GREEN BAY, Wis. — In 2006, Schneider created a first-of-its-kind sleep disorder screening program for all company drivers, providing treatment to those who test positive for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The carrier is now being honored for its pioneering work by receiving the 2019 National Safety Council’s Green Cross for Safety Innovation Award.
In being named the winner, Schneider is breaking more new ground: It is the only company to consecutively win the Green Cross for Safety, following its 2018 Green Cross for Safety Excellence Award.
“Being honored with the Green Cross for Safety Award in back-to-back years is an amazing accomplishment, underscoring our commitment to our No. 1 core value of Safety First and Always,” said Tom DiSalvi, vice president of safety, driver training and compliance at Schneider. “However, the biggest win is that our driver associates are more vigilant on the roadway and significantly healthier. We weren’t trying to be innovative. We were trying to save lives.”
Schneider became the first large-scale employer to effectively and efficiently identify drivers at risk for OSA and get them the critical treatment needed to improve their health and safety.
OSA is a sleep disorder that affects one out of five American adults and prevents restorative sleep, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and long-term health issues. It is most commonly treated by using a continuous positive airway pressure device — commonly known as CPAP — to keep the air passage in throat open while sleeping.
Schneider created a program that eliminated the barriers — specifically driver down-time and cost — by creating a nationwide network of sleep clinics. This allows driver associates to be tested while still under dispatch — either in the sleep lab or with a home sleep test in their truck sleeper berth. Their results are reviewed the next morning by a board-certified clinician. If a driver tests positive for OSA, a CPAP device is provided so the driver can be treated immediately and continue with their load delivery without losing any workdays – all at zero cost to the associate through Schneider’s health care benefits.
Schneider has achieved several significant outcomes as a result of this program:
- Fatigue-related incidents improved by 44 percent
- Retention improved by 2.2 years of increased tenure for treated associates (30 percent above fleet average)
- Healthcare costs reduced by more than $300 per treated associate per month
The NSC Green Cross for Safety Innovation award is given to a researcher, corporation, coalition or organization in recognition of a transformative approach to a long-held challenge in safety. Schneider is the first truckload carrier to be honored with this award.
“National Safety Council award winners don’t just aim to check off a box for safety,” said Nicholas J. Smith, interim president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “These individuals and organizations understand that a successful day of work requires getting home safely, and they prioritize safety at every level of decision-making. We are proud to honor each of our nominees and our incredible winners, all of whom are committed to working alongside NSC to eliminate preventable deaths in our lifetime.”
Schneider remains committed to sharing experiences and learnings with companies, government agencies and individuals to improve highway safety and assist in improving the health and safety of others, DiSalvi said.
For more information on Schneider, visit schneider.com.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
