It goes without saying that regardless of the occupation, all employees require appropriate conditions at their workstations to perform efficiently. At the same time, while the quality of workplace ergonomics may be good, the peculiarities of work-related activities may cause substantial health problems. Thus, sedentary office workers frequently report low back and neck pain that becomes chronic due to a fixed posture and the absence of movement (Akkarakittichoke et al., 2022). At the same time, more active employees at industrial workstations may also suffer from back and neck issues due to repetitive motion disorders. When a person performs the same activities, his back and neck may experience additional stress due to the use of the same muscle groups on a regular basis.
At the same time, there are multiple strategies for the reduction of repetitive motion disorders and associated health issues. First of all, they may be mitigated through a postural shift intervention. Workers should be allowed to alternate a worker’s positions in their workstation and change tasks during a shift – in this case, all muscle groups, tendons, and joints will work and rest optimally, reducing the risk of muscle tension (Akkarakittichoke et al., 2022). Another efficient intervention is active breaks that may be introduced as a part of a company’s stretch and flex program. This program generally includes stretching before a shift and the repetition of exercises throughout it on the basis of employees’ type of work and individual needs. This intervention may be regarded as highly beneficial for individuals’ health as it allows the prevent the occurrence of unnecessary stress on muscles and related pain.
Truck driving may be viewed as one of the most challenging occupations not only because of the substantial risk of road accidents but the serious impact of its peculiarities on health as well. An over-the-road truck driver who has been driving for more than 20 years may experience constant pain in the lower back and neck due to the effects of the truck, road conditions, and body build. The first threat of truck driving is vibration produced by the truck’s engine and even the slightest imperfections of the road surface, and its avoidance is impossible even if an air-ride seat and air-ride cab are available. Vibration causes negative changes in an individual’s structural system as the body is forced to adapt to new conditions, constantly making subtle adjustments that lead to headaches, muscle fatigue, and associated pain in the lower back and neck (Salmoni et al., 2007). This pain is aggravated by the absence of movement, a fixed posture, and repetitive motions related to driving.
While the negative impact of truck driving on a person’s health is natural, especially considering the years of experience, it may be nevertheless reduced. First of all, a truck should be equipped with an ergonomically designed seat to minimize the risk of injury caused by vibration and fixed posture. In addition, a driver may customize his seat in accordance with his needs – for example, he may place a lumbar pillow or a rolled blanket between a seat and the back to support the latter’s natural curve. Moreover, it is essential to introduce stretch and flex exercises in a daily routine in order to switch activities and reduce additional muscle stress.
References
Akkarakittichoke, N., Jensen, M. P., Newman, A. K., Waongenngarm, P., & Janwantanakul, P. (2022). Characteristics of office workers who benefit most from interventions for preventing neck and low back pain: A moderation analysis. Pain Reports, 7(3), 1-8. Web.
Salmoni, A. W., Cann, A. P., Gillin, E. K., & Eger, T. R. (2008). Case studies in whole-body vibration assessment in the transportation industry—Challenges in the field. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 38(9), 783–791.
Stack, T., Ostrom, L. T., & Wilhelmsen, C. A. (2016). Occupational ergonomics: A practical approach. Wiley.