Road freight transport industry

The South Australian Road Transport industry is an industry whose workers face markedly different risks to workers in other industries.

The bulk of occupations in the industry are heavy vehicle drivers. Others workers include:

• delivery drivers
• forklift drivers
• furniture removalists
• road and rail freight handlers
• motor mechanics.

Hazards

The hazards include:

• demanding and unpredictable schedules
• irregular working hours leading to fatigue
• heavy manual work
• noise and vibration
• vehicle accidents
• exposure to checmicals
• handling dangerous goods.

People working in the road freight transport industry are at high risk of suffering from back and shoulder injuries related to the unsafe handling of freight.

These injuries cost local businesses an estimated $21 million between 1992 and 1997 - not to mention the huge personal and social costs.