Injury risks create 'perfect storm' for transportation industry
According to the recent study by Atlas Ergonomics, the commercial transportation industry experiences a unique set of workplace circumstances that create the "perfect storm" for increasing both the frequency of injuries and the costs to the industry.
The factors include:
- Demands and exposure. Commercial transportation jobs expose workers to high physical demands and extended hours of exposure. According to the study, musculoskeletal disorders are typically driven by overexertion of heavy routine tasks performed within the industry.
- Injury rates. The transportation industry experiences one of the highest work-related injury rates among all workplace sectors. Researchers said previous studies indicate that one out of every 13 truck drivers experienced a work-related injury resulting in a lost time injury claim.
- Turnover rates. The industry experiences a high level of turnover on an annual basis.
- New employees. Researchers noted that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 to 20 percent of injuries occur within the first three to 12 months of employment.
February 22, 2010
Copyright 2010© LRP Publications
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