The Official Blog of Penske Transportation Solutions

Archives for 2015

Offering Wellness Programs Can Encourage Improved Health

During the recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and Medical Review Board meeting, Brian Morris, associate corporate medical director at AllOne Health, said professional drivers are less healthy than the average person, with 61 percent of drivers having two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or a lack of physical activity. Morris also noted that only 8 percent of drivers exercise regularly and 80 percent have poor eating habits.

The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking for new ways to improve driver health, but is hoping to do so without issuing new regulations. Instead, the FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) and Medical Review Board are working together with industry stakeholders to create a number of resources drivers can turn to for health information and healthy living suggestions.

Recently, advisory committee members met to discuss the health issues drivers face and non-regulatory ways the private medical sector can help drivers improve their health.

During the meeting, Martin Walker, chief of FMCSA's Research Division, presented findings from a national study on driver health. Walker said that compared to the national working population, long-haul truck drivers are twice as likely to be obese and smoke cigarettes. Drivers also have a higher prevalence of self-reported diabetes. In addition, more than twice as many drivers are not covered by health insurance or a health care plan — 38 percent vs. 17 percent.

The group said part of the solution to improve driver health may simply be to provide more, and better, information. John Lannen, an MCSAC member and executive director of the Truck Safety Coalition, said that although there is a lot of health information available, it isn't always easily accessible to drivers.

The groups discussed information that could be placed on FMCSA's Wellness page, including healthy eating tips, a truck cab-friendly recipe of the month and exercise opportunities for drivers. The page would serve as a comprehensive wellness initiative, pull together some of the industry wellness programs, and invite multiple stakeholders to join in the information sharing, said Pamela Perry, a nurse consultant with FMCSA's Medical Programs Division.

Other ideas to improve driver health included paying drivers by the hour rather than by the mile to reduce stress; making ergonomic cab modifications to prevent pain, vibration and associated fatigue; and encouraging companies to subsidize weight-loss programs and gym memberships.

The groups plan to issue a report to FMCSA detailing behaviors that could improve work conditions, diet and exercise, sleep and lifestyle choices.

Martin Walker, chief of FMCSA's Research Division, released initial survey findings on driver health at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee recent meeting.

DRIVER HEALTH FINDINGS
The findings are based on information collected from:
Risk Factor Reported Truck Driver National Prevalence 2010 NHIS National Prevalence
Obesity 69% 31%
Morbid Obesity 27% 7%
Prevalence of current cigarette smoking 51% 19%
Diabetes 14% 7%
Hypertension 26% 24%
Results were compared to those from working adults included in the 2010 National Health Interview Survey.
[Read more...]Show less

Penske and Western Star Trucks donated use of a truck to transport Sundancer -- a solar car run by a team of U.S. high school students -- for a race in Australia.

Some businesses will go the extra mile to provide good service. Penske Truck Rental Australia recently went an extra 4,300 miles for a team of U.S. high school students participating in a solar-powered vehicle trek across the Outback. But since this is Australia, perhaps it would be better to say Penske went an extra 6,900 kilometres.

[Read more...]Show less

The Food Logistics magazine webcast, Hottest Food Supply Chain Trends in 2016, will feature Tom Scollard, vice president of dedicated contract carriage forPenske Logistics. It will be held on December 9 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Click here to register for this complimentary webcast. Penske is also a sponsor.

[Read more...]Show less

Mike and Diane Duff received the “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Berks Regional Chapter, Pennsylvania.

[Read more...]Show less

Martin Adams, a maintenance supervisor at Penske in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during his 20-year career in the U.S. Army

[Read more...]Show less

Pete Bayer, area vice president for the northeast for Penske Logistics and a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and Staff Sgt. Tony Rivera of the PA National Guard spoke to veterans Nov. 11 at a Veterans Day recognition event at Penske's headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.

[Read more...]Show less

John Adams (far right), an IT engineering supervisor at Penske, nominated Senior Vice President of Human Resources Jennifer Sockel (center) and his other managers for the Patriot Award. ESGR representative Rodger Diehl (second from left) presented the award to Brian Hard, Penske’s president and CEO (left); Sockel; Dennis Hague, Penske’s vice president of technology services; and Adams.

[Read more...]Show less

What is the job of a Penske truck hiker? Does that person climb a mountain trail with a knapsack on his or her back? Do they hitchhike across North America? It is actually none of the above. Penske hikers are the drivers who move vehicles from where they are to where they’re needed.

[Read more...]Show less