ATN speaks to a Transport for NSW spokesperson about the progress on its Freight Fit Program, which started its pilot earlier this year
Driver health has quickly become an area of focus for research and scrutiny within the transport industry, both physical and mental.
It’s an industry that can be taxing on its workers if those physical and mental needs aren’t correctly addressed. The New South Wales government is trying to do just that, with the introduction of its Freight Fit Program earlier in the year.
Research from the federal government’s national work health and safety body Comcare in 2022 unearthed some concerning numbers for drivers and transport workers across Australia.
The Driving Health project was conducted to understand and improve the health and wellbeing of drivers.
Some of the project’s findings included:
- Almost a third of drivers had three or more diagnosed medical conditions, which is four times greater than the average for Australians
- The most common medical conditions for drivers are back problems, high blood pressure, and mental health problems
- Over half of drivers are categorised as obese
- Over 60 per cent of drivers report experiencing fatigue whilst working and one in ten admitted nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the previous year
- Musculoskeletal injuries account for 76,000 lost weeks of work every year
The last point was a key sticking point for Transport for NSW. The Freight Fit initiative aims to dramatically decrease preventable injuries to workers.
A pilot was launched based off feedback from drivers back in January, with fitness equipment installed at heavy vehicle rest stops north and south bound in Clybucca, north of Kempsey, NSW.
RELATED STORY: NSW begins work on Sydney heavy vehicle rest area
ATN caught up with the Transport for NSW team to learn more about the program, and how it has been received so far.
“A key priority for Transport for NSW is to ensure that heavy vehicle drivers have safe, and reliable access to dedicated rest areas, so that they can manage their fatigue and maintain good health and wellbeing at work,” a TfNSW spokesperson says.
“The Be Freight Fit project aims to provide the road freight industry with an opportunity to manage their rest and break times in a way that promotes improved health and wellbeing, producing positive outcomes for its workforce.“
The exercise equipment installed at the rest areas includes an elliptical trainer and body twist for cardio, pulldown, pull up and leg raise machines for upper body strength, leg press machines for lower body strength and stretch stations for flexibility.
All equipment also comes with instructional signage in line with Australian standards for outdoor fitness equipment.
With a feedback survey available for drivers who use the exercise equipment, the spokesperson says it has received moderate use so far.
“Equipment selected for the sites was tailored to meet the specific health concerns of heavy vehicle drivers,” they say.
“They address upper and lower body strength, cardiovascular health and circulation, and stretches to relieve tightness and aches.
“Since installation, the equipment has been used by truck drivers and light vehicle drivers who take advantage of the opportunity to stretch and participate in low intensity cardio.“
While the pilot has not yet reached its conclusion, the spokesperson says it has been largely supported by the transport industry.
“At the time of launch, the pilot received broad industry support, with the acknowledgement there is more work to be done in the rest stop space. The pilot is still under evaluation,” they say.
“The NSW Government is working to improve heavy vehicle rest stops throughout NSW, and is committed to improving the quality and quantity of heavy vehicle rest stops in collaboration with the road freight industry.“
However, the program has received criticism from truckies online across social media.
RELATED STORY: Female truckies say work still needed at rest stops
One driver, Trevor, asks whether all the logistics of the equipment being used was considered when the program began.
“Truck stops can certainly improve their food quality and variety, but outdoor gyms?” he questions.
“I am all for better, healthier truck drivers, but exercise equipment at rest areas? And where there are no showers?
“Has there been any surveys or consultation on the value in this expense? There’s no cover over the equipment on 31 degree days.”
Drivers have also been calling for several other changes to heavy vehicle rest areas, including greater access to amenities and more rest stops across Australia.
In NSW, the government has recently been seeking feedback on the location for a new rest stop in Western Sydney, with very few currently available in the city.
States were encouraged to apply for funding to upgrade existing and build new rest areas under the federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative earlier this year.