Back to basics and back to work
Masterlease supports major ergonomics driving study to reduce
back pain absenteeism
Drivers who complete more than 25,000 business miles per year are the subject of a major academic study examining the link between lower back pain and the modern phenomenon of absenteeism caused by using cars as mobile offices.
The study from Loughborough University is sponsored by the BUPA Foundation and with the help of fleet management company, Masterlease has successfully contacted hundreds of fleet drivers who volunteered to participate in the three-year study which is scheduled to report its final conclusions later this year.
Over the last two and a half years, lead investigator Dr Diane Gyi and Dr Kate Sang, both from the University’s Department of Human Sciences sampled four large organisations representing a cross section of British business drivers as part of this participatory ergonomics study.
The objective of the study is to reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) outlined in a previous study by Dr Gyi which revealed that 65 per cent of business drivers reported lower back trouble, 43 per cent complained of neck trouble and 40 per cent suffered with shoulder problems. The respondents have reported initial symptoms back to the researchers and tailored behaviour changes have been recommended for them to follow. Improvements in low back pain as a result of such changes will be reported.
In the meantime the University has created a website www.drivingergonomics.com for all business drivers which is aimed at reducing MSDs through helpful driving tips and advice.
Such tips include regular breaks, changing driving position and not lifting too many items at once such as laptops, projectors or heavy product samples.
“We have had an excellent feedback to this study with some companies providing us with response rates of up to 68 per cent. In helping us to achieve this, companies such as Masterlease have been extremely accommodating,” says Dr Sang, Post Doctoral Research Associate.
“We will publish the findings later in 2009, but in the meantime drivers wanting to learn more about correct posture, lifting of heavy equipment from their cars should visit the website www.drivingergonomics.com.”
Peter Tatlock, managing director of Masterlease, says: “This is such an important area of research because it goes to the heart of risk and HR issues, both of which are key to the increasing workload of fleet managers. It is important that drivers who fit into the criteria of the study look at website especially if they have experienced any discomfort as a result of driving long distances. We look forward to seeing the final findings of the study, but drivers can do more now to make their working lives better and avoid unnecessary illness and avoidable absenteeism.”
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