The modern economy depends on dedicated delivery drivers. If both large and small retailers did not have competent delivery professionals in their supply chains, two-day shipping would not be possible. As such, it is no surprise there were nearly 1.5 million delivery drivers in the United States in 2018. Another roughly 30,000 drivers will join the workforce in the next decade.
If you deliver packages for a living, you know how challenging your profession can be. After all, you must meet tight deadlines, perform customer service and keep clean paperwork. You may not realize, though, that you are vulnerable to certain types of injuries that may not affect other workers. Here are three of them:
1.Chronic back pain
Delivery drivers spend a significant amount of time sitting behind the wheel of trucks, vans or other vehicles. When they are on their feet, though, drivers often lift, bend and twist. These motions can lead to chronic back pain. Regrettably, because it can be difficult to treat back pain successfully, some drivers must live with constant soreness.
2. Carpel tunnel syndrome
Constantly grabbing and moving objects can cause pain, tingling, numbness and loss of motion in the wrists. These symptoms are common in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. Because delivery drivers regularly move items, they often need to rely on medical devices to minimize their chances of developing a repetitive stress injury to their hands, wrists or fingers.
3. Shoulder injuries
When stacking boxes and unloading trucks, delivery drivers are susceptible to shoulder injuries. These injuries may be either chronic or acute. In serious instances, such as when a driver tears his or her rotator cuff, surgical intervention is often necessary.
Even though working as a delivery driver is a good way to support yourself and your family members, it is not without its risks. Eventually, you may sustain a serious job-related injury. By understanding the sort of health hazards delivery drivers regularly face, though, you can better plan for staying safe on your route.