METHODS: Surveys were sent to a random sample of 9,800 truck drivers from the Washington State Department of Licensing database during 2010 and 2012. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were developed to describe the study population and to identify variables associated with having a work-related injury. The primary independent variable of interest was the composite score for safety perceptions.
RESULTS: 2,189 drivers completed the interview questions pertinent to this study. The study shows that less than truckload driving assignment, daytime sleepiness, pressure to work faster, and having a poor safety climate perception score were all associated with increased likelihood of work-related injury. Positive safety climate perception score was protective for odds of work-related injury, and injured workers with a positive safety climate score were more likely to file a claim.
CONCLUSIONS: Safety climate perception score is a useful measure for truck drivers, and can help predict the likelihood of work-related injury and may help increase the likelihood that a driver injured on the job files a workers’ compensation claim. The role of management in safety climate appears to be critical in preventing work-related injuries, and future injury prevention efforts should address these concerns. Ongoing work with the trucking industry in Washington State, including interviews with injured workers, employers, and the WA trucking industry surveillance program steering committee members also highlight some of the same conclusions regarding management involvement and commitment and should be incorporated into the next generation of injury prevention programs and materials.