Sleep Apnoea and the HGV Driver

[Richard]

Sleep Apnoea and the HGV Driver

Everyone following this site will be pleased to learn that I have been invited by Skills for Logistics, the Government body that organises the Driver CPC courses, to write a paper on OSA that can be delivered as part of a CPC course.

This is a big step forward because it will mean every trucker in the UK, over a five year period will learn of OSA its dangers and, more importantly, how to get treated.

Currently, a commercial driver takes a medical (the D4) every five years and must accrue 35 hours of training over the same period to acquire his Driver CPC. Without a CPC he will not gain employment as a driver.

The D4 medical is a tick-box exercise, among other questions it asks 'Do you have sleep apnoea?' The driver is quite likely to say 'No', however, if he sees the disorder spelt out in the CPC course he may be shocked into finding treatment.

Richard

[Tigers Fan]

Nice one, Richard! Will you post a copy of your paper here?

TF

[AAAMedical]

Truck Driver Stats- How to fix OSA

30% of truck drivers are diagnosed with sleep apnea; that is 1 in 3 truck drivers that have sleep apnea. 80% of actual drivers may have sleep apnea but have not been diagnosed or checked out. Fatigue (an effect of Sleep Apnea) results in 13% of truck accidents.

A recent statistic has shown that in the year 2000: 800,000 accidents were OSA (Sleep Apnea) related. Not taking care of Sleep Apnea could result in disqualification of trucking rights within a company.

Many Commercial truck drivers want to take care of the problem, but don't know where and how.

[US focused ad removed]

[Fredxx]

Do you think that medical firm (based in Idaho, US) noticed they are posting an advertisement for sleep studies in America, and posting statistics for American truck drivers noticed that they are posting on a .co.uk web forum... not a lot of use for UK lorry drivers.

[Richard]

They're not the only ones, Fred!

A couple of weeks ago I received an offer of a King-size mattress made in the north-west of the USA.

One mattress, made in San Francisco and delivered to UK? I know the Californians are at the leading edge of technological entrepreneurs, but, come on!

Richard

[Fredxx]

Hope they were offering free delivery!

[AAAMedical]

FredX- Stats

@FredX

Although these stats are American, many people may visit this forum searching for information on how to help a friend or colleague. Word of mouth or online referencing is key to any righteous cause to spread. My original post purpose was to educate any who are not aware, and to help offer an ideas to those who may know people in need.

Many forums have people posting helpful sites and info; I am among one.

[AAAMedical]

Commercial Drivers- aid to sleep apnea

@ previous posts,

This info may help direct those who have questions about sleep apnea dealing with commercial drivers of any kind.

30% of truck drivers are diagnosed with sleep apnea; that is 1 in 3 truck drivers that have sleep apnea. 80% of actual drivers may have sleep apnea but have not been diagnosed or checked out. Fatigue (an effect of Sleep Apnea) results in 13% of truck accidents.

A recent statistic has shown that in the year 2000: 800,000 accidents were OSA (Sleep Apnea) related. Not taking care of Sleep Apnea could result in disqualification of trucking rights within a company.

Many Commercial truck drivers want to take care of the problem, but don't know where and how.

[US Focused ad removed]

[Richard]

Sleep Apnoea and the HGV driver

I understand your point, whoever you are.

There are around half a million registered commercial drivers in the UK, driving anything from a small delivery van to a 40-tonne artic. Their schedules vary, but there is one common factor - making that delivery on-time no matter what.

Around 4/5% of those drivers have Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, and the great majority of those don't know they have it. And if they did, what would they do about it anyway?

A driver battling with daytime sleepiness is stuck between a rock and a hard place: his employer doesn't want to know about OSA and never mentions it, because he doesn't want to fork out for screening his drivers for OSA; and the driver won't tell his boss how sleepy he feels during the day because he might lose his job.

As if that were not bad enough, if he does the decent thing and seeks medical help and is diagnosed with OSA, he must surrender his licence, and lose his job. If he keeps his head down and ignores his faltering health, he becomes 10 times more likely to have an accident, a huge risk to other road users. And when he has an accident, as he inevitably will, then he will certainly lose his licence, and for a good deal longer than if he had surrendered it to the DVLA in the first place. And he will go to prison.

The transport industry in the UK is far more strongly regulated than in the US; the industry here has become obsessed with abiding by Government regulations, filling in forms for this and complying with that whilst ignoring the most fundamental issue.

The health of the truck-driver is usually ignored: "The health of our drivers is their own problem, full stop."

To try and do something about this situation, you will shortly find the website www.TruckersHealth.org.uk which will empower the driver to take control of his health and find a fast-track solution to his problem. You can also visit www.facebook.com/TruckersHealth and click on the 'like' button.

Despite the differences in legislation and health-care between the UK and US, OSA is a common problem in both countries. I believe the internet has a part to play in addressing the issue of Sleep Apnoea and the HGV Driver? I would be pleased to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Richard

[Dirty Trucker 68]

I think it would be a good idea to Screen all Truck drivers as part of the medical which is required every 5yrs,when the driver is 45yrs+.I cant belive how much better i feel for useing CPAP,and im sure a number of my colleuges could also benefit from it.

