How to help drivers prevent injuries: 5 ergonomic musts

July 16, 2025

Ergonomic injuries don’t always come from one wrong move.

Sometimes they build up over years. Until one day, after two decades on the road, a driver hops down from the cab and feels a sharp pain in the knee. Or pulls the fifth wheel pin the wrong way and strains a shoulder.

Whether it’s a sudden injury or a slow-onset problem like joint wear, the result is the same: time off work, pain, and possibly a career cut short.

Driving 12 to 14 hours a day puts serious strain on the body. Without the right balance of movement, posture, and equipment, drivers can pay the price long before retirement.

These five tips, taken from the new CarriersEdge Driver Ergonomics course, are designed to help fleet managers start conversations with drivers about staying strong and pain-free, so they can keep doing the job they love, without it breaking them down.

#1 Start with neutral posture

Many drivers compensate for old injuries or discomfort without even realizing it, leaning to one side, slouching, or propping themselves up on one arm or leg. Over time, those habits add up. That’s why it’s important to talk with drivers about neutral posture, and how to train their body (and brain) to maintain it.

A good neutral posture means ears, shoulders, and hips are aligned, the core is lightly engaged, and the arms stay close to the body, resting on armrests when seated. That posture protects joints, relieves strain, and keeps the body working the way it’s meant to.

Tip to share with drivers: Try doing a quick posture check at stoplights or rest breaks. Ask yourself: Are my ears, shoulders, and hips lined up? Is my core engaged? Are my arms relaxed and close to my sides?

#2 Encourage stretch breaks, even while seated

Sitting for long periods isn’t what the human body was built for. Circulation slows, spinal discs get compressed, and muscles fatigue from staying locked in the same position. Over time, that combination can lead to back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, especially for drivers logging 14-hour days.

Even small, in-seat movements can help. Encourage drivers to treat stoplights and weigh station lines as mini stretch breaks. Shifting posture and activating different muscle groups improves circulation, eases joint tension, and helps counteract the pressure that builds in the spine from sitting.

Tip to share with drivers: At a stoplight, take a moment to reset: shift your weight in the seat, extend your legs, shrug your shoulders, and rotate your wrists. It may not look like much, but your body will notice.

#3 Reset after driving to counteract vibration

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a daily part of the job, but it’s more than just annoying. Over time, exposure to road and engine vibration can affect drivers' posture, muscle awareness, and coordination. In some cases, it can even dull sensation in the lower back, shoulders, and neck.

When drivers jump straight from the cab into physical work—like adjusting equipment or cranking landing gear—they risk injury, especially if they can't fully feel or control their movements. That’s why it's important to build in a short recovery window after long stints behind the wheel.

Tip to share with drivers: After a long drive, take a minute before starting physical tasks. Stand up, walk around your vehicle, stretch gently, and roll your shoulders. Think of it as turning your body “back on” and warming up before it has to do heavy lifting.

#4 Reinforce good form during physical tasks

Most drivers know that posture matters in the seat, but what about outside the cab? Many injuries happen not because of one big mistake, but because of small habits repeated the wrong way: twisting awkwardly, bending with the back, or yanking equipment without proper support.

That’s why it helps to talk with drivers about body mechanics during everyday tasks like adjusting landing gear, climbing into the trailer, or checking the fifth wheel. A few simple form reminders can go a long way in keeping injuries off the books.

Tip to share with drivers: Remember general rules for good form and have the awareness to apply them:

• Use a stable stance with your feet shoulder-width apart for balance and your knees slightly bent
• Keep your back in neutral posture as much as possible
• Bend from your knees, not your waist
• Brace yourself with one hand for stability when cranking, checking, or lifting

#5 Promote the right tools for the job

Outside the cab, everyday tasks like checking the fifth wheel, lifting tarps, or climbing up for inspections can put serious strain on the body if done without support. The good news? There are simple tools that reduce effort and make tough jobs safer.

Whether it’s a pin puller, tire step, or tandem axle stopper, using the right equipment helps drivers maintain better posture, avoid awkward movements, and reduce the physical stress on joints and muscles. Most of these tools are inexpensive and easy to find at truck stops or online, and they can pay off by preventing costly injuries.

Tip to share with drivers: Use a pin puller with both hands and proper stance when releasing the fifth wheel. This reduces strain on the shoulders and back. When sliding trailer tandems, a tandem stopper can save time and minimize the number of times you need to climb in and out of the cab.

These five tips are just a starting point. There’s a lot more to know about preventing injuries both in the cab and on the ground. For a deeper dive into the habits, techniques, and tools that support long-term health and safety, encourage your drivers to take the CarriersEdge Driver Ergonomics course, which will soon be available. Not a CarriersEdge customer? Get a free trial here.

It’s a simple way to help drivers stay comfortable, reduce injury risk, and keep doing the work they enjoy without pain getting in the way.