According to the sturdy, more than 50% of truckers face driving related health issues, yet, for 63% of the truck drivers, health does not feature among their top three priorities in life
A month long research study, covering over 1000 truckers has been carried out by Kantar IMRB, a leading research organisation, in association with Castrol India, to understand the health issues faced by truckers which can be directly linked to the hazardous nature of the job and working conditions.
Truck drivers have a high rate of occupation related injury and have among the highest rates of on-job fatality. The report delves into the lifestyle of truck drivers to understand driver well-being and personal attitudes towards health. According to the report, more than 50 per cent of truckers face driving related health issues, yet, for 63 per cent of the truck drivers, health does not feature amongst their top three priorities in life.
Unusually long working hours, long periods away from home and family, difficult road and driving conditions, all emerged as issues impacting their health and well-being. 50 per cent of truck drivers have trips where duration is over 12 hours and 46 per cent drive continuously for over six hours with no break. And yet 62 per cent drivers have not undergone a medical checkup in the past one year. This negligence of health amongst truck drivers is exacerbated by unfavorable environment and cultural factors. Consequentially, most truck drivers end up neglecting their own health.
Omer Dormen, Managing Director, Castrol India, said, “Castrol has a long and close relationship with truckers in India since the inception of the trucking industry in the country. Taking cognizance of the results that have come out from the recent survey, we are putting in further effort into finding solutions which could mitigate some of the challenges being faced by this section of society.”
Castrol also commissioned experts from The Yoga Institute in Mumbai to further investigate the issues and come up with some easy health tips which can be followed by the truckers even whilst they are on the go. Talking about the Yoga Aasanas incorporated, Dr Hansaji Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, said, "We are proud to associate with Castrol India in this unique initiative to drive awareness regarding the importance of Yoga for a healthy lifestyle amongst truck drivers.”