Strain, Pain & Bad Backs
How to reduce injuries and worker fatigue for your fleet drivers.
Ergonomics used to be the catch phrase for white-collar workers in pursuit of the ideal sitting position that would allow them to work behind a desk for hours on end with keyboard and mouse at hand.
Today, fleet professionals recognize the fact that ergonomics is key to the health and safety of all workers, whether they spend countless hours at the office in front of a computer, or long days on the road behind the wheel of a medium-duty truck.
The latter face constant physical demands throughout their workday. Even for workers in excellent physical condition, the cumulative strain of repetitive motions and poor ergonomics can take a toll over time.
According to Holman’s Regional Engineering Manager Pete Petrizzo, the physical realities of vocational work make ergonomic design a critical consideration from day one.
Injury reports and worker feedback
How can you tell if your truck fleet has an ergonomics problem? According to Petrizzo, lower-back strain, shoulder injuries, and overall fatigue frequently show up in injury reports. However, recognizing when ergonomics need attention requires a multi-faceted approach. Injury data is an obvious starting point, but it shouldn’t be your only source of information. “Operator feedback is just as valuable, if not more so,” Petrizzo adds.
In addition, safety audits and jobsite ride-alongs can provide real-world insights, Petrizzo explains, especially when new vehicle configurations are introduced. Together, these inputs give fleet managers a clearer picture of where improvements are needed.
Upfits and upgrades
Fortunately, there are a number of ergonomic upfits available for medium-duty trucks. “Common solutions include slide-out drawers, low-reach shelving, drop-down ladder racks, grab-handle improvements, access steps, and lift-assist devices, to name a few,” Petrizzo says. Each of these features is designed to reduce the need for excessive lifting, reaching, or climbing, all of which are key contributors to fatigue and injury.
Whenever possible, Petrizzo recommends incorporating these features, “when spec’ing and ordering new vehicles as it is typically easier and more cost effective. However, retrofitting existing vehicles is also a viable strategy, particularly for fleets looking to extend the life and usability of assets already in service.”
The core benefit of ergonomic upfits is simple: They bring the work closer to the operator. Instead of climbing into a truck bed or reaching overhead for equipment, workers can access tools and materials at a safer, more natural height. This reduces strain on the body—especially the back, shoulders, and knees—while also improving efficiency on the job.
Practical advice
For fleet managers looking to take action, Petrizzo offers straightforward advice: Start by engaging the people who use the vehicles every day. “Your operators in the field know precisely how vehicles and equipment are being used on a daily basis and can provide extremely valuable insight into the challenges they typically face,” he says.
Holman also recommends standardizing ergonomic specs when possible, focusing on high-impact areas like tool access and ladder management.
Ultimately, ergonomics should be treated as a core component of a fleet’s safety program. The payoff is tangible: fewer injuries, reduced downtime, improved morale, and a more efficient workforce.
