The truck driver is exposed to special strains: fatigue from long drives, vibrations and back strain, stress from loading and unloading and risks in traffic. Here are the most important work environment factors and what you can do about them.
Introduction
Truck driving is a physically and mentally demanding job. The rules for driving and rest time (EU 561/2006) are in themselves a work environment tool — they set limits on driving, precisely because fatigue behind the wheel is one of the biggest risk factors. But there's more to watch out for than just breaks.
Fatigue and attention
- 01Fatigue is considered one of the most common contributing factors to serious truck accidents (indicative — exact percentage depends on calculation).
- 02Night shifts and early morning driving typically increase risk because natural sleep pressure is often greatest at night and late afternoon.
- 03A short break can improve reaction time — plan your break actively rather than continuing on willpower.
- 04Caffeine can give a short-term boost but is not a substitute for sleep.
Whole body vibrations and back strain
Lange dage bag rattet udsætter dig for helkropsvibrationer fra vej og opbygning. EU's vibrationsdirektiv (2002/44/EF) sætter en daglig eksponering A(8) = 0,5 m/s² som aktionsværdi og 1,15 m/s² som grænseværdi. Dårlig sædeindstilling, hård vejbelægning og lange strækninger øger eksponeringen.
- 01Adjust the seat correctly: hips around or slightly above a right angle (guideline), arms relaxed and back supported in the lumbar.
- 02Choose a vehicle with air-suspended seat (AM-class air seat significantly reduces vibrations).
- 03Stretch and move during breaks — the lumbar spine cannot tolerate static loading for hours.
Loading and unloading — lifting and falling
- 01Up and down from the loading edge is the most common cause of falls and injuries for drivers.
- 02Always wear slip-resistant shoes with ankle support; hold onto handholds and do not reach.
- 03Heavy loads: use pallet jacks, sack trucks or forklifts instead of manual lifting.
- 04Lift with your legs, keep the load close to your body, turn with your whole body — never just with your back.
Risks in traffic
- 01Lange standselængder: en lastbil ved 80 km/t har standselængde på ca. 55–105 m afhængigt af føre og µ (µ≈0,6 god vej, µ≈0,3 vådt/glat) — se artiklen »Bremse- og standselængde«.
- 02Sway When Load Shifts: Avoid Sudden Steering Movements at Higher Speed with Heavy Load.
- 03Cyclists and pedestrians in cities: be extra careful at right turns — large blind spots.
- 04Wind impact at side passage or bridge — keep speed down and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Limit values — vibration and noise
Workplace rules establish specific action and limit values. When the action value is reached, the employer must take measures; the limit value must never be exceeded.
| Load | Action value | Limit value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-body vibration A(8) | 0,5 m/s² | 1,15 m/s² | Bek. 682/2005; AT-vejl. D.6.7; 2002/44/EF |
| Noise (daily, LEX,8h) | 80 dB(A) lower / 85 dB(A) upper | 87 dB(A) | AT-vejl. D.6.1; 2003/10/EF |
At 80 dB(A) hearing protection must be provided, at 85 dB(A) it must be used, and 87 dB(A) is the limit value (measured with hearing protection attenuation included). Engine noise, air brakes and load handling can together bring a driver day close to the limits.
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