By Kristen Sims-Koenig, DAT, LAT, ATC, OTC
Injury Prevention Specialist, Fit For Work
Key Insights
- Driver injuries don’t only occur behind the wheel. Entry, exit, and load handling create significant risk.
- Cab ergonomics and movement habits prevent strain before pain appears.
- Small daily routines outperform reactive injury response.
- Early support and education lead to more resilient drivers.
Driving a truck might seem like a lower-risk role where musculoskeletal injuries are concerned, but is that really the case?
Commercial drivers can experience injuries both in and around the vehicle cab since their roles involve far more than driving. While drivers may spend much of their time in the cab, they also maneuver cargo during loading and unloading. Delivery locations may present risks due to uneven surfaces and obstacles. According to OSHA, common trucking industry injuries include strains and sprains, bruises, and soreness. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that worker motion or position is the second most common source of injury for truck drivers, highlighting the importance of ergonomics.
New hire drivers are often at greater risk due to improper lifting techniques, particularly when they are unfamiliar with the tight environments typical of commercial driving. More seasoned drivers may face increased risk of chronic conditions such as arthritis, artificial joints with limited mobility, and inflammation. When developing an ergonomics program, the unique needs associated with different experience levels and life stages should be considered.
Ergonomics as a Preventive Safety Tool
Cab Ergonomics: Reducing Strain Before It Starts
Commercial drivers spend most of their time in the truck’s cab, so correct seat adjustments and stretching programs are an essential foundation of ergonomic health. Drivers may be in a different truck each day, which makes it very important that they understand why and how to adjust their seat correctly.
The principles of correct seat positioning are very similar to those for office workers:
- Maintain 90-degree angles from hip to knee and knee to ankle
- Adjust lumbar support to fit the individual’s needs
- Move the seat a comfortable distance from the pedals
- Self-check posture before moving—shoulders back, head in alignment
A correctly positioned seat is only half the equation; drivers also need to stretch before and after long driving periods. Routines should be simple and easy for drivers to complete independently before they make their first drop (delivery stop), and then again mid-shift at a minimum.
Safe Entry, Exit, and Movement Around the Vehicle
Environmental awareness is key to avoiding slips, trips, and falls around the tractor and trailer. The most important technique for commercial drivers to learn and implement consistently is maintaining three points of contact when entering or exiting the truck cab or climbing on ladders and platforms: either both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand. Fewer points of contact greatly increase the risk of falling. Reminders posted on trucks and in other areas where ladders or platforms are used keep this practice top of mind.
Always maintain three points of contact when entering, exiting, or moving around the vehicle.
When making drops, drivers need to be aware of obstacles such as curbs and manhole covers. This attention allows drivers to position trailers well and plan their routes to maneuver around hazards safely.
Along with environmental awareness, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when moving around the vehicle maintains driver safety. Recommended PPE includes:
- Footwear that promotes stability and traction, often steel-toed with a high ankle and nonslip tread
- High-visibility vests, straps, or coats, depending on the season and work environment
- Caution cones around all exit points of the truck
- Cut-resistant gloves that provide good grip, without minimizing dexterity
Ergonomic Cargo Handling and Load Management
Commercial drivers often find themselves moving awkward loads in tight spaces as pallets are stacked high on each side of a trailer, often leaving little room for maneuvering. Preventing overexertion injuries requires consistent application of proper lifting techniques and use of mechanical aids, dollies, or team lifts when available.
Mechanical aids include:
- Hydraulic assists for rear ramps which are heavy, long, and difficult to maneuver manually, thus helping reduce strain on drivers
- Curb ramps reduce the effort required to move product over curbs (e.g., moving a pallet up onto a sidewalk for delivery)
Preventative Health Routines for Long-Term Driver Safety
Daily Stretching and Microbreak Strategies
How do we motivate drivers to consistently integrate stretching and microbreaks into their daily routine?
By making them quick and easy to use. Routines should be designed for effective warm-up and mid-shift use, but drivers can also do stretches individually to target areas of stiffness identified during microbreaks. Microbreaks are 10-15-second body check-ins and should be used regularly to identify signs of fatigue and reset posture.
Drivers who work in teams are encouraged to communicate with their partners, using available job rotations and prioritizing rest time efficiently.
Technology can play a helpful role in reminding drivers to move regularly, too. Wearable fitness devices are becoming readily available and prompt movement if the wearer has been sitting still for an extended period. While achieving movement can be challenging if a driver is sitting in traffic or driving on a long route, providing safe options for small stretches and movements in the cab can be a great compromise that still benefits the driver.
Building Sustainable Wellness Habits On and Off the Road
Small, repeatable habits like warm-ups, self-checks of posture, and hydration and nutrition tips reduce chronic strain. Consistent education on the early signs of musculoskeletal disorders is also key, especially when coupled with a strong culture of care that promotes reaching out to wellness experts for appropriate resources when an issue is identified.
Nutrition and hydration can be challenging for commercial drivers. Convenience food options are common but tend to have low nutrient density. Suggesting higher nutrient-dense options can support outcomes like improved energy, better focus, and staying full longer. Injury Prevention Specialists can help drivers determine how much hydration is appropriate for their situation and body as well. In hot climates, increasing electrolytes can be beneficial.
Integrating wellness into pre-trip and post-trip rituals is an effective way to create positive habits.
Pre-trip rituals might include:
- Complete a pre-trip checklist for the truck, verifying all equipment is in working order and safety cones are present
- Make sure water and food are packed
- Check that appropriate PPE is ready
Post-trip rituals should include care for the body before going home:
- Spend 5 minutes daily using a foam roller to reduce soreness, improve tissue mobility, and support your overall mobility program
- Use a massage gun or compression equipment on the legs to stimulate blood flow
- A heat pack is a great way to soothe soreness and increase elasticity of soft tissue structures, improving recovery time
- Talk to the Injury Prevention Specialist about nutritional needs
Preventing Escalation Through Early Support
As Injury Prevention Specialists, our mission is to be a resource to the employees we serve, preventing injuries and improving wellness both on and off the job.
A recent experience with a newly hired truck driver demonstrates that mission in action. After completing his initial training, the driver shared that he has experienced severe muscle tension in his forearms for years, significantly limiting wrist mobility. He was concerned that the hands-on training lab might prove challenging. After an assessment, he was given some simple stretches and exercises to perform at home.
Several days later, the driver enthusiastically demonstrated that his wrist mobility had improved significantly, not only increasing his confidence in performing his new role as a truck driver but resolving discomfort he had endured for years. He has gone on to be very successful in his role and is a strong advocate for the ergonomics program.
Developing that strong mission and culture of care promotes buy-in from employees. Achieving that with one employee is a good start; however, when the entire organization is invested, the results are truly outstanding. One facility recently reached a 500‑day transportation safety milestone, reflecting what’s possible when early intervention and consistent support are embedded into daily operations.
Conclusion
Creating a culture of safety is key to implementing lasting change and developing a strong relationship-driven wellness program that addresses driver needs at all career stages.
Evaluate current practices, implement small daily changes, and build a workplace culture that prioritizes driver well-being.
Open communication allows providers to deliver meaningful feedback and appropriate changes. The bottom line: Drivers leave for the day feeling better, supported, and confident in their ability to stay healthy throughout their careers.
If your organization is exploring ways to prevent injuries before they escalate, contact us to discuss a proactive approach.
Kristen Sims-Koenig earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Texas Lutheran University. She later completed her doctoral degree in athletic training at Indiana State University, with a focus on continuing education. Kristen joined Fit For Work in 2021 and provides onsite services to clients in Texas.
