Brake warns fleet managers not to close their eyes to sleep apnoea at upcoming safety workshop
Brake are urging fleet managers to attend a vital workshop on sleep apnoea from the Fleet Safety Forum, sponsored by Cambridge Weight Plan, which takes place on Wednesday June 15 in Northampton, for which there are still places available.
Organised by Brake, the workshop aims to not only raise awareness about the sleep apnoea condition, but to provide practical advice on identifying symptoms, and suggest ideas for company policy to help mitigate the associated risks.
Dr. Tony Leeds of Cambridge Weight Plan will provide information about the symptoms of sleep apnoea, how to detect the condition, and suggest methods of treatment.
Dr. Paul Jackson of Clockwork Research will advise delegates on how to manage the risks associated with sleep apnoea, and Joan Pearce of Allied Bakeries will share the company’s experience of implementing a sleep awareness training programme as part of their driver training.
Kath Hartley, Events and Marketing Officer at Brake says: “It is very concerning to think that so many people who drive for work may be vulnerable to sleep apnoea. That’s why this workshop is absolutely vital to help companies manage the risk and implement policies to keep their employees and other road users safe.”
The Fleet Safety Forum has produced two resources on driver tiredness and sleep apnoea, sponsored by Cambridge Weight Plan. The e-guidance, entitled “Sleep apnoea: guidance for fleet managers”, gives detailed information about the condition sleep apnoea, signs and symptoms, and guidance on how to minimise risks. It is available at a cost of £7.45 plus p&p or free to the first 50 companies who place an order. The pack is also provided free of charge to members of Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum.
The workshop will take place on Wednesday 15 June 2011 at the Marriott Hotel, Northampton. Places cost £80+VAT for subscribers to the Fleet Safety Forum and £90+VAT for non-subscribers.
Call Brake on 01484 559909 or email admin@brake.org.uk today to book. For more information please visit www.fleetsafetyforum.org/events or alternatively Click here to download the flyer for the workshop.
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1 Comment
Hi,
It’s good to see BRAKE on the ball with this, and websites related to professional driving, like yourselves, picking up on it, helping to spread the news.
A lot of professional drivers come to our forums at http://www.CPAP.co.uk talking about how obstructive sleep apnoea (often caused by being overweight) has impacted their work, driving license etc. There’s a bit of a catch-22 going on at present.
On one hand, a professional drivers realises he can’t go on like this, microsleeps at the wheel etc. but on the other hand he fears that by going to the doctor, he may get reported to the DVLA and have his license revoked. Problem being that once diagnosed with OSA, it can take weeks, or months before getting treatment. During that long wait, he is not supposed to drive. That’s a risk few are willing to take so they continue to drive sleepy.
Category 1 drivers, taxi drivers, van drivers etc. at least have a private option, where for about £100-£130 they can be tested discretely, privately. Category 2 drivers will always need their health signed off by a consultant, due to the risk involved with their line of work. They have to go to the NHS and need to carefully find out about waiting lists, whether there is the possibility to be fast-tracked etc.
It’s still a big issue for many, without a clear-cut, reliable solution for all.
Anyway, glad you post this as awareness is indeed key. Capacity within the NHS will hopefully follow.
Regards,
James
Sleep Study
August 9, 2011, 10:02 am.
