Employees in many industries are subject to regulations and guidelines. This is particularly true of employees whose positions impact public safety and health. In an attempt to prevent commercial vehicle accidents, drivers of commercial vehicles like trucks and busses are currently subject to several regulations including a physical examination.

Due to the nature of their work, commercials truck drivers are more susceptible to a variety of work-related health ailments. Long work hours spent sitting and inactivity contribute to many commercial truck drivers suffering chronic health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, many bus and truck drivers may suffer from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and chronic stress.

When left undiagnosed and untreated, many of the health problems that plague employees who work within the commercial vehicle industry present great dangers. These health problems are not only dangerous for individual drivers, but also for the public at large. Many drivers of commercial vehicles are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or falling asleep behind the wheel, both of which increase the likelihood of their involvement in a serious traffic accident.

While commercial truck drivers are currently required to undergo a physical exam every two years, many argue the exams are not effective in detecting potential health problems. Currently medical personnel are allowed to perform physicals as they see fit. As of May 21, 2014, however, medical personnel will be required to undergo certification.

Officials at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hope that requiring certification of medical personnel will improve the consistency and overall effectiveness of the physical exams. Many commercial truckers, however, are skeptical of the new regulations.

Source: The Gazette, "Doctors, trucking companies favor new health-testing regulation," George C. Ford, Jan 2, 2013