DRIVING THE ECONOMY: HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF TRUCK DRIVERS

Transcription

1 DRIVING THE ECONOMY: HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF TRUCK DRIVERS

2 Executive Summary Trucks transport a significant amount of India s goods & freight, and truck drivers play a key role in moving the nation s economy forward. Commercial vehicles far outweigh the railways and other modes of transportation in carrying cargo across the country; India has one of the largest road networks in the world and has more than 6.6 million trucks 1 plying across the length and breadth of the subcontinent. This report drives special attention to truck drivers who face extraordinary stress and risks due to their nature of work. The health of India s commercial vehicle drivers is a critical issue not just from a humanitarian point of view but even as an economic indicator. To examine the lifestyle of truck drivers and understand their life on the road and their awareness regarding the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, Kantar IMRB in association with Castrol India conducted a month-long research study in April- May 2018, interacting with more than 1,000 truck drivers across four major metros - Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. The survey considered a sample of truck drivers, aged between 25 and 55. The objective of the survey was to understand the driving health issues faced by truckers. The study throws light on the working conditions of a truck driver. 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. *Health issue in the following report is defined as physical stress, lack of sleep, obesity, back pain, joint pain, neck pain, eye sight issues, loneliness, breathlessness / breathing problems, mental stress. Long trips are the norm and truckers are often driving more than 12 hours a day. Drivers frequently work irregular shifts and without relief on long hauls. The physical stress is compounded by the 1 Number of trucks sold in the past 10 years as per SIAM 2

3 The research has revealed that 53%** of the drivers suffer from some health* issue; while 23%** of the driver s battle lack of sleep, about 18%** face physical stress and 12%** face mental stress. In addition, 67%** of the community visit doctor as and when required. Clearly, the truck driver community is in need of health guidance and wellness initiatives and some form of wellness intervention would benefit the community and help them lead a fuller life. Tough Working Conditions Road safety requires commercial vehicle drivers to be alert and vigilant when driving. In India, truck drivers are behind the wheel for long hours every day, and on the road for days at a stretch, driving in India s exacting tropical climate with its extreme hot and wet seasons, getting jolted on bad roads and offroad conditions. The poor work conditions impact the overall health of drivers. The resultant outcome is a constant state of driver fatigue, which is a critical challenge for drivers - and the transport industry. mental stress of being responsible for deadlines and vehicular breakdowns. These conditions are common to truck drivers and result in health issues. Long working hours: Truck drivers consistently clock abnormally high working hours. About half (48%**) of the drivers said on an average they took more than 12 trips a Number of driving hours** 3

4 THE AVERAGE DURATION OF A TRIP FOR 50% ** OF THE DRIVERS IN THE SAMPLE IS 12 + HOURS. month, with the average duration of a trip for 50%** of the drivers is more than 12 hours. These frequent trips of long durations translate to a majority of the drivers spending most of their days on the road, away from home. The odd and irregular duty hours impact the overall health of the drivers. Sedentary lifestyles: Majority of the truck drivers in India lead sedentary lives, as they sit for long hours behind the wheel, with inadequate physical exercise. This is a key factor in drivers experiencing physical stress and lifestyle diseases. The percentage of drivers who drive for more than 8 hours a day is as high as 63%**. 56%** of the drivers take one or two short breaks, and 78%** take one or two long breaks. However, there are about 5%** of truck drivers who carry on without a short break and 6%** who carry on without a long break. This details how Indian truck drivers are accustomed to working long hours without adequate breaks or physical exercise, which eventually results in low fitness levels over a period of time. Inadequate sleeping conditions: A common proximate cause of fatigue among truck drivers is partial sleep restriction, which in turn causes semi-chronic sleepiness. This is caused by poor sleeping conditions and irregular sleeping habits. Truck drivers typically sleep inside their trucks; the next most common spot is by the roadside. This research study has revealed that the sleep duration of truck drivers is inadequate by normal standards. A good 35%** of truck drivers sleep for just 2 4 hours in a day while on assignment, while another 31%** sleep for just 4 to 6 hours. And 25%** of the drivers sleep 2 hours or less in a day while on assignment. This shows that most of the truck drivers are on the road driving without getting enough sleep. Sleep Location** CONTINUOUS DRIVING: 33% ** DRIVERS IN THE SAMPLE DRIVE FOR 4 TO 6 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY. AND 31% ** DRIVE FOR 6 TO 8 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY. 15% ** DRIVE FOR OVER 8 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY 4

