Page 8 - Newcom

SASKATCHEWAN
Study conducted on Alberta long-haul drivers
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN
Alberta truck drivers recently had the chance to provide insight into their health and working condi- tions for a new study.
The University of Saskatchewan’s School of Public Health traveled across Alberta looking for long-haul truck drivers to participate in a study that collected information on their health and wellness, lifestyle, and working conditions.
Dr. Alexander Crizzle, a faculty member of the School of Public Health, led the effort and has been interested in road safety for some time.
The majority of Crizzle’s
research over the years has been conducted on private vehicles, but in 2014, he was asked to be part of a project examining the health and wellness of commer- cial drivers, a project funded
by Transport Canada, which included an environmental scan consisting of a literature review and stakeholder consultations.
“We were also asked to provide recommendations for how to improve the health and well-
ness of commercial motor vehicle drivers, such as collecting base- line information on Canadian drivers, as there is very limited information in Canada,” said Crizzle. “Since 2014, we have taken
gradual steps to build on our recommendations.”
Alberta’s Ministry of Labour provides grants focused on improving occupational health. Because Crizzle and his team secured funding from an Alberta agency, they focused their research on truck drivers from the Wild Rose province.
The study consisted of three components: a survey, a few objec- tive health measurements, such as height, weight, and blood pres- sure, and ultimately an interview.
Crizzle was hoping to have approximately 400 drivers partic- ipate in the study, which wrapped up Sept. 16.
“We are trying to get infor- mation on several things,” said Crizzle. “The general health and wellness of long-haul
truck drivers. This includes the number of drivers with medical conditions, but also those who may have risk factors for poor health, such as access to poor foods, lack of exercise, fatigue, and obesity.”
The study also looked to eval- uate truck drivers’ environment, such as where they stop for gas, food, showers, to access the inter- net, and other services.
“We are asking questions on a wide range of issues,” said Crizzle, “including the use of electronic
logs, parking, and rest areas, access to food, truck driver train- ing, and even potential issues related to marijuana use.”
“Typically, it is difficult to find support for any type of change, particularly in the government, without a large enough sample of drivers that can provide their thoughts and perspectives.”
– Dr. Alexander Crizzle
All three aspects of the study took around an hour to complete. The collection of data began
Aug. 5 in Lloydminster, Alta.,
and moved to Edmonton Aug.
10. Crizzle and his research team then moved to Red Deer Aug. 24, before heading to Calgary Aug. 29-31 and again Sept. 4-8 at the Flying J truck stop. Their last stop was at the Husky truck stop in Medicine Hat Sept. 9-15.
Drivers who partook in the study received $20 to complete the survey, $10 for the health measurements, and another $20 for the interview.
“It’s important for long-haul truck drivers to participate,”
said Crizzle. “Typically, it is dif- ficult to find support for any
type of change, particularly in
the government, without a large enough sample of drivers that can provide their thoughts and per- spectives.” TW
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