The impact of trailer coupling comfort and ergonomics on TCO

Investing in comfort and ergonomics keeps drivers safe and healthy at work — but did you know it could also lower your TCO?

For responsible fleet managers, truck comfort and ergonomics is a core part of taking care of the workforce. Ensuring the wellbeing of drivers is simply the right thing to do, and without them, the fleet would stand still — so keeping them comfortable, safe and satisfied at work is essential. 

However, investing in ergonomics and safety has extra key benefit — it can significantly reduce your fleet’s total cost of ownership (TCO). 

In a previous article, we looked at the hazards that can pose a risk to drivers and how your choice of coupling can help you avoid them.  

In this article, we’re going to focus on the role of ergonomics in TCO and why it’s an additional reason to make all your truck and trailer equipment as comfortable and safe as possible. To start with, let’s take a look at some of the main ergonomic and safety risks that affect professional drivers:  

Whole body vibration 

A poor-quality trailer coupling will give the driver a bumpy, uncomfortable ride. But it will also transfer a lot of vibration into the driver’s cabin, creating a serious risk for whole body vibration (WBV). Over time, WBV can lead to chronic pain, often in the back, neck or hips, and it’s fairly common. According to Germany Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), around 1 to 2 million workers in Germany face risks to their safety and health from exposure to WBV, and injuries from vibration injuries are one of the leading causes of long-term work-related illness. If any components on the coupling are loose or the gap between the coupling bolt and drawbar eye is too big, drivers on bumpy roads or uneven surfaces can experience uncomfortable vibrations. 

Strain injuries 

Professional drivers tend to sit for long periods and carry heavy loads during a typical shift, which puts them at high risk for strain injuries. But unergonomic trailer couplings can increase that risk even more. Opening certain manually-operated couplings forces the driver into an uncomfortable, bent-over position, especially if the coupling is mounted below the truck in an underslung position. And if the coupling isn’t well-maintained, the handle can be stiff and require significant force to operate, putting the driver at risk of strain injuries. Simply checking that the coupling is fully locked can also require the driver to get into some uncomfortable positions, adding an extra level of strain to a job that is already physically challenging. 

Accidents 

The challenges of operating manual couplings come with an additional risk — poor visibility for other drivers and road users. To operate the coupling, a driver needs to be outside their cabin, possibly crouched down next to their trailer or even reaching under it. Even if they’re wearing the right high-visibility PPE, it can be easy for other drivers on the road or at the truck terminal or logistics centre to see them. This can potentially lead to serious accidents.  

Truck terminals and logistics centres are risky environments for other reasons. Tight turns can be needed to navigate a busy loading area, which can lead to jackknifing damage to the coupling. In most cases, these incidents lead to an unnecessary service bill. But if they aren’t noticed, they can cause the coupling to become weaker and lead to more serious incidents later on. 

The impact of optimized safety and ergonomics on TCO 

The most important reason to focus on ergonomics and safety is to protect drivers from injury. Ensuring their workplace is safe and comfortable is one of an employer’s most important duties.  

But employers who work to excel in this area see other benefits than just safe and happy drivers — they avoid the significant increases in TCO caused by these factors: 

• Downtime caused by driver absence — If a driver can’t work due to injury or strain and a replacement can’t be found, work stands still.  

• Fines from authorities — Manufacturers of coupling equipment have standards and regulations to follow that ensure their products can be operated safely when used and maintained correctly. But on the road, businesses that don’t pay the required attention to driver safety rightly face the consequences. Penalties range from official warnings to prosecution and fines, which can cost companies millions. 

• The cost of sick leave — Regulations vary in different countries, but the portion of salary employers are required to pay employees that can’t work due to illness or injury can quickly become a major burden if absence levels are very high. Analysis shows that driver costs make up around a third of the total cost, and when the driver can’t work, these costs generate no value. So basic ergonomics and safety measures can quickly lead to big cost reductions. 

Reducing TCO by investing in comfort, ergonomics and safety 

Fortunately, these additional costs are preventable. Certain costs, like the costs of buying new equipment or paying staff will always be difficult to bring down. But by building a culture of safety and giving your team the equipment they need to work comfortably and ergonomically, you can reduce your TCO significantly. Equipment and coupling features like these can help you get there:  

• Remote coupling operation and locking indication — Being able to check the coupling is fully locked and open it from an ergonomic, safe position at the side of the truck (or even from within the cabin) keeps the driver out of harm’s way and helps them avoid strained, uncomfortable positions. 

• Jackknife indicators — Jackknife indicators are mounted on the coupling and give an audible warning in the driver’s cabin when the angle between the truck and trailer becomes too tight. This allows the driver to ease off the steering before any damage can occur to the coupling, cutting service bills and preventing damage that could lead to safety issues. 

• Automatic oiler — Oiling is essential to extend the life of the coupling and ensure its reliability, but depending on how the coupling is mounted, it can force the driver or mechanic into an unergonomic, strenuous position. An automatic oiler keeps the coupling performing as it should and eliminates manual work completely. 

Start reducing your TCO by investing in comfort 

Almost every truck fleet would benefit from reducing TCO. And if TCO can be reduced while also boosting safety and keeping drivers healthy, there’s no reason not to invest in ergonomics and comfort when buying truck and trailer equipment. Get in touch with us to discuss how your ergonomics and TCO could be optimized for a safer, more efficient fleet.