Keep Trucking Safe February 2021 Newsletter

Never Fool with an Air Tool

Whether using grinders, cutters, drills, chipping hammers, ratchets, or impact wrenches, safe handling is essential to prevent injuries. While these powerful air tools help make for quick and easy repair work, most operate between 70 and 100 pounds per square inch (psi). Some even reach 2,000 foot-pounds of torque. A broken or loose attachment ejected at those ratings hits you, hard! Day-to-day, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward positions can also hurt – even tripping over a hose. You can greatly reduce your risks before using a tool by reading the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are a few other basic tips for air tool safety.

A Toolkit to Educate Employees about COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic has been with us for over a year. During that time, scientists and researchers have worked hard to develop vaccines that will provide a strong defense against infection. Making vaccination effective requires spreading the word and making sure that essential workers know that vaccines are safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designed a COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers to help employers build confidence in this important new vaccine. The toolkit can help trucking companies educate their workforce about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. 

Stay Upbeat with a Healthy Heart

American Heart Month takes place each February to raise awareness of the dangers of heart disease. Since its first observance in 1964, improvements in medical research, treatment, and public education have greatly helped people live longer and healthier lives. But heart disease is still America’s top health threat and killer, claiming around 2,300 lives each day.

Heart disease is a major health problem among truck drivers. Research shows that truck drivers have higher heart disease rates than other workers. Truck drivers also have a higher prevalence of heart disease risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and smoking. These risks stem from lifestyle and occupational factors such as irregular schedules, long hours, physical inactivity, high stress, and limited healthy food options on the road. Age, gender, family history, and social factors can also influence a person’s risk of heart disease. People with poor heart health are also at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.