4 Important Sleep Apnea Issues Facing the Trucking Industry Today

UPDATE TO ARTICLE: We stepped our toes into the discussion on trucking and sleep apnea and after doing so then reached out to Bob Stanton. He then took about an hour of his time (huge thank you) telling us that we have ALOT more to learn. This is an intense and very in-depth topic that has many facets to it. We hope to be able to work with experts in the trucking industry like Bob (Truckers for a Cause) that will be open with their feedback on this topic and help provide articles/facts they have available so we can do our best to be a valuable resource for those in the trucking industry suffering from sleep apnea as well. Our goal is to help to educate those suffering with sleep apnea so that they can find a solution that is best fit for their individual needs. Here are a few links to information that Bob shared with us as well that would be of interest to anyone reading this article. • FMCSA ISSUES ADVISORY ON SLEEP APNEA • SLEEP APNEA TESTING IN TRANSPORTATION: IT’S NOT MEDICAL GUIDANCE ANYMORE, IT’S FULL BLOWN POLITICS NOW. Sleep apnea is one of the most pressing issues facing the trucking industry today. According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) commissioned study, out of 3.4 million commercial drivers, approximately 26 percent of drivers suffer from some form of sleep apnea. An estimated nine percent of drivers have moderate to severe sleep apnea. These shockingly high numbers are an issue not only for the truckers themselves, but for the trucking industry and the highway safety of everyone. Let's take a closer look at the four big issues surrounding sleep apnea and the trucking industry today:

Sleep Apnea & Highway Safety.

Researchers have found that drivers with sleep apnea are 15 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than those not suffering from OSA. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that 30-40 percent of all large truck crashes involve driver fatigue. It is likely that a significant number of these crashes, injuries, and fatalities could be prevented if commercial drivers were diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea & Driver Health.

Trucking affects sleep apnea and sleep apnea affects trucking. Currently, the trucking lifestyle leads to a number of driver health issues, including obesity, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep. These issues can cause more serious health problems, including sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Trying to solve the problem of sleep apnea in the trucking industry will be talking about driver health more generally.

Sleep Apnea Screening.

How and when should commercial drivers be screened for sleep apnea? Who should pay for the screening? And how should drivers expect to be treated by their employers after their diagnosis. While several federal organizations are working on answers to these questions currently, truckers and the trucking industry are worried that tight screening regulations could be costly. At the same time, many are concerned that screening will unfairly target drivers with high BMIs or other health issues.

Sleep Apnea Treatments for Commercial Drivers.

Whatever the regulations are and whatever the regulations will be in the future, the most important part of solving the sleep apnea issue is getting drivers accurately diagnosed and efficiently treated. While several effective treatments exist for treating sleep apnea, compliance can be low. For example, many using CPAP devices are non-compliant. While sleep apnea surgery is another viable option the cost and recovery time has been a concern. The appropriate treatment option will vary for each individual and education will be key. Read more about sleep apnea and commercial trucking.