Professional drivers have a diverse of working time that do not allow them to visit a doctor or dentist. So they accumulate health problems, and often self-medicate and buy painkillers at nearest pharmacy. Some medications also affect the ride itself. Their health is also affected by fatigue, drowsiness, stress and burnout. These factors can lead to traffic accidents, which can have consequences that affect their health. In traffic accidents arise socio-economic costs.
Since 2011, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ZVZD-1) stipulates that the employer must additionally take care of its employees and offer them sports activities, various lectures on health and nutrition.
There is medical absenteeism in every workplace. In Slovenia, the percentage of health absenteeism is increasing every year. In order to avoid absences from the work of their employees, employers should adapt the workplace to each individual with ergonomic arrangements, as this preserves the health and ability to work of employees. This is especially necessary for professional drivers, because they spend most of their working time in their vehicles. Attention should also be consecrate to risk factors for the health and safety of drivers, so that these factors are minimized and their health is maintained.
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