What daily physical activites does your job require of you?

On a daily basis, I have to:

- Climb to the top of our tanks to verify volume in the compartments, complete with dip checks.
- In and out of the truck at least 30 times a day.
- Climbing on all sorts of construction machinery (cranes, excavators, loaders, dozers, etc)
- Lug around an industrial strength fuel hose (something like this http://www.rac-export.de/uploads/pics/201_01.jpg - 80 feet in length - doesn't seem like much but it's very demanding at times, especially when the full 80 feet is extended)
- Hooking up the vapour recovery hose can be a pain in the butt when loading too.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but those are basically the hardest parts.

 

Hooking and unhooking sets daily - a 20 minute burst of activity followed by 10+ hours of sitting and driving.

Never bothered my lower back, but see a chiropractor every 4-6 weeks for upper alignment.

The work steps physical is an out of touch waste of time, IMO.

 

It will depend on the seat in the truck and how religious you are in walking or exercising EVERY day. The roads we work on are not the best and the bridges can send you through the top of the cab if not careful. I too have back problems but expect every bridge to be rough and adjust my seated position accordingly. IF pulling a reefer you will be expected to count freight and yes that can take 2 to 3 hours on a concrete floor on a cold dock. Keep moving, that way your back won't get tight and your lower joints, (ankles, knees and hips) won't be as sore when you are through with the count. You will have to use load bars, but they are light in weight and should pose no problem during installation and uninstall. The only problem I run into is dollying the trailer legs. I have always had to bend over while cranking the legs, if I do a lot of that during the day, my back will let me know it does not appreciate being in that position for long periods of time. Remember to do your stretching exercise in the AM and PM and exercise every day, it will help keep you pain free.

 

How about you read the original post and understand that the poster does have health issues, thus the question. While putting load bars in place may not be difficult, climbing in and out of a trailer, especially in adverse weather conditions, could be for someone with pre existing back problems.

It never ceases to amaze me how immature some people are, that their entertainment is to troll forum threads in order to make fun of someone with a question or concern that is important to them.

 

This is a good thread...thanks OP!

 

I am struggling to be impressed by your response. The example you demonstrate as "one of many" injuries derived from the physical demands of trucking are by definition and in fact an example instead of the consequences of the LACK of physical demands of trucking.
.
.
Indeed, a couch potato and pencil pusher can suffer the same injury if they are not careful. Just as paraplegics need to be turned over by a nurse every few hours or they will develope terribly painful sores on the side they are laying on.

 

The physical demands of trucking depend on the specific job. Like Tony, I throw a lot of freight, but other companies have just the daily physical requirements of pre and post trip plus fixing issues that may occur during travel. This will include climbing in and out of the trailer at times from ground level. I found earlier this year during a company fitness challenge that pre and post-driving warm up exercises and stretching during restroom breaks helped me tremendously. If you are restricted by your back from certain movements, find out from your doctor what you can do.
Exercise on the road can be difficult, but only as difficult as you make it. If you make movement every day a part of your routine, and Im not just talking about walking to the shower and back, it will be a great help in how you feel at the end of your shift and in preventing further injury.

 

Here is good information and insight to help answer your question; http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ice/255330-so-youre-wanting-to-run-local.html

 

Didn't see "one of many'' in my post.....why should I try to "impress" you or anyone else....no need for that. I was pointing out your total lack of experience and knowledge of how the OTR job affects a driver....I was pointing out 1 example of the long term effects of OTR driving....your trying to tell me you know much more than I about an occupation I did my entire adult life.....so let's not kid ourselves OK....at 0-to-1 year you know very little about the effects of driving on an OTR driver....you haven't the experience yet...I don't know everything about trucking...but after 30+ years of it , I've got a good grip on how the lifestyle affects folks...