Musculoskeletal problems and driving in police officers

Abstract

The Occupational Health Department of a rural police force in the UK had concerns regarding sickness absence levels due to musculoskeletal problems, particularly in officers who drove as part of their job. It was decided to conduct an interview survey comparing two groups of police officers with differing levels of exposure to driving, recording sickness absence and prevalence data related due to musculoskeletal troubles. The results indicate that exposure to car driving, both in terms of distance and hours driven, had a significant effect on self-reported low back trouble. Officers whose job mainly involved driving also experienced more low back trouble over the last 12 months than those whose job primarily involved sitting (not driving), standing and lifting tasks. Police motorcyclists had significantly higher prevalence figures for reported shoulder trouble than police car drivers.

The Effect of an Active Lumbar System on the Seating Comfort of Officers in Police Fleet Vehicles

“…In both public and occupational sectors, increased driving distances and commute times have been shown to increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders [1,2,3,4,5]. In an occupational setting, people exposed to daily prolonged driving situations (>4 h per day) have almost double the risk of missing work due to lower back pain compared to occupational groups not exposed to prolonged driving situations [1,5].…”

“…In an occupational setting, people exposed to daily prolonged driving situations (>4 h per day) have almost double the risk of missing work due to lower back pain compared to occupational groups not exposed to prolonged driving situations [1,5]. Approximately one quarter of police officers are considered prolonged drivers (>25 000 km per annum) [2]. Eighteen percent of this population reports always or often experiencing lower back pain during driving and misses ~3 times as many working days per year relative to police officers not exposed to prolonged driving [2].…”

“…Approximately one quarter of police officers are considered prolonged drivers (>25 000 km per annum) [2]. Eighteen percent of this population reports always or often experiencing lower back pain during driving and misses ~3 times as many working days per year relative to police officers not exposed to prolonged driving [2].…”

Field Quantification of Physical Exposures of Police Officers in Vehicle Operation

“…Very few studies document the physical exposures [6] and the muscular disorders [3,7] that officers experience. Conclusive quantitative geometrical and biomechanical evidence of physical stressors have not yet emerged from such studies, but subjective officer questionnaire and survey responses clearly indicate prevalence of pain and discomfort specific to the mobile police population [3,7]. Greater levels of low back, shoulder, hand, and wrist problems occur with increased exposure to occupational driving, specifically within