While many people think that trucking is easy work, it’s anything but that. Being in the rig for many hours a day is exhausting, and it can take a toll on your health. Trucking is one profession that comes with some unique risks.
Most truckers do what they can to minimize the risks that they face. Unfortunately, it’s still possible for these hard-working men and women to suffer from injuries and illnesses that are directly related to their work.
Sitting is dangerous
One of the main risks of trucking is something that they can’t change. This is that they have to sit many hours a day. This puts them at risk of certain conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. It’s possible for them to get up and move around when they stop for fuel, but that might not provide them with enough activity on a daily basis to remain healthy or avoid chronic health issues and repetitive strain injuries.
Injuries while loading are common
Another risk is that of suffering an injury while loading or unloading the truck, as well as when checking for proper load securement. Injuries due to crashes are also possible. While they might be able to avoid some crashes, the actions of other drivers are often the cause of wrecks involving big rigs.
Any trucker who suffers a job-related illness or injury should determine whether they qualify for workers’ compensation or not. If you’re working for a company as an employee, you should have coverage. This means your medical bills should be paid. It can also mean that you’re eligible for other benefits, such as partial wage replacement. Working with someone who’s familiar with truckers and workers’ compensation is beneficial so you can ensure you get your due.
