Loading and unloading by lorry drivers and musculoskeletal complaints

The objectives of this study were to investigate (a) the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in lorry drivers, and (b) the relationship between the prevalence and the way of loading and unloading the cargo. The sample consisted of 975 lorry drivers, 534 of whom returned a completed questionnaire (response 55%). 45% of the respondents reported back complaints. The shoulder and knee were also often specified (26% and 24% respectively). The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints increased with age. Four different groups of lorry drivers whose work involved physical loading and unloading activities (transporting goods on pallets, on wheeled cages, as packed goods, and as bulk cargo) were compared with a group of lorry drivers whose work did not involve such activities. By means of multiple logistic regression analysis it appeared that lorry drivers transporting wheeled cages or packed goods had more problems with loading and unloading and were at a greater risk of having musculoskeletal complaints.