Experts in the trucking industry say that the aging workforce of the industry increases the risk of workers’ compensation claims in fleets, even though many are seeing stable or reduced premiums.

Chris Mikolay, vice president, national accounts and truck alternative risk for National Interstate Insurance Co., which offers workers’ compensation and commercial auto liability insurance for the industry, says there are several exposures for drivers which may contribute to an increased risk of injury, such as getting in and out of the truck not using “three points of contact”, working on top of trailers or being exposed to wet/slippery conditions.

Stephen Kane, president of Rolling Strong, says some common injuries for the trucking industry include slip and falls getting into or out of the cab or trailer, injuries from cranking the landing gear, pulling a fifth wheel pin from an “awkward position” to uncouple the trailer and loading and unloading the truck.

James Burg, president of James Burg Trucking Co. and chairman of the insurance task force at American Trucking Associations said the rising age of the workforce is a contributing factor, giving the example that a younger worker who might slip could catch himself where an older worker might get hurt.

Kane said that because of the nature of their work, tendons and ligaments around drivers’ joints can get tight. They can also be more dehydrated than your average worker. These factors may make drivers susceptible to shoulders, lower back and hip injuries. Kane says that drivers are twice as likely to be injured on the job and if they are it can take them twice as long to get back to work.

Tim Horgan, director of marketing at Hub International, said in 2012 and injured shoulder claim was settled for around $25,000 but today that figure could be $100,000 or more.

Premiums have stayed stable for many motor carriers or have even decreased in some cases. Though rates have been going down fleet owners can also take initiative to reduce costs through driver training and education.

Jerry Gillikin, chief marketing officer at Hub International said many of his company’s clients utilize online training which can be particularly helpful to flatbed drivers who use tarps and chains and really get up on the truck.

Accidents remain one of the industry’s largest cost drivers. Some fleets are utilizing technology like in-cab camera systems, lane-departure and collision-avoidance systems that may help prevent crashes.

Andrew Ladebauche, CEO of insurance broker Reliance Partners says that the industry is facing a shortage of drivers and so employers may have to be “flexible” during the employment screening process.

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