Trucker Injury: Emblem Wealth

Truckers face a high rate of occupational injuries because of their long hours, sedentary work habits and poor diets.

The most common type of injuries truckers suffer are from back, neck and shoulder damage. They also experience upper extremity injuries.

Muscular and Skeletal Injuries

Often referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), these injuries affect muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons. Work-related MSDs can have a negative impact on worker health and productivity.

Fortunately, there are steps truckers can take to avoid musculoskeletal injury. One proactive approach is fitness-to-work testing.

This ensures that a driver’s job tasks are appropriate to their physical abilities. This will lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and reduce the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders.

Repetitive motions such as bending, lifting, carrying, reaching and crouching can cause repetitive stress injuries. These injuries can include tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions can make even simple daily tasks difficult. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling.

Head Injuries

One of the most devastating injuries a trucker can suffer is a head injury. It can range from a concussion that heals within a few days to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that lasts long-term.

A traumatic brain injury can cause cognitive symptoms that are detrimental to daily functioning. These effects are often permanent and can impact a person’s ability to work, live independently, and lead a normal life.

A traumatic head injury can be caused by a variety of things, including a concussion, a deep cut or open wound, or a skull fracture. These may also result in internal bleeding and damage to the brain tissue and blood vessels.

Concussions

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). They can occur as a result of a blow to the head or violent shaking from an accident.

Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia and problems concentrating. They can also lead to memory loss or changes in mood and behavior.

It is important for truckers to stay alert, avoid distractions and drive safely. In addition, it is essential to wear a seat belt in all vehicles.

Some truck accidents cause hemorrhages, which can increase pressure inside the skull and damage the brain. This condition should be treated quickly to avoid permanent disability and death.

Back Injuries

Back pain is one of the most common trucker injuries. These injuries can occur from prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, or driving on bad roads.

Sitting for long periods of time can cause your spine to become compressed, which puts pressure on the spinal discs and nerves. This is a very dangerous condition that could result in degenerative disc disease.

While most truckers sit for several hours at a time, changing your position frequently can be very beneficial to your back. Try adjusting your seat every 20 minutes or so to get out of the same position and relieve some of the pressure on your spine.

Upper Extremity Injuries

The upper extremity – shoulders, elbows and wrists – is one of the most common areas for injuries in truckers. These can include sprains and fractures.

These can be caused by a variety of activities including pulling the fifth wheel pin, lowering the landing gear and raising and lowering the truck hood. Other trucking habits like resting your hand on a constantly vibrating gear shift lever can also lead to these types of injuries.

Shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries are a serious issue for professional truck drivers. They often require time off work and may even prevent the driver from working at all.

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