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© 2018 TRL Ltd

Maintaining driver wellbeing to improve operational performance Dr Paul Jackson CPsychol Head of Impairment Research

the future of transport. © 2018 TRL Ltd

7 components of wellbeing

3 contributors to poor driver wellbeing

Costs of not managing wellbeing

Solutions

Summary

Overview


Professional Driver Mental Wellbeing

What support services are available for drivers?

What opportunities for physical exercise exist?

Do work patterns allow drivers to engage in social activities?

Are drivers away from home for long periods?

Do work practices increase stress and

anxiety?

Do pay rates / pay structure increase

fatigue?

Do company and individual values align?


On average 20% of the working population finds

their work very or extremely stressful

Up to 30% of people report symptoms of psychological

distress at work

30% of work-related illnesses within transport and logistics result from

stress, depression and/or anxiety

Sources: HSE Report rr488; MIND


Operational, roster and lifestyle contributors combine to increase driver stress, fatigue and affect mental wellbeing

OPERATIONAL CONTRIBUTORS • Customer-driven KPIs • Delivery slots • Unrealistic delivery schedules • Road conditions • Pay rates/structure

ROSTER CONTRIBUTORS • Early starts, late finishes • Sleeping during day = poor sleep • Use of caffeine to stay awake • Long hours • Overtime • Working on rest days etc.

LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTORS • Living away from home • Isolation • Diet • Work-related health issues • Opportunities for exercise • Sleep disorders • Access to health care • Male bravado

Contributors to driver mental wellbeing issues


Reduced alertness

• Vigilance and concentration

errors

Intentional

non-compliance

• Effort avoidance

• Short cuts

Procedural errors

Correct intention, flawed execution;

• E.g. slips & lapses*

Decision errors

• Perception of risk, failure to

consider options

*Slip: performing the correct action, but incorrectly Lapse: failing to perform the correct action at all

Effects of fatigue on cognitive performance


Effects of fatigue on brain functions

Parietal lobe: integrates sensory data. Calculations,

manipulation of objects

Thalamus: Alertness

Occipital lobe: Visual processing

Prefrontal cortices: Problem solving, mood, reasoning,

judgement, emotional response, communication

Fatigue affects our ability to focus attention: we are more easily

distracted by irrelevant or unimportant information

Sleep loss results in a reduction in glucose reaching the brain: but some areas are affected more than others…


Effects of poor mental wellbeing on driver performance

Accidents/incidents

Poor customer service

Insurance claims

Fuel consumption

Bent metal costs

Poor morale

Sickness

Absenteeism

Depression

Anxiety

Company reputation

Increased costs

Attrition

Training

Recruitment Vehicles out of service


Analysis of work patterns and practices Refine procedures

Integration and analysis of data: quantify costs

Training Schedule

Management

Transport Office

Drivers

Families

Drivers’ opinions: Interviews, Surveys, Discussion groups


Summary

Many common fleet management practices inadvertently increase driver fatigue and stress

Left unmanaged, driver fatigue and stress combine to affect mental wellbeing

Like other hazards these should be managed as part of the safety management system

Poor mental wellbeing related to fatigue and stress affects customer service, performance, leads

to increased risk of incidents, accidents and a range of operational costs

Solutions include identifying the true costs of operational practices, data collection and analysis,

effective policies and procedures, training on fatigue, stress and mental wellbeing.

A well designed driver wellbeing programme can not only save you money (reduce costs), but

also make you money.

dr paul jackson cpsychol head of impairment research · dr paul jackson head of impairment research...

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