Truckies' health in the spotlight

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Helping to make New Zealand’s truckies healthier – both mentally and physically – is a focus of Mental Health Week (September 21-25).

An estimated 26,000 truck drivers are essential workers who transport 92 per cent of New Zealand’s total freight (by weight), making a vital contribution to the New Zealand economy.

However, long hours away from home, shift work, fatigue, isolation, physical inertia and challenging traffic conditions are all factors that can impact on drivers and business owners’ mental health.

Long hours, isolation and traffic conditions can all take a toll of truck drivers’ health, both mentally and physically.

Health and wellbeing are foundational to overall safety, and drivers’ wellbeing in particular is crucial because it helps keep them and other road users safe.

**READ MORE:

A new initiative by the NZ Trucking Association and Teletrac Navman will encourage healthy habits in the transport industry.

* Poor roads take physical and mental toll on truckies

* Auckland Harbour Bridge chaos: Tipped truck causes gridlock on motorways

* Truckers demand billion-dollar spend to fix 'dilapidated' roads

Are you trucking along okay? The NZTA hopes the new posters will encourage truckies to reach out for help when they need it.

* Shortage of truck drivers worries industry leaders

Teletrac Navman, a provider of fleet management technology, has partnered with the New Zealand Trucking Association with a programme encouraging the transport industry to check in with one another, reach out for support, and keep up healthy habits.

The ‘Are you trucking along okay?’ initiative is in the spotlight this week.

``It’s important for transport companies to take action on mental health and put the spotlight on our truck drivers as they are much more exposed to fatigue, H&S driver wellness and fatigue, and young to middle-age men are highly represented in New Zealand’s suicide statistics. Initiatives like the Mental Health Week is a good time to show your support,’’ says Megan Duncan, Teletrac Navman director of marketing for Australasia.

The New Zealand Trucking Association have launched a green ribbon symbol to raise awareness and show they care.

Transport operators, pitstop areas, businesses that serve truck drivers are encouraged to print and share an infographic poster highlighting mental health for truck drivers. The poster provides details contact details for counselling.

``We hope the symbol encourages more conversations and people to reach out and ask for help when they need it,’’ said Carol McGeady, general manager at NZ Trucking Association (NZTA).

``These will be turned into truck window stickers and will be available in time for Mental Health Week. Display this on the side window of your truck or car, or on your office window to raise awareness around supporting trucker’s mental health.’’

A number of truck stop events are planned during this week.

Today at the Toll Depot in Dunedin the NZTA Road Safety Team will be running their “Healthy Truck Driver” programme for trucking companies in Dunedin. Topics include mental health (namely stress and depression), alcohol and drugs, and fatigue.

On Thursday the Glasnevin Weigh Bridge at Waipara, North Canterbury, Teletrac Navman, NZ Trucking Association, CVST and BP will run a Mental Health Awareness Day offering giveaways and information sessions.

Included are giveaway stretch bands for standing exercise while on the road with demonstrations of how to use the bands by Cody Hunter, Teletrac Navman business development manager and fitness trainer.