Truck driving ergonomics is an often overlooked part of vehicle safety. Typically, things like attentive driving practices get more attention, as they can result in more dramatic incidents. However, employee comfort and musculoskeletal health deserve attention, too.
Poor ergonomics — both in the cab and working around parked vehicles — can lead to repetitive stress injuries. They may also make it harder to remain focused while driving, leading to dangerous traffic accidents. Here are eight ways you can address these risks and improve work truck ergonomics.
1. Teach drivers proper posture
Like many safety issues, better ergonomics begins with employee training. Drivers should understand the importance of proper posture, including sitting up straight, not being too close to the wheel and not leaning to one side.
Ergonomic training is also necessary for workers getting equipment or deliveries in and out of trucks. Follow OSHA guidelines for safe lifting, including:
- Keeping loads between the mid-thigh and shoulders
- Not bending or twisting your back
- Keeping loads close to the body
- Using two or more people when lifting objects over 50 pounds
Managers should emphasize these points in employee onboarding and regularly remind employees of their importance. Highlighting the impact of poor ergonomics on workers’ personal safety may make these practices easier to remember.
2. Install more ergonomic seats
Another important step in improving truck driving ergonomics is to ensure the seats in your vehicle are ergonomically friendly. Adjustability is the most important factor. Drivers should be able to move the seat closer or farther from the wheel, raise and lower the seat and adjust its back to fit their bodies.
Truck seats should also have enough cushioning on the bottom to remain comfortable for extended periods. Proper lumbar support in the backrest is another crucial factor. Long-range truck drivers should have air-ride seats, which use airbags between the cab floor and the seat to absorb bumps from the road, minimizing vibrations.
3. Encourage more breaks
Managers should also encourage drivers and mobile employees to take regular breaks. Drivers falling asleep at the wheel cause tens of thousands of accidents annually, so it’s important to stay well-rested. Frequent breaks will provide that rest, but their benefits go beyond not falling asleep while driving.
Pulling over for a few minutes gives employees a chance to step out of the vehicle and stretch. Even if they only stand up and walk around, this change of posture is important to keep muscles limber and prevent strain. Workers moving things in and out of vehicles on a job should also take breaks between stops to stretch and let their muscles relax.
4. Install access steps
Stepping into and getting out of the vehicle also deserves attention. Many trucks are high off the ground, so employees may strain their knees when entering and exiting the cab. Workers who need to get things out of the back face even more potential strain from stepping up and down the bumper.
Aftermarket access steps are the ideal solution. Installing steps by cab doors and below the rear bumper will make it easier to climb in and out. Ensure these have sufficient traction to prevent slips and falls — the second leading cause of injury-related death in the workplace. Vertical handles near these steps offer additional support.
5. Mount tools within reach
Proper truck driving ergonomics also considers the equipment within the truck. Employees may hurt themselves if they repeatedly reach overhead, bend over or twist to grab needed tools out of the back. The easier these are to access with minimal movement, the less likely repetitive strain injuries will be.
Use equipment racks and shelving to keep your most-used tools above waist height and below the shoulders if possible. External racks are ideal, as these reduce the need to crawl in and out of the back of the work truck. You may have to place some equipment on top of the truck, such as ladders — in these cases, steps can help employees access them safely.
6. Optimize truck maintenance
As with other forms of vehicle safety, maintenance is a key consideration in truck ergonomics. A poorly maintained truck will have a rougher ride, which isn’t conducive to a comfortable and safe working environment.
Tires and suspensions deserve special attention. Always keep tires properly inflated, rotate them regularly and check the tread depth to ensure a smooth drive. Regularly inspecting a truck’s suspension to minimize felt vibrations and road bumps is similarly important.
Telematics is a game-changer in this arena. These communication technologies can reduce maintenance-related downtime and expenses by enabling remote inspections and alerting you of any emergencies. These fast responses also help you prevent maintenance-related ergonomic issues before they become prevalent.
7. Keep trucks organized
Organization is another subtle but important part of truck driving ergonomics. A poorly organized vehicle could lead to employees sifting through items to find the equipment they need. Consequently, they may bend over and twist more frequently, leading to ergonomic injuries.
The solution is to have a dedicated place for every piece of equipment in the truck. Labeling where to put each item can help, especially when placing things back in the vehicle after working with them. You may also want to clean out every truck at the end of each workday to keep the cab and any storage areas as clear as possible.
8. Listen to drivers
Finally, managers should encourage drivers to speak up about any issues they encounter while working. Some ergonomic challenges may not be immediately evident. Ongoing conversations are necessary to catch developing issues and fix them before they lead to injuries.
Your drivers are the most qualified employees to offer insight on driver safety issues. Talk to them after each trip to see if they’ve noticed anything like an issue with their seat or unstable drives that may hinder their ergonomics. Be sure to address any trends that emerge between multiple drivers.
Truck driving ergonomics is a crucial safety measure
Truck driving ergonomics may not be the most noticeable part of vehicle safety, but that’s part of what makes it so dangerous. These issues and their health effects may not be obvious until it’s too late. Businesses must be proactive about preventing them.
These eight steps will help any company improve its work truck ergonomics. Applying them to your specific vehicles and workflows will protect drivers, other in-vehicle workers and other people on the road.