5 WHILE ON ASSIGNMENT: 25%** OF TRUCK DRIVERS SLEEP LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 2 HOURS 35%** SLEEP FOR ONLY 2 TO 4 HOURS 31%** SLEEP FOR 4 TO 6 HOURS routes to new destinations, ensuring that they deliver their cargo on time, are all stress factors that drivers experience regularly. An added mental burden is that truck drivers are also responsible for the maintenance and smooth running of their vehicles. Truck drivers have to deal with truck break-downs regularly with issues ranging from tyre punctures and battery problems to shock absorbers giving away and engine breakdowns. This adds to the stress levels of drivers as they face immense pressures to reach the destinations by the deadline. NO FIXED TRAVEL ROUTE: Another key fact that has emerged is that 57%** of the drivers claim to drive the most at night. Mental stress: Apart from the physical conditions of their working lives, truck drivers also experience mental stress. Navigating their vehicles on bad roads, determining FOR 52%** TRUCK DRIVERS IN THESE 4 CITIES, THE TRAVEL ROUTE MOSTLY VARIES AS PER THE ASSIGNMENT. 5

6 Personal Attitudes The study has shown an interesting fact that truck drivers may themselves not fully recognize the harmful effects of their work schedules on their own lives until the long-term effects become evident. Truck drivers tend to underestimate the harmful impact of their jobs on their health and well-being. MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LIFE: 32% ** RESPONDED MONEY 32% ** RESPONDED FAMILY 14% ** RESPONDED HEALTH feel they are completely fit. This may be the reason why most of them do not take care of their health or have any fitness routine in place, on or off the road. Health Issues Given the quantum of health issues faced by truck drivers and their contribution to the economy, there is cause for concern at an industry level. The tough, demanding conditions of their jobs have led to drivers being prone to a range of health problems. Those who described health* problems stated that they mostly preferred to deal with issues through routes such as listening to music, walking, meditation, etc. Medical intervention was given a low priority. Health problems faced by truckers** Low priority: In spite of being on the road for long durations under stressful conditions, most of India s truck drivers maintain that health is not a big priority for them. Health does not feature amongst the top 3 priorities for 63%** of truck drivers. 68%** of truck drivers in the 4 metros said that they ACTIVITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH: AMONG THE SAMPLE OF TRUCK DRIVERS IN THESE 4 CITIES, 32% ** DO NO ACTIVITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH. 29% ** REGULARLY WALK OR JOG. 6

7 Body pain: CAUSES OF BACK PAIN: 61%** TRUCK DRIVERS WHO CLAIM THAT THEY ARE FACING A PROBLEM OF BACK PAIN, ATTRIBUTE IT TO CONTINUOUS / NON-STOP DRIVING. 42%** ATTRIBUTED IT TO LONG JOURNEYS, AND 31%** SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF ROAD CONDITIONS. Often, for the truck drivers poor working conditions result in several symptoms of poor health. The long hours of sitting in fixed positions had an impact with pain showing up as a common symptom for truck drivers. How do they deal with the pain? Only 14%** afflicted by back pain said they would undertake a general medical consultation. The rest named several other options such as listening to music, walking, jogging, physical exercise, or following a particular diet. Sleep deprivation: Driver fatigue is a huge risk that arises out of the unhealthy lifestyles followed by drivers. The long hours on the road with poor sleeping conditions takes a toll. 7

8 About a quarter of the drivers (23%**) face the problem of lack of sleep. These are likely caused due to a combination of long hours of driving to reach destinations on time and number of assignments undertaken. How do they deal with the lack of sleep? About half (49%**) cope by listening to music, while 14%** opt for a regular walk / jog. Only 4%** said they would resort to general medical consultation. Physical and mental stress: 18%** of the drivers claimed they were dealing with physical stress and 12%** claimed they were dealing with mental stress. This is likely arising out of the hard lifestyles the poor physical conditions and the stress of reaching destinations on deadlines. Loneliness is also an area of concern, as voiced by 10%** of the truck drivers. DEALING WITH STRESS: 58% ** TRUCK DRIVERS IN THESE 4 CITIES WHO CLAIM TO FACE PHYSICAL STRESS, DEAL WITH IT BY LISTENING TO MUSIC. 29% ** TRIED MEDICATION. How do they deal with stress? Most common choices were listening to music, with the odd trucker resorting to meditation. Lifestyle diseases: 88%** of the drivers claimed that they had no ailments listed High Blood pressure, Low Blood pressure, Diabetes, Thyroid, Asthma. Ailments** 8

9 Heathcare Despite the fact truck drivers face formidable health issues that are a direct outcome of the hazardous nature of their jobs and working conditions, as a community, the drivers tend to avoid or ignore medical needs. Avoidance of medical treatment: Truck drivers are less inclined to opt for medical solutions to their health problems. There is a general apathy towards health care among truckers. MEDICAL CHECKUP: 62% ** TRUCK DRIVERS HAVE NOT UNDERGONE ANY MEDICAL CHECKUP LAST YEAR. 67%** of the community visit doctor as and when required. When asked why, the drivers state that they do not feel the need to visit a doctor. Insurance: More than a third (36%**) do not have life insurance, with 32%** of them saying they do not feel the need for it. Frequency of doctor visits for medical consultation Total Once a week or more often - Once in 15 days - Once a month 4 Once in 3 months 6 Once in 6 months 9 Once in a year or less often 13 No such fixed frequency - as and when required 67 Reasons for not going for medical check-ups Total It is expensive 5 Don t have time 14 The medical / diagnostic center is far way 4 Don t feel the need of it 40 I prefer to do only if doctors ask to do 44 Other 2 9

10 Alternate Solution Given the erratic timings of the truck driver s life and the number of days spent away from home, it is not easy for them to follow a typical health regimen and diet. Yoga is one possible solution for truck drivers. Yoga will enable them to stretch muscles, improve mind-body coordination, reduce physical and mental stress, improve circulation, enable better sleep patterns, etc. It s a regimen they can follow even when on the road. Summary To examine the current status of the occupational safety and health of commercial truck drivers in India, Kantar IMRB and Castrol India conducted a month-long research study in April-May 2018, interacting with more than 1,000 truck drivers across four major metros - Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. The survey considered a sample of truck drivers, aged between 25 and 55. The objective of the survey was to understand driver well-being and personal attitudes towards health. Tough working conditions: Truck drivers are on the road for days, spending long hours behind the wheel, with inadequate physical exercise and poor sleeping conditions. Personal attitudes: They visit a doctor or do medical check-ups only when it is absolutely necessary. They give health a low priority. Health* Issues: 53%** of the drivers suffer from some health* issue; while 23%** of the driver s battle lack of sleep, about 18%** face physical stress Healthcare: 67%** of the community visit a doctor as and when required. More than a third (36%**) don t have life insurance. Considering their living and working styles, yoga could be the solution to improve fitness levels and enhance trucker health parameters 10

11 Annexure Kantar IMRB has conducted an independent truck driver study as follows: Project Name: Yoga Areas covered: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata Sample covered: 1031 Truck drivers Sampling method: The areas to recruit the sample were selected purposively, where the TG has a high probability of occurrence. The areas like truck depots, transport centres were visited and in those areas, truck drivers were selected basis their eligibility for the survey. The truck drivers were contacted in the 4 metros. The eligibility criteria (TG definition) Males, Yrs. NCCS A, B, C, D Owner driver / only driver Tonnage: Tonnes Decides himself on which engine oil to be used Prefers to service his vehicles in independent workshops The sample details - Total (N=1031), Mumbai (N=261), Delhi (N=257), Chennai (N=261), Kolkata (N=252) The respondents were contacted in these 4 metros Sampling error at 95% confidence level: Head SS Sample error Overall 1031 ±3.05% Mumbai 261 ±6.07% Delhi 257 ±6.11% Chennai 261 ±6.07% Kolkata 252 ±6.17% Interview technique: Face to Face CAPI Time period: April - May 2018 Brands Covered: NONE 11

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