Truck drivers have some of the highest rates of workplace injuries in Washington State, according to a new report from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

The report, Trucking Industry: Examining Injuries for Prevention, includes information to help employers target the hazards their employees are most likely to encounter.

The new report covers the years 2006-through 2012 and breaks the data down into six different trucking sectors. Among its findings, each year, one in every 13 truck drivers in the state has a work-related injury serious enough that they have to miss work for a period of time.

Sprains, strains and overexertion accounted for the most trucking-related injuries in Washington State, with costs exceeding $107 million and resulting in 576,000 lost-work days. About 70% of these injuries were to drivers. Many of the injuries occurred while connecting or disconnecting a trailer to the truck or opening stuck trailer doors. Falls were also a leading cause of costly claims involving lost-work days.

"Injury rates in trucking are far above the state average for all other industries combined," said Caroline Smith, an epidemiologist for the department’s Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention program, and the lead researcher on the study. "In an industry that continues to be plagued by a shortage of qualified drivers, it's vital that we keep the ones we have safe and working."

Key points from the report include:

• There were 52 fatalities in Washington State among trucking industry employees between 2006 and 2012 and most of them were vehicle related, with all but one involving a man.

• Among Washington state truck drivers, one in 13 was injured seriously enough that they were unable to work and were compensated for lost-work days, in addition to the costs of medical treatment.

• There were 1.5 million lost-work days for all injuries in Washington's trucking industry during the report's time period.

• For the 33,000 workers employed in the trucking industry each year in Washington State from 2006 through 2012, there were nearly 7,000 lost-work claims.

Despite increased regulations on hours of service and other monitoring, trucking continues to be one of the most hazardous industries in the country, according to the report.

The department said it continues to work with trucking industry leaders, safety and health professionals and drivers to identify workplace hazards and low-cost, simple solutions. They include:

• An interactive tool helps drivers prepare for winter travel and remember to be safe when chaining up.

• Workers can test their skill at preventing slips, trips and falls while wearing different kinds of shoes on a variety of surfaces.

• Drivers can learn about health issues common to truck drivers, such as stress and sleep apnea, and get wellness tips on how to fit in exercise and healthy snacks when on the road.

The full report is available by logging on to KeepTruckingSafe.org