Fitness for Work Evaluation of Commercial Drivers who Receive Health Examination in a Tertiary Hospital, at Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to assess the proportion of commercial drivers with health conditions suitable for work, based on fitness-for-work assessments conducted at a tertiary hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The study population consisted of 86 commercial drivers who underwent fitness-for-work assessments at the Occupational Health Clinic, Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, during the 2023 fiscal year (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023). All participants were included in the study, with data collected from health records using structured forms to capture general information and fitness assessment results, analyzed using frequency and percentage. The findings revealed that 98.8% of the commercial drivers were fit to work, while only 1.2% were unfit due to stage 3 hypertension. Additionally, health abnormalities such as hypertension, diabetes, abnormal hearing, and abnormal vision were observed among the drivers. However, these conditions met the criteria established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the United Kingdom, allowing these individuals to be deemed fit to work. The results emphasize the importance of comprehensive health assessments and the establishment of standardized health criteria to enhance safety in both workplaces and on the roads.