HGV drivers reminded oxygen could help them stay alert
HGV drivers are being warned that being overweight could make them more likely to kill someone while driving – but oxygen therapy could help them to stay alert at the wheel.
A conference in Northampton recently aimed to inform HGV drivers about how sleep apnoea can affect their working life, the Northampton Chronicle reported.
Sleep apnoea affects around 70,000 Brits and causes a blockage to the airway, unknowingly causing sleep deprivation, and is more common in those who are overweight.
Joan Pearce, national health and safety advisor at Allied Bakeries, told the news provider: "Basically, the vehicles they drive are so big they don't just risk killing themselves if they fall asleep, they can be in severe danger of killing other people.
"Many people who this applies to aren't even aware of it."
Using a portable oxygen tank while driving could help motorists to stay awake and alert until they can pull over for a proper rest.
A study from road safety charity Brake said recently that one in eight drivers experience 'microsleeps' when they drift off while driving, the Fleet Directory reported.
Posted by Jenny Richards
13/07/2011 17:01:14
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