Prevention of occupational risks for drivers

Lately, the logistics and road distribution sector has undergone a great evolution and development, becoming an essential part of the organization and business function. For this reason, it is just as important to guarantee the safety of workers and to carry out a very strict prevention of occupational risks for drivers.

This service is increasingly in demand, as it is crucial for the proper transportation and operation of the supply chain. In addition, it is in continuous adaptation to the circumstances of the moment, knowing how to mold itself to each exceptional situation such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, it is one of the professional activities with the highest rate of occupational accidents and the one that entails the most serious and fatal tragedies. Therefore, the challenge of the logistics sector must be to reinforce the safety and health of its workers and improve road safety, as well as include rules for the prevention of occupational risks for drivers.

The work of professional drivers

The work carried out by a professional driver is identified by its high dynamism given the high pace of work, the responsibility of the work itself and the many unforeseen or adverse situations that can occur while it is running.

Professionals in the road transport sector, in addition to their main driving task, must carry out other complementary tasks such as the maintenance, repair and cleaning of the vehicle or the organization of the loading and unloading of the elements that they must transport.

In addition, they must have a high qualification and competence, being qualified to drive the vehicle and for the auxiliary and complementary activities that logistics entails.

Prevention of occupational risks for drivers

Next, we are going to establish both General Standards and tips to contribute to the prevention of occupational risks for drivers.

General Rules for the prevention of occupational risks for drivers

Next, we are going to detail a series of General Standards that Oroel believes are essential to guarantee the prevention of occupational risks for professional drivers and guarantee their physical integrity in the work environment.

• Maintain a high degree of attention, avoiding as much as possible any distraction such as the use of headphones or any other device that encourages careless driving.
• Always adapt the speed of the vehicle to the road conditions and the load being transported.
• Be aware of the space to maneuver and the responsiveness of the vehicle in each situation.
• Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear while driving.
• If you use prescription glasses, keep a spare in the vehicle.
• If medications are ingested, be sure that they are not contraindicated for driving and / or consult your doctor.
• Guarantee the perfect state of maintenance of the vehicle.

How a correct posture helps to prevent occupational risks for drivers

Now you will discover the correct driving position that guarantees occupational risk prevention for drivers.

• Arms slightly bent, neither too stretched nor too bent, but forming an angle of 130-140º.
• Legs also slightly bent so that they allow the correct support of the body on the seat.
• Backrest with an inclination as vertical as possible (90º is ideal), allowing the back to be supported as much as possible and the distance to the headrest is less than 9 cm.
• Correct distance over the controls, which allows you to turn the steering wheel and operate the gear lever without sudden efforts or move your back away from the backrest. The legs must in no case touch the steering wheel.
• Seat belt over the approximate center of the collarbone, not near the neck or shoulder. Once in the correct position, the rearview mirrors should be adjusted accordingly.

Nutrition and physical activity tips to follow to promote occupational risk prevention for drivers

Nutrition Tips for the Professional Driver

• Do not eat large meals or heavy foods that slow down the intake because they cause drowsiness.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages, reflexes are diminished and create a false sense of security.
• Drink water every two hours, as hydration is very important to maintain the correct reflexes in the muscles and joints for driving.
• If the appetite enters during the mark, the nuts are very good option to calm the hunger.

Physical activity tips for the professional driver

• Regular physical activity is recommended to maintain muscle tone and improve postural attitude. However, strength training is preferable to aerobic training.
• The abdominal and lumbar training helps reduce back injuries caused by the driving position itself.
• Let’s not forget about the warm-up exercises before and after riding on long stretches. In this way, injuries and situations of muscle tension and discomfort are reduced and the general feeling of fatigue is reduced.