Last October we attended the RHA National Lorry Week Event at the Senedd in Cardiff.  Everyone there from RHA members to political speakers all spoke about how everything we consume as a nation is delivered by hauliers from food, medical supplies, what we wear to industrial supplies, the list is endless and what everyone agreed was that hauliers are struggling to recruit and withhold drivers. 

Why is this?

The transport industry is one of the least provided for sectors year on year and I don’t mean simply the road infrastructure; I mean insufficient secure parking facilities for HGV’s and what is provided is substandard. 

As hauliers we are quite rightly regulated to ensure that our fleet is roadworthy and well maintained, that our drivers are qualified to drive these vehicles and provide them with regular training and ensure good management of the working time directive.

What hauliers have no control over however is the welfare of our drivers once they have left the depot.  Surveys indicate that less than 40% of drivers are satisfied with the number of available stopping places and are frequently forced to use laybys or industrial estates that typically lack safe parking, sanitary facilities and security. 

Many existing services that are available are archaic and not fit for purpose with insufficient and dirty showers and toilets, inadequate facilities for women who at best only have access to a shared bathroom or are expected to use male-only showers.

Team this with the lack of drivers lounges and refreshments which, if available are poor quality food, overpriced and unhealthy options which lowers morale even more.

HGV Drivers by the very nature of the job are lone workers, working long hours, often away from home or overnight, face challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  It goes without saying that they would typically be more at risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart related issues but equally important between 25-44% of HGV Drivers in UK suffer with mental health issues.  So, at a time when employers are promoting awareness of a better mental health approach at work UK wide, the transport industry is continually being left behind through lack of government funding.  It is as though the drivers do not matter as long as the economy keeps moving. 

In July the RHA Wellbeing Charter is being rolled out with a focus on Mental Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition.  Whilst this is a great start, the government must do more to implement the recommendations.  We need action and not lip service!