Potential interventions and additional resources
These are some ideas for how employers can support drivers' health and well–being at work. Appropriate interventions will vary by organisation – this list is intended to inspire ideas.
Lifestyle and mental health support
- Employee assistance programme (EAP)
- Occupational health provision
- Access to counselling service
- Access to physiotherapy and other therapies
- A psychologically safe environment
- Mental health first aiders
- Driver forum on welfare improvements
- Flexible start/end times to allow for school run/carer responsibilities
- Use data to analyse potential fatigue or performance dips during shifts and review break times and shift length accordingly
Physical health support
- Smoking cessation support
- Health campaigns
- Advice on healthy eating and hydration
- Access to healthy foods
- Refillable water bottles
- Cool bags where fridges are not possible
- Plan routes with decent toilet/break facilities in mind
- Ensure drivers understand the importance of prioritising sleep
- Fitness trackers
- Real world or virtual 'team' exercise challenges
- Structured exercise or physical activities
- Ensure drivers have time for brief walks during breaks
- Ensure drivers can break up periods of sitting with regular short breaks
Access to medical services
- Free sight tests
- Paid time off to attend vaccinations (eg COVID-19)
- Free flu vaccinations
- Free or subsidised dentistry
- Health screening
- Ask local pharmacy or surgery if they would be interested in running an at base health hub occasionally
Financial support
- Financial education and support
- Insurance/protection initiatives
- Private medical insurance
- Dental plans
- Self-funded health plans/healthcare trust
- Personal accident insurance
- Critical illness insurance
- Salary-funded savings schemes
Organisations that can help
National Highways cannot recommend or endorse any of the following organisations. They are listed here for information purposes, but organisations must make their own determination as to which providers may fulfil their needs.
Occupational Health Professionals
With thanks to Society of Occupational Medicine
Occupational health professionals are uniquely competent in improving driver health, as they are experienced in improving health in safety-critical work tasks. They provide proactive support and monitoring and offer targeted interventions to improve mental and physical health outcomes of at work driver populations. Occupational health professionals are experts in assessing fitness for work and should offer medical assessment and screening, to reduce risk of incidents and improve health outcomes for at work drivers. To support at work drivers, occupational health professionals also educate employees about their duty to monitor and manage any physical or mental health conditions they may have, to ensure they are safe and fit to drive. Focus for at work drivers should be on the danger of fatigue and excessive sleepiness.
Member assistance programmes
The EAPA is the trade body for employee assistance professionals.
It has a list of accredited EAP providers here
Eyesight
First Aid
Red Cross has information on work-place defibrillators here
The WellBeing Project – mental health first aid and wellbeing training
Mental health crisis lines
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably
0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day)
MIND 0300 102 1234, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)
Mental Health Forum – an online community offering forums for people to talk to others experiencing the same issues
Men's Health Forum 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email. Also offers resources and information about a wide range of men's health issues.
The Samaritans offers a range of trauma, bereavement and mental health support. Support line: 116 123, 24hrs, 365 days a year
Psychological Trauma
Psychological Trauma Consultancy Nicola Lester
Dependencies and substance misuse
DrinkAware Confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else's drinking. 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
Frank Helpline for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse. For drug misusers, their families, friends, carers. 0300 123 6600, 24hr, SMS: 82111
Drug and alcohol testing
Physiotherapy
Physio Med An independent national network of physiotherapists which works with organisations to provide face-to-face or video treatment for employees.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics
Sleep, diet and exercise
Third Pillar of Health Corporate sleep and fatigue experts
Active Partnerships is a nationwide movement, physical activity and sport network
Workplace Movement Brings physical activity opportunities into the workplace
Driver medicals
Any qualified and GMC-registered doctor can provide a D4 or Group 2 medical. Some GPs provide this service. There are also a range of private providers who will arrange medicals with doctors.
D4Drivers Driver medical specialists
Legal advice for workplace testing or health initiatives
Neurodivergence
EARN –Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Hiring and supporting neurodivergent workers
The charities which lent aid to this if not listed elsewhere:
