Healthy drivers equal healthy bottom line

Truck operators should
not under-estimate the
importance of driver
wellness as it has major
cost implications on their
businesses, according to
Engen medical expert Dr
Greg Kew.
“Health is obviously
important from a
productivity point of view
but it has become a critical
aspect for business strategy,”
he said. “It is therefore never
too soon and never to late
to start screening drivers.
The key objective is to
keep healthy people healthy
and identify the health risk
factors early.”
He said when all
factors were taken into
consideration when drivers
were off sick – and this
included the recruitment,
evaluation and training of
stand-in staff as well as
the loss of productivity – it
could cost in the region of
R230 000 to replace a driver.