News

Driver jobs could be at risk as the DVLA has confirmed it considers sleep apnoea syndrome a "disabling medical condition".

A spokesman says a driving licence will be revoked if the DVLA "is not satisfied that treatment is both effective and well tolerated", but a licence can be reinstated once satisfactory control is achieved and confirmed by medical enquiry from a consultant or specialist.

Drivers will normally be issued with a licence valid initially for one year to allow for  periodic review.

Many believe that drivers who suspect they suffer from sleep apnoea, which occurs when the muscles holding the throat relax and block the airway preventing proper sleep, are too scared to come forward for fear they will lose their jobs.

The DVLA's stance has been supported by the first stage of a recent employment tribunal in Aberdeen. It ruled that a lorry driver suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea should be considered disabled.

Driver George Webster, who suffered from the condition and worked for ARR Craib Transport, can now pursue his disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claims after being sacked by the company.

ARR Craib Transport argues that Webster was not disabled.

However a "sleep expert" has criticised the tribunal's conclusions. Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Lough-borough University says that obstructive sleep apnoea is a "treatable condition" and that lorry drivers can return  to work.

He points out that the condition is associated with heavy snoring and being overweight - having a collar size of more than 18 inches puts someone at risk.

"Is being fat a disability?" Horne asks.