Transportation Ergonomics

The human body is not designed to safely and comfortably sit to the extent that is required of most of us do in today’s world. In addition to the sitting required in the office setting, many occupations require us to sit while driving vehicles or operating equipment. Additional factors of driving expose us to the vibration associated with riding or operating equipment and the continuous grasping and manipulating controls and the steering wheel.

Occupations such as pharmaceutical representatives, delivery personnel, law enforcement officers, and many other professions are subject to spending many hours each week traveling in the vehicle. In addition to the driving, other exertional factors may be present such as the loading and retrieving of product sample cases (such as the case with pharmaceutical reps) where a large briefcase or rolling luggage is used to transport products between the vehicle and the client’s office. In the interest of safety, proper lifting techniques should be employed every time items are loaded or unloaded from the vehicle.

Many of the office ergonomic strategies apply to the vehicle with regard to the proper ergonomics of sitting in the office environment. Seat should be adjusted as high as necessary for safe visibility of the roadway.

Seat tilt should be adjusted for optimal support and to reduce pressure on the thighs and buttocks.

Seat should be adjusted forward or back to allow for easy comfortable access to operate the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals.

Seat back should be adjusted forward so that the front edge of the seat does not create pressure behind the knee. Pressure behind the knee restricts blood circulation to the lower extremities. 

Adjust the seat back upward so that the back, neck, and head are in proper alignment. If the seat is reclined back too far, the neck and head must bend forward continuously while driving. This places stress on the back, shoulders and neck.

Adjusts the lumbar support of the seat so that it properly fills in and supports the lower back area while driving. This also helps you maintain an upright posture and keeps you from sliding forward in your vehicle seat. If the lumbar area of the back is flattened due to poor lumbar support of the seat, the rest of the upper body is out of proper alignment. This requires continuous muscle tension to maintain the upper back, neck, and head in the upright posture needed for driving and safely operating equipment.

Adjust the headrest of the vehicle to provide support and protection in the event of a collision.

Steering wheel should be adjusted for the most comfort possible. Most vehicle steering wheels adjust “near to far” and “up to down” and some adjust with the tilt to provide optimal positioning of the upper extremities.

Remember to take frequent breaks (at least every hour or two) to allow muscles to relax and to promote increased blood circulation throughout the body. Remember, when you start to feel drowsy, take a break from driving by taking a few minutes to stand and walk to allow blood and oxygen to replenish your energy level and your ability to concentrate for safe driving and equipment operation.

Ergonomic News
Steven Gray
A.O.E.S. Ergo Results, Inc.

Steven Gray is the CEO and Lead Ergonomic Consultant of Ergo Results, Inc.  Since 1985, Steve has provided his consulting services to corporations, schools, small businesses, insurance organizations, business executives, professional athletes, and people from all occupations and walks of life. His passion for creating healthy work environments in the world has resulted in his conducting over 1700 ergonomic workstation evaluations and job analysis assessments to aid individuals and employers in the pursuit of a healthier, more productive and rewarding work and life experience. Steve diligently applies his expertise to the benefit of individuals and corporations alike.
Steven holds certification as an Accredited Office Ergonomic Specialist from North Carolina State University and has additional Advanced Ergonomics Evaluation Specialist training through the CEES certification program in industrial, medical and office ergonomics. Steven is a member of the Puget Sound Human Factors Society.