Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common among workers in the road freight transport industry, with drivers being one of the most at risk occupations.

WMSDs consist of injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, the nervous system, blood vessels, joints and bones.

Workers are exposed to a risk of a WMSDs from manual tasks, repetitive movements, forceful exertions, awkward postures, prolonged sitting, exposure to vibration and psychosocial hazards (such as high job demand, low job control, pace of work etc).

The best course of action is for businesses to adopt a risk management approach to eliminate and minimise the risk of WMSDs occurring. As workers are exposed to a variety of risk factors, control measures and systems of work that address these multiple factors are needed to protect workers from harm.

Not all manual tasks are hazardous. It is therefore necessary to identify those tasks that are hazardous and ensure they are adequately managed.

A hazardous manual task is a task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing involving one or more of the following:

• repetitive or sustained force
• high or sudden force
• repetitive movement
• sustained or awkward posture
• exposure to vibration.

Some of the most common sources of WMSD risk within the transport industry are:

• manual handling of freight
• securing loads
• driving
• psychosocial hazards.

Each business needs to adopt a systematic, risk management approach to managing WMSD risks.

For the above to be effective, consultation with your workers is paramount.

Your workers are the best source of information about the risks they are exposed to daily. They can provide valuable insights about discomfort, muscular aches and pains that can signal potential hazards. They can also provide valuable information on how to fix the problem.

Legal obligations

There are specific laws about managing WMSDs: See sections 60 - 61 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025.

There are also general work health and safety laws that will apply to you in any situation, including when managing WMSDs.

Manual tasks – manual handling of freight

When workers must perform a manual task (such as handling freight), there are certain risk factors that make it hazardous. These are:

• repetitive or sustained force
• high or sudden force
• repetitive movement
• sustained or awkward posture
• exposure to vibration.

When workers are exposed to these risk factors, there is a greater risk of WMSDs.

Drivers are at an increased risk due to the unique nature of their work. They may be exposed to long bouts of static postures and vibration (while driving their vehicle), followed by intense hazardous manual tasks (handling freight, securing loads, handling gates, curtains etc.)

^{Worker attempting to place a load into a truck. No tailgate lifter is installed, significantly increasing manual handling risk.}

^{Worker operating pallet jack loading truck fitted with tailgate lifter, at loading ramp at premises}

When the manual task becomes hazardous, you need to understand why. To do this, you need to identify the source of the risk associated with the hazardous manual task.

These sources of risk are outlined below, and a business has a legal obligation to consider these when determining control measures. Businesses must consider all relevant matters that may contribute to a WMSD. These may include:

• postures, movements, forces and vibration relating to the hazardous manual task
• the duration and frequency of the hazardous manual task
• workplace environmental conditions that may affect the hazardous manual task or the worker performing it
• the design of the work area
• the layout of the workplace
• the systems of work used
• the nature, size, weight or number of persons, animals or things involved in carrying out the hazardous manual task.

Several businesses may be involved in loading/ unloading freight, such as:

• the transport operator
• the business where freight is loaded/unloaded
• the business that controls mobile plant at the workplace where freight is loaded/unloaded
• the consignor or consignee of the freight.

Under workplace health and safety laws, each business shares responsibility for the health and safety of those involved in the work, to the extent of their capacity to influence and control the work.

Everyone must work together to ensure manual handling risks are eliminated, or if this is not possible, minimised.

The transport operator should:

• eliminate or reduce the need to manually handle freight – particularly heavy, awkward or bulky items – by making available fit for purpose, well-maintained equipment, such as forklifts, trolleys, pallet jacks or tailgate lifters
• work with the business where freight is loaded/unloaded to ensure the distance from the pick-up/drop-off point to the vehicle is as short as possible. Obtain as much information as possible about the site conditions and inform the driver of any potential hazards
• configure the load to ensure items are easily accessible when unloading, and ensure work is undertaken at a safe pace and avoid high workloads where possible
• consult with those involved in loading/unloading about:
  • the physical demands of the job
  • the time required to perform it safely and effectively
  • plant and equipment requirements
  • any site-specific issues
• provide workers with stable non-slip footwear, high-visibility vests and, if required, suitable protective clothing such as overalls and gloves
• provide instruction and training on the systems of work for handling freight and using equipment safely
• select equipment the user can push rather than pull – it involves less pressure on the lower back and fewer awkward postures, maximises the use of body weight and allows better vision for the worker
• check the integrity of the pack or unit and use pallets for bulk deliveries and unstable items (e.g. grain)
• ensure vehicles can be loaded and unloaded as close as possible to where the freight is found
• ensure goods can be moved along clear, wide routes
• ensure the loading/unloading area is free of clutter and designed so workers are not placed in awkward positions – e.g. reaching above shoulder height, bending over.

The business where freight is loaded/unloaded should talk to:

• the manufacturer/supplier of the freight, to ensure the shape and design of freight allows for safe loading/unloading
• the transport operator (before dispatch), to ensure they are aware of the weight and shape of the load and any particular risks associated with handling the freight and the equipment needed to load and unload.

Physical influences on WMSDs

The physical toll of sitting in and operating the vehicle must be identified, assessed and controlled.

Vehicle design:

• ensure the vehicle and cab are designed to fit the driver and reduce MSD risks
• features within and outside of the cab should be fit for purpose and adjustable (where required) to achieve this. This should be a part of your vehicle procurement procedure.

Vehicle maintenance:

• is integral for road worthiness of the vehicle and also for certain WMSD risks such as vibration.

Selection and use of in-vehicle equipment:

• ensure any equipment that is purchased and installed does not increase postural and cognitive demands on the driver.

^{Use of pallet lifter attached to vehicle loading crane to unload materials from a truck.}

Driving and psychosocial hazards

It used to be thought that WMSD risk arose only from the physical demands of work, particularly ‘manual handling’ tasks requiring forceful or highly repetitive actions.

It is now known that WMSD risk is also strongly influenced by the physiological effects of stress from workplace factors known as psychosocial hazards.

Some examples of psychosocial hazards that impact WMSD in the transport sector are:

• fatigue
• tight scheduling
• exposure to a traumatic event (e.g. road accident)
• work-related harassment and/or workplace bullying
• isolation and remote work.

Effective management of psychosocial hazards can assist in minimising WMSDs in your workplace.