Most blue-collar professions come with more injury risk than white-collar or customer service jobs. For example, semi-truck drivers often work very long shifts and are away from their families for days at a time. They spend a lot of time on the road, which means that they are at higher risk than the average person for being involved in a major wreck.
They are also at risk of a host of occupational injuries and illnesses. Repetitive stress or repetitive strain is a concern in many professions, including commercial trucking. Semi-truck drivers could slowly develop injuries to their bodies that impede their ability to keep working.
What repetitive stress do truckers experience?
Repetitive stress can impact any part of the body someone uses frequently at work. Some truck drivers will hurt their backs, hips, shoulders or knees doing loading and unloading work. The repetitive stress that comes from lifting items to unload a trailer can add up over time and lead to significant symptoms.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a common issue among truck drivers. Spending hours gripping the steering wheel will strain the hands, wrists and forearms. Workers may then have pain or numbness, as well as reduced grip strength.
Repetitive stress injuries can be very difficult to treat and often require that people take a leave of absence from work. Sometimes, repetitive stress injuries will require surgery. Thankfully, workers’ compensation can help semi-truck drivers and other employees dealing with repetitive stress disorders. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help someone obtain disability pay and medical benefits when they cannot work.