The RHA has committed to two projects that will reduce stigma around diabetes and will support staff with the condition.
RHA Managing Director Richard Smith made the pledge at an industry roundtable event which discussed the implications type 2 diabetes has on the road transport sector.
The roundtable, hosted by the Diabetes Safety Organisation, the Parliamentary Action Council for Transport Safety and Driving for Better Business discussed how diabetes affects driver safety, productivity and causes early exits from the workforce.
Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, said:
“The RHA is developing an action plan to capture the feedback and guidance of industry leaders. We are committed to making commercial transport the first diabetes safe industry in the UK and have several initiatives planned for 2025 to achieve a better work environment for all logistics professionals.
“Our pledges include the funding of a driver guidance paper in partnership with the Diabetes Safety Organisation to help operators understand how to support diabetic staff and mitigate risks when they’re behind the wheel. We will also achieve Diabetes Safe Accreditation this year and share with membership how they can do the same.
“Our recent industry survey on diabetes in the workplace found that people who drive for a living are twice as likely to develop diabetes. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to hypos, which increases the likelihood of accidents while driving and a host of other serious medical conditions.
“We have been partners with the Diabetes Safety Organisation for several years, raising awareness of Diabetes and how Type 2 in particular can be prevented. As a signee of the Diabetes Safety Organisation Charter, we are committed to provide awareness training to staff. We continually promote glucose testing and provide clean suitable places for those with diabetes who need to test their blood sugar levels or inject medication.”
You can read the Diabetes Safety Organisation Charter here: https://lnkd.in/eVZANypR
Find out more about how to get involved with Diabetes Safety Organisation here: https://lnkd.in/edEPhWfe
