Types of Workers Compensation Injuries

Article by Shawn Wise

Truck drivers tend to have a different set of muscular injuries compared to workers in other workforces.

Due to the nature of their work, involving many hours of seating, followed by brief periods of strenuous labor loading/unloading the truck, drivers are more prone to injury than those in other occupations.Many truck drivers fit the stereotype of being out of shape men who get little physical exercise and are in poor overall physical condition.Since most truckers are paid on the amount of miles they drive, their schedule can be erratic. Changing schedules and irregular sleep habits can cause poor overall health.These poor lifestyle habits directly impact the period of time the employee remains off work following an on-the-job injury.The most common situations where injuries occur include:slip and fall while climbing in or out of your truckpulled muscles during the process of loading the trailerstrains while unloading the trailercomplications during tying down loadsconnecting or disconnecting the trailer from the cabvehicle accident caused by shifting loadvehicle accident due to any other cause (neck, back, broken bone)loading dock slip and fallcrush injurycarpal tunnel (repetitive motion wrist)Accident Hazards:Slips, trips and falls from a tall cabin, cabin ladder or trailerOverturning of heavily loaded truck due to mechanical failure, difficult road conditions and/or excessive speed, head-on collisions, etc., with resulting life-threatening trapping of driver inside cabin or under the truckInjuries due to accidental bumping into unguarded rigid parts of truck or cargoInjuries while performing various functions of a heavy truck driver (e.g., field repair-work, tire change, unfastening tight bands and ropes, etc.)Danger of being crushed between tractor and trailer, or between trailers, while trying to disengage one from anotherAccidents caused by uncoupling the locking device securing the tractor to the trailerTraumas, such as hernia rupture, due to physical overexertion (changing tires, moving heavy pieces of cargo, fastening ropes, etc.)Explosions, chemical burns, acute intoxication by dangerous chemicals, etc., caused by hazardous cargo, such as explosives and flammables, strong chemicals, toxic substances and dust-forming bulk solidsAcute poisoning by exhaust gases, including carbon monoxideIncreased risk of road accidents due to lengthy driving periods (esp. for long-haul truck drivers), incl. at night, under bad weather and road conditions, and through traffic jams (risk is increased by fatigue due to long driving hours, short rest periods, drowsiness, hunger and thirst, use of alcohol, driving at high speeds due to the bonus wages system)[See Note]Fire hazards from spills and leaks of inflammables (usually in tank-trucks) that may ignite on contact with open flame, hot surfaces, electric sparks, atmospheric or electrostatic discharges, or as a result of mechanical shock following collision, etc.Explosion of over-inflated tiresExplosion of car battery<div style=”margin-top: 10px;”>Physical Hazards:</div><div style=”margin-top: 10px;”>Exposure to prolonged engine noise of high amplitude (> 80 dBA) and/or low frequency, resulting in early (severe headache) or delayed (hearing loss, etc.) detrimental effectsExposure to ionizing radiation while transporting radioisotopes (frequently kept, for security reasons, inside the driver’s cabin)Exposure to direct and reflected ultraviolet (solar) radiationExposure to potentially health-detrimental climatic factors, such as extreme cold or heat, or combinations of temperature, humidity and wind, resulting in frostbite or heat strokeExposure to sudden ambient temperature changes when leaving and entering the climatic-conditioned cabin, resulting in colds and/or rheumatic effectsWhole-body vibrations that may impair functions of chest, abdominal organs, and musculoskeletal system, contribute to driver’s fatigue and decrease his/her</div>Chemical Hazards:Exposure to various toxic substances (in solid, liquid, or gaseous state) while transporting hazardous cargoSkin diseases/conditions (dermatitis, skin sensitization, eczema, etc.) caused by chemicals: cleaning compounds, antifreeze and brake fluids, gasoline, diesel oil, oils, etc.Chronic effects caused by inhalation of gasoline and diesel-fuel fumes, and other exhaust fumes, containing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons, etc.Exposure to dust (esp. on desert roads, etc.)Exposure to various automobile fluids (e.g. battery fluid. brake fluid)Biological Hazards:Contamination and infection caused by exposure to biologically hazardous cargoErgonomic, psychosocial and organizational factors in Workers Compensation Insurance:Pains in the low back and in the joints (of legs and hands/arms) caused by prolonged driving, sometimes over bumpy roads, and/or inadequate seatOverexertion while moving or otherwise handling bulky and heavy loads, equipment,etc.Digestive tract disorders caused by irregular eating , bad diet habits and stressHypnotic hallucinations during periods of drowsiness, and psychic disorders caused by mental and emotional stress factorsSmoking inside cabin, contributing to health deteriorationVisual discomfort and eye problems caused by inadequate illumination and eyestrain (esp. when driving at dark time on interurban roads)Exposure to peer violence (e.g., in roadside cafeterias, etc.) and to petty and gang (incl. organized) crime attracted by valuable cargoDevelopment of lumbago due to poor vehicle suspension, uncomfortable seat, etc.Psychological discomfort, as a result of possibility of permanent control by cellular phone or radio communication equipmentMake sure sure to get adequate Workers Compensation Insurance to cover the above injuries and illnesses.