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+--- Thread: [News] Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue? (/Thread-News-Seriously-underdiagnosed-safety-issue)
Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue? - Moriarty - 01-29-2013
From todays 'The Australian' Newspaper...
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sleep-apnoea-hits-up-to-half-of-all-truck-drivers/story-e6frg6nf-1226565034483
The problem with getting HCV drivers to self-report is that there is no support for them while they are in the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment. To put ones hand up for OSA is to effectively lose ones income.
RE: Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue? - SuperSleeper - 01-30-2013
Yep, it's a Catch-22. If I were a professional driver in that situation and I thought I had OSA, I'd try to obtain a used data-recording auto-CPAP and self-treat, rather than "go through the system" and risk losing my income stream.
It's the unintended consequences of poorly-thought-out regulations, once again.
RE: Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue? - zimlich - 01-30-2013
This is really unfair. Unless you have private disability insurance, or insurance though your work, you are in a bad place. I wish there was more support for these drivers to insure all our safety. This kind of situation is why I always buy disability insurance on a job. I am a serious manic depressive (don't think the term bipolar describes the illness) and can miss work or more rare end up in the hospital. Unfortunately I don't think relief will come soon.