Saf Health Work.  2015 Jun;6(2):104-113. 10.1016/j.shaw.2015.02.001.

Surveying the Impact of Work Hours and Schedules on Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Sleep

• Hege A
• Perko M
• Johnson A
• Yu CH
• Sonmez S
• Apostolopoulos Y

• KMID: 2317181
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2015.02.001

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Given the long hours on the road involving multiple and interacting work stressors (i.e., delivery pressures, irregular shifts, ergonomic hazards), commercial drivers face a plethora of health and safety risks. Researchers goal was to determine whether and to what extent long-haul trucker work schedules influence sleep duration and quality.
METHODS
Survey and biometric data collected from male long-haul truck drivers at a major truckstop in central North Carolina over a six month period.
RESULTS
Daily hours worked (mean = 11 hours, 55 minutes) and frequency of working over government-mandated daily HOS regulations (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep duration. Miles driven per week (mean = 2,812.61), irregular daily hours worked (63.8%), and frequency of working over the daily hour limit (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep quality.
CONCLUSION
Implications of findings suggest a comprehensive review of the regulations and operational conditions for commercial motor vehicle drivers be undertaken.

Keyword

commercial drivers; health; long-haul truck drivers; sleep; work environment

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules*
Humans
Male
Motor Vehicles*
North Carolina
Social Control, Formal