Truck drivers: fatigue and working time

Introduction
Drivers’ work conditions have been studied by institutions concerned with life quality and occupational health and safety. In a context of promoting citizenship and social responsibility, it is recommended that institutions responsible for occupational safety and health research to develop and implement effective actions to improve this scenario considering as criteria the amount of work accidents, as well as the seriousness of injuries and economic importance of the transportation sector to the country sustainable development. According to this scenario, this study aims to obtain, organize and consolidate information on truck drivers’ work conditions.

Methods
It was methodologically structured from secondary data research and through interviews with representative of the transportation sector to incorporate relevant demands and placements either from trade unions as from business sector and by application of a tested and validated questionnaire for 300 load truck drivers.

Results
Approximately 50% of truckers feel stressed for working at night, 50% feel stressed when working long hours continuously, 70% don’t sleep enough hours needed to rest. They drive on average 11 hours a day, sleep in average 6 hours, perform on average 10 trips per month, covering 1500 km in each trip and 69% admit they do not have the sleeping hours needed to rest.

Discussion
The study reveals that truck drivers living and working conditions are not appropriate and may determine a level of fatigue that affects professional performance. 
The analysis of occurrence of the high number of traffic accidents, of work accidents and occupational diseases, reflects the complexity of the issue, confirming its importance and indicates the need for coordinated action among multiple institutional actors to overcome the present conditions of occupational safety and health for the sector.