What occupational health challenges do hazmat truck drivers face? A network analysis and implications for safety management

Hazardous materials (hazmat) road transportation entails substantial safety risks, in which driver-related factors are consistently identified as the leading contributors to crashes. Yet the occupational profile, health status, and psychosocial resources of hazmat truck drivers remain poorly characterized, constraining the development of evidence-based safety management. To address this gap, this study surveyed 347 hazmat truck drivers in China, combining standardized scales with self-developed items capturing context-specific working experiences. These drivers were middle-aged (M = 42.52 years). The majority of them (87.6%) were overweight or obese. More than half of them were suffering musculoskeletal discomfort (58.8%) and suspected insomnia or insomnia (56.8%) together with daytime sleepiness. Although their self-reported fatigue was relatively low, sleep-related problems and physical health issues warrant particular attention. Network analysis further revealed two functionally distinct clusters within the work system: a physiological risk cluster (fatigue, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness) and a psychosocial resource cluster (perceived social support, professional identity, and subjective well-being). The associations between the two clusters were predominantly negative, suggesting a dynamic balance between occupational strain and adaptive resources. Subjective well-being, insomnia, and fatigue emerged as the most central nodes, indicating that they may serve as priority entry points for intervention. Our findings highlight that safeguarding the occupational health and safety of hazmat truck drivers requires an integrated and system-oriented management approach that jointly addresses physiological risks, psychosocial resources, and physical health. The study offers empirical evidence and practical implications for safety management in hazmat road transportation.