Loughborough University has developed a new seven-hour Driver CPC training module called 'The Structured Health Intervention for Transport (SHIFT)' following 12 years of extensive research.

CILT(UK) was invited to the University by the DfT and NCESM on 2 July to learn more about SHIFT alongside industry leaders from across the sector and discover how it has been designed to improve driver health, wellbeing and road safety.

During the event, lead researcher Stacey Clemes, Professor of Active Living and Public Health at Loughborough University, revealed the many wellbeing challenges HGV drivers can face, including long periods of sitting, inactivity, loneliness, poor dietary options, sleep deprivation and long working hours.

If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to increased risk of accidents, higher rates of chronic diseases and reduced life expectancies.

Aiming to combat this, the SHIFT programme offers group-based interactive education sessions, resources, practical skills, advice and physical activity options.

The module was kickstarted when researchers held conversations with HGV drivers and health and safety personnel, where it was originally named 'The Structured Health Intervention for Transport for Truckers.'

It was tested clinically involving 382 DHL drivers, which after six months found that their daily steps increased by 1,000 per day, sitting time was reduced by 24 minutes and physical activity increased by six minutes.

During rest days, results showed even greater progress with 2,012 additional steps and a 40-minute reduction in sitting time. Additionally, drivers classified as obese saw weight loss of 2.4kg as a result of SHIFT.

The programme was then implemented as a Driver CPC module in partnership with Wincanton, which saw 65 Wincanton driver trainers trained to deliver Short-SHIFT, the programme's shorter one-hour module component. Since October 2023, 5,500 Wincanton drivers have experienced Short-SHIFT.

In January this year, Wincanton began running the seven-hour SHIFT CPC module monthly, receiving credible feedback from participants.

Stacey Clemes mentioned that additional research is still ongoing; however, the goal is to take the module global. The next steps are to look at expanding SHIFT across all modes of transport, including bus, rail, coach and van drivers.

To learn more about SHIFT please click here: https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/research/optimising-health-wellbeing/impact/the-shift-study/