ERGONOMICS - How to Spot and Avoid Potential Ergonomic Injuries

Several factors hinder improving workplace ergonomics for truck fleet drivers. However, growing government enforcement efforts will hold fleet managers and their companies accountable for regulatory compliance.

By Richard Alaniz

Over the years, many industries have improved the ergonomics of their employee working conditions, thereby minimizing Workers' Compensation claims and days missed from the job. Office chairs, keyboards, computer screens, and other types of equipment have been specifically redesigned to reduce incidents of carpal-tunnel syndrome, eye strain, back pain, etc. 

Adapting the truck "office on wheels" to increase ergonomic comfort and minimize injuries is more difficult. However, more than ever, employers now must understand their legal responsibilities and liabilities of drive injury from poorly designed or maintained trucks and equipment. 

Not only has the rate of ergonomic injuries in some segments of the trucking industry remained stubbornly high, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced plans to hone in on employer recordkeeping of illnesses and injuries. OSHA's plans put more pressure on managers to ensure they accurately record every case of injury and illness, including those caused by poorly designed equipment. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, tracks the rate of ergonomic injuries - so-called "musculoskeletal disorders" (MSDs). The bureau defines MSDs as those "affecting the connective tissues of the body, such as muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs." 

The overall rate of MSDs among private sector employees has actually declined, according to most recent statistics. In 2007, MSDs accounted for 29 percent of all workplace injuries requiring time away from work, compared to 30 percent in 2006. Nonetheless, some trucking industry segments have far higher MSD rates than the average. In 2007, light-duty and delivery-truck drivers suffered a rate of 177 MSD cases per 10,000 workers. That figure compares to the overall nationwide average rate of 35 MSD cases per 10,000 full-time workers. 

Such injury leads to time off from work and compensation claims, and could leave employers open to allegations of not ensuring a safe working environment. To minimize legal risks for ergonomic injuries, truck fleet managers must understand the factors that lead to such injuries and how these factors can be avoided or minimized. 

Industry Changes Contribute to Ergonomic Injuries

Truck drivers, in particular, struggle with high rates of ergonomic injuries for several reasons: 

Right-Sizing. The rise in gas prices, along with concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, has increased interest in using smaller trucks whenever possible. While more compact or lighter trucks lower fuel bills, they provide less room for drivers. For taller operators, this can be a particular problem when entering and exiting cabs and while driving the vehicle. Drivers above average in height must "fold" their bodies into a smaller cab, creating uncomfortable driving conditions and leading to or aggravating ergonomic injuries. 

At the other end of the spectrum, large trucks can also exacerbate the chance of ergonomic injuries for some drivers. Shorter drivers can be at risk if they must stretch and strain while entering and leaving trucks, reaching for the gas pedal or brake, or attempting to access truck compartments. To help eliminate height-caused strain, some truck models offer adjustable fuel and brake pedals. Aftermarket pedal adjustment kits are also available. 

Mobile Office Equipment. As trucks increasingly serve as mobile offices, the truck cab has become a crowded environment. Global positioning satellite systems, mobile computers, vehicle diagnostic systems, and the like offer many advantages, such as increased efficiencies. At the same time, this equipment can lead directly to ergonomic injuries. No longer an office worker injury, truck drivers now experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Operators must input data into a small computer while sitting in acramped truck cab - a much different environment than most offices. Without the luxury of desk space for wrist supports, cushions, and other ergonomic-friendly devices, operators can be at risk of wrist strain. 

Increasingly crowded cabs also provide truck drivers less room to move. This can aggravate one of the greatest difficulties truck drivers face: back problems. 

Physically Unfit Drivers. The explosion in obesity among Americans also contributes to the problem of ergonomic injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, "during the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States." Last year, Colorado was the only state in which less than 20 percent of the population was obese. In six other states, 30 percent or more of the population was obese. 

By the very nature of their jobs, truck drivers must remain generally sedentary with few opportunities for exercise or stretching that could help minimize ergonomic problems. 

Employers Required to Keep Records

Poor ergonomics are a productivity issue, but they can also bring legal liabilities and risks. Keeping records of ergonomic injuries can pose a major pitfall for many employers. 

According to the OSHA Act of 1970, employers must "maintain accurate records of, and to make periodic reports on, work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses." Currently, these records include the OSHA 300 logs for "Recording Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses." As part of these logs, employers must record work-related injuries and illnesses that result in death, loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work activity or job transfer, or medical treatment beyond first aid - including ergonomic injuries. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses these records to track workplace injuries and illnesses. Such records have shown the rate of U.S. workforce injuries generally has declined. According to the Bureau, "The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly - by 0.2 cases per 100 workers - each year since 2003." 

However, these rosy figures have come under fire from Congress recently, amid concerns injuries are underreported. The fallout from fears of underreporting may impact employers directly. The recent Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama March 11, boosted OSHA's funding by $27 million. As part of that increase, the Department of Labor has been instructed to "begin rebuilding OSHA's enforcement capacity and to increase the pace of standard setting. An important component of this mission is to enhance enforcement and oversight of injury and illness recordkeeping to ensure complete and accurate recording and reporting by employers." 

The Act instructs OSHA to direct $1 million for a "recordkeeping enforcement initiative on injury and illness reporting, addressing apparent incomplete reporting in the OSHA Log of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses." 

How Employers Can Ensure Compliance

With OSHA's recordkeeping under the microscope, fleet managers must heighten efforts to ensure their records are accurate. Not only must employers accurately record every injury and illness they become aware of, they must also ensure employees convey information about injuries. 

In light of these trends, proactively working to minimize the chance of injuries from poor ergonomics represents the best approach. According to OSHA, employers can take several approaches when trying to determine if work conditions may contribute to employees' development of ergonomic injuries. 

Review and analyze injury and illness records. Employers should review their OSHA 300 logs and Workers' Comp claims for patterns of injuries. With this information, employers can work to address the conditions causing the problems. 

Analyze jobs and work tasks to identify potential problems before injuries occur. OSHA also recommends communicating with operators to determine where problems may exist. This can be done through talking directly with employees, conducting symptom surveys, and using employee questionnaires. 

OSHA also recommends keeping up-to-date on industry trends to uncover similar problems competitors may be experiencing. 

Education is an important aspect of minimizing the risk of ergonomic injuries. Employers should educate managers and operators on the different types of equipment that can increase or lower the risk of ergonomic injuries. 

When equipment is installed, employers should also consider how and where the equipment is used. For example, computers and GPS systems should be placed in truck cabs with an eye towards relieving potential neck, wrist, or eye strain operators may develop from using the equipment. 

Ergonomic injuries remain a significant issue in the trucking industry. Problems with ergonomics can cause driver discomfort and pain, leading to time off and Workers' Comp claims. Poor ergonomics also represents a safety risk - drivers who are uncomfortable or tired, or have trouble focusing represent a safety risk to themselves and others. By improving ergonomics, educating employees about ergonomic risks, and ensuring all recordkeeping is thorough and complete, employers can boost productivity and increase operator health, while minimizing the chance of claims or lawsuits.