“Pedometer” for tracking number of steps. Photo credit: Tojosan on Flickr

They didn’t realize how little they walked during a shift hauling logs.

Forty-two BC truckers took part in “an easy, fun, and inexpensive” challenge posed by the BC Forest Safety Council. BCFSC gave participants free pedometers for tracking the number of steps they take each day. They logged their daily steps for a month, competed for prizes, and set their own goals.

Fleet manager/driver Peter Bueckert said he – and others – didn’t realize how little they walked during a shift behind the wheel. Some participants gained steps by parking at the far end of a convenience store lot, for example.

The BCFSC is rolling out this health and wellness program in an effort to increase the physical activity levels and overall health of log truck drivers in BC.

“Log haulers work long days. It can be very tough to find time to build exercise into a work day, but it’s important if log haulers are to overcome some of the health challenges they can face,” said Rick Walters, Director Transportation Safety, BCFSC, in this press release.

“By using this program, log haulers can be active, measure their progress, and take increasingly bigger steps towards a healthier, safer and more productive work place.”

For more information, please contact the BCFSC Transportation Safety team at 1-877-324-1212 or email transport@bcforestsafe.org to learn more.

Congratulations to all involved. Has anyone else taken part in a similar program?