscles or tendons. Constantly getting into and out of a large truck also paves the way to a potential strain or another injury.
Crush or fall injury
There is the risk of a crush or fall injury when truck drivers have to heft heavy items alone. Bones can break or fracture, and muscles can become strained or overworked. Again, using a forklift or similar equipment or getting help from another person may help avoid such injuries.
Overexertion
Sitting for long periods of time while behind the wheel may lead to overexertion, especially drivers have poor posture. It is best for truck drivers to take breaks and get out of their trucks to stretch their muscles and walk around to increase blood flow.
Financial injury
Serious on-the-job injuries may require truck drivers to miss work to recover, possibly missing more than a month of work. This recovery time could lead to a loss of income. Working to prevent unnecessary injuries not only protects truckers physically, but financially, too.
This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.