Occupational light vehicle use: characterizing the at-risk population

In the past, research on occupational light vehicle research has focused on employees using cars. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterise the total occupational light vehicle-user population and compare it with the privately-used light vehicle population. Occupational light vehicle and private light vehicle populations were identified through use-related 2003 registration categories from New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority data. Key groups of occupational light vehicle registration variables were comparatively assessed as potential determinants of occupational light vehicle-user risks. These comparisons were expressed as odds ratios with 95% Confidence Intervals. The occupational light vehicle population vehicles (n=646,201) comprised 18% of all light vehicle registrations. Various statistical differences emerge between the two populations; some examples are as follows: 86% of occupational light vehicle registrants were male versus 65% of private registrants, and 56% of the occupational users registered load shape vehicles versus 20% of the private registrants. Occupational light vehicles registered for farming or taxi use were more than six times more likely to belong to sole-traders than organisations. Sole-traders were nearly twice as likely to register light-trucks, and twice as likely to register older vehicles, than organisations. This study shows that the occupational light vehicle user population is more diverse and larger than previously shown with characteristics likely to increase the relative risks of motor vehicle crashes. More occupational light vehicles were load shapes and, because of this, likely to have poorer crashworthiness ratings than cars. Occupational light vehicles are frequently used by sole-traders for activities with increased Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks, including farming and taxi use. All vehicle types, work arrangements and small ‘fleets’ should be included in further exploration of occupational light vehicle-user crash risks.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.sia.org.au/journals/Default.aspx?abstract=occupational-light-vehicle-use-characterising-the-at-risk-population
• Authors:
  • Stuckey, Rwth
  • LaMontagne, Anthony D
  • Glass, Deborah C
  • Sim, Malcolm R
• Publication Date: 2010-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 17-28
• Serial:
  • Journal of Health & Safety, Research & Practice
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Safety Institute of Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Confidence intervals; Crashes; Crashworthiness; Databases; Demographics; Highway safety; Light vehicles; Occupational safety; Population; Risk analysis
• Identifier Terms: New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority
• Uncontrolled Terms: Populations at risk
• Geographic Terms: New South Wales
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01351856
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 2011 11:13AM