[Richard]

Hi DT,

There is a section in the new 5-yearly medical exam., which all drivers must attend, which asks the question: Do you have OSA? And what's the most likely reply to that question? 'Nah, not me, doc.' So the doctor moves on to the next question.

Bear in mind that for this medical the driver does not have to use his own GP, who would obviously know his history. There are any number of medics setting up specifically to do the Drivers Medical, (you can find them by putting precisely those key-words into a Google search).

A short time ago I asked one of these 'Drivers Medics' what he would do if he came across a driver he strongly suspected of having OSA. His reply? 'I would refer him back to his own GP.' This medical has more holes in it than a string bag.

The purpose of the 2009 legislation affecting HGV drivers is to ensure, by 2014 every driver has a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), and as part of that he must pass a medical. Without a CPC he won't be able to work, so at least that represents a good opportunity to raise the standard of driving and of drivers' health. But there is still a long way to go.

Richard

[Richard]

Sleep Apnoea and the HGV Driver

A lady from Orpington, Kent, whose son was left badly brain-damaged after a crash involving a truck-driver later diagnosed with OSA is appealing for signatures for a petition she is starting:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9193032.Campaign_to_raise_awareness_of_sleep_disorder_after_fatal_crash/

and: epetitions.gov.uk/petitions/5851

Please give her your support.

Richard

[Richard]

The Truckers Health website is nearing completion, and I am thrilled with the contacts I have made. There's support from the British Lung Foundation, BRAKE, the road safety charity, the Central Motorway Police Group, (you will have seen them on TV) and Driving for Better Business, the commercial off-shoot of the Department for Transport.

The question of commercial drivers and 'daytime tiredness' will very likely be raised in Parliament before long. This will be a big step forward to bringing OSA and the commercial driver out of the shadows.

These are the points I shall be asking for when I meet the MP next week:

1. A driver should have nothing to fear by being honest and up-front with his employer about his daytime tiredness and seeking treatment.

2. The transport industry should adopt a more pro-active, and sympathetic view towards their drivers' health.

3. The GP should be more aware of OSA and refer his patient for diagnosis as a first step rather than expect diet and exercise to solve the drivers' problem.

4. The DVLA should adopt a 'fast-track' for dealing with surrendered Class2 driving-licences.

5. Commercial drivers aged 30 and over should submit to a detailed medical every two years.

If any member of this forum has a specific pouint they believe should be included, then please post them here.

Richard

[gearjammer]

hi richard
glad to see that things are really progressing with the truckers health website. there are a couple of things i would like to ask though about the list of questions you will be/have asked the MP you will be talking to


1: point 4 about fast tracking from the DVLA :- I believe that the whole process should be fast tracked from the beginning. from the moment you fist see your doctor right through to the dvla. (anyone new to this thread can read my story and see how incredibly lucky I was, good doctor who suspected sleep apnoea straight away, excellent sleep clinic "Liverpool Heart & Chest Broadgreen", My own primary care trust who agreed to fund any equipment I needed including a battery pack so that I can use the CPAP mask in the wagon when on nights away and last but not least the DVLA who in my particular case I believe couldn't have been more helpful in getting my licence back to me)
I was off work for thee months, which I know is still a long time but most people wait longer than that just to get an appointment for the initial tests.


2: Point 5 about medicals :- Now that I am officially diagnosed as having sleep apnoea my licence is only valid for 12 months at a time (mine is due up in January 2012) I don't know yet wether I have to have full medical or if they (DVLA) just check to see if I am still in compliance with what they need for it to be renewed and also wether I have to pay for it to be renewed

So if what you propose comes into being that would mean that I would have to have a full medical every 12 months (who pays) add that to all the other things we have to pay for

medical (think of a number and double it if you go to your own Dr)
tacho card (£20-£40 every 5 yrs)
driver CPC (approx £500 every 5yrs)
ADR "chemical licence" (£300-£600 every 5yrs)
and there are probably other things I have forgotten

I know this has been written purely from a wagon drivers point of view and i'm sorry for ranting on a bit but hey ho that's what I am, maybe sleep apnoea tests and any resulting medicals should be free to wagon drivers on the NHS, not many people out there have to PAY just to stay in a job

Once again sorry for the rant.

keep up the good work

Ian

[symmit]

So if what you propose comes into being that would mean that I would have to have a full medical every 12 months (who pays) add that to all the other things we have to pay for

medical (think of a number and double it if you go to your own Dr)
tacho card (£20-£40 every 5 yrs)
driver CPC (approx £500 every 5yrs)
ADR "chemical licence" (£300-£600 every 5yrs)
and there are probably other things I have forgotten

I know this has been written purely from a wagon drivers point of view and i'm sorry for ranting on a bit but hey ho that's what I am, maybe sleep apnoea tests and any resulting medicals should be free to wagon drivers on the NHS, not many people out there have to PAY just to stay in a job
Ian

Ian - whatever trade you are in you have to invest in the professional services required to keep you trained, healthy and safe in your job, after a while you stop noticing the outgoings!