Most workers in the road transport industry are heavy vehicle drivers. Other workers include delivery drivers, forklift drivers, furniture removers, road and rail freight handlers and anyone else who drives as part of their job.
What is the impact of injuries?
People working in the road transport industry are at increased risk of suffering from back and shoulder injuries related to the unsafe handling of freight and slips, trips and falls, when loading and unloading.
Hazards common to the road transport industry include demanding and unpredictable schedules, irregular working hours leading to fatigue, heavy manual work, noise and vibration, vehicle accidents, exposure to chemicals and handling dangerous goods.
The road transport industry plays an important role in the regional and national economy of New Zealand. Approximately 80% of freight is transported by road and 22,500 people are engaged in the provision of road freight transport.
Last year 1,279 road transport workers were injured while working outside of the cab, at a cost of $9 million.
Contact us (roadtransport@acc.co.nz) for further information on the number and cost of the most common injuries in the road transport industry.
What can I do to reduce injuries?
It is a fact that around 50% of heavy vehicle drivers do not wear seatbelts – this relates directly to the severity of injuries suffered when an accident occurs. Make safe driving a priority in your organisation and you will save money and lives. See Your safe driving policy (PDF525K) for further information.
DriverSafe is a great health and safety induction training programme for anyone working in the road transport industry.
ACC and the Road Transport Safer Industry Strategic Steering Group have developed a comprehensive guide on hazard management and improving health and safety in the road transport industry: the Employers guide to health and safety in road transport (PDF878K).
Small businesses or owner/drivers within the road transport industry may qualify for up to 10% discount off their levies by demonstrating safe working practices. See ACC Workplace Safety Discounts for further information.
WorkSafe programme
Use ACC’s key work safety programmes to establish health and safety systems and help keep your business injury-free. For further information, see:
What other help is available?
We have a range of tools and resources to help you identify and manage hazards typical to your workplace.
Have a look at the Publications page for the large range of brochures, posters and signs developed to highlight the hazards in the Road Transport Industry.
Videos
Six short videos have been created for the Road Transport industry. They can be used as part of a training session or just as a refresher for drivers.
Training
DriverSafe - an introductory health and safety training programme developed by ACC, Tranzqual ITO and the Road Freight Safer Industry group.
Fit for the Road
Developed for the Log Transport Safety Council, the Fit for the Road (PDF76K) programme aims is to encourage and assist log truck drivers to improve their health and empower them to make healthy choices. The programme is all about increasing opportunities and reducing barriers at work and at home for those truck drivers who are interested in improving their health.
Commercial Fleets nutrition guide
Shiftwork Services have developed a nutrition guide for commercial drivers, called Eat Right, Work Smart.
This guide provides information about the impacts that different foods have on the performance of the body and suggestions of food that will help manage fatigue when driving long hours.
Work Smart Tips for Road/Transport
Work smart tips – an on-line tool of two parts: body warm-ups and stretches to reduce Discomfort Pain and Injury (DPI) and ‘panels’ highlighting potential issues and solutions for health and safety in the road/transport industry. Instructions for set-up and printing are on the first page of the tips. Printed tips can be used as pocket books, or posters as well.
Related websites
Use these external links to find more information:
- NZ Transport Agency
- Tranzqual ITO
- Ministry of Transport
- Transport Engineering Research New Zealand
- Road Transport Forum NZ
- National Road Carriers
- NZ Road Transport Associations
- NZ Trucking Association
- Log Transport Safety Council
Last updated: 16April2010