As a truck driver, you have one of the most dangerous jobs in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers account for nearly 15 percent of U.S. work-related deaths. And that’s only counting the accidents.

Government figures show that the trucking industry has the most fatalities of all industries, and drivers, who often load and unload their cargo, can also get a high number of strains and other injuries, AP said.

Truck drivers are also more at risk than the average American for a number of health problems, including obesity, lack of wearing seatbelts, sleep apnea, and smoking related problems, just to name a few.

According to the Associated Press, this is the latest research coming out of an upcoming report that may help influence government regulations for truck drivers’ health, which are under review. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has said it’s considering tightening its rules for conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure, and many companies are stepping up their own efforts at improving health.

“It takes a while to undo years and years and years of unhealthy behavior,” said Christie Cullinan of the American Trucking Associations, which represents about 2,000 companies and suppliers. “But I think companies are having to look at this because of the skyrocketing health care costs and related workers compensation costs.”

According to the AP, drivers are being tested every two years to maintain their licenses, which are issued by states. Waivers can be granted, but generally commercial drivers can’t be licensed if they have severe high blood pressure or severe heart conditions. Other aspects of drivers’ health, like weight and smoking, aren’t regulated.

“They can’t say, ‘You can’t be obese’ and they can’t force you to stop smoking,’” said Gerald P. Krueger, a psychologist who compiled the latest research by the Transportation Research Board. “The government shouldn’t regulate that. But we’ve been trying to educate people to the linkage between being a healthy person and a safe driver.”

Krueger said trucking companies need to do more to foster better health among their employees, whether it’s to reduce health care costs or hang onto employees in an industry where turnover is high and shortages growing.

It’s not clear how many companies are making efforts. The ATA told the AP that it is planning a survey to collect more accurate data. An AP spot check of trucking companies nationwide revealed that a handful of companies have doctors and nurses available to drivers, providing services free of charge.  Other companies stocked their vending machines with healthier choices, such as green tea, water and diet drinks.  In addition, many companies are also offering blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and sleep apnea screenings - providing drivers with special air masks to help them sleep.

The AP said that some drivers are responding to the health campaigns, working out at loading stations, cooking for themselves and even walking laps around their rigs. (Thirty-two times around an 18-wheeler is a mile.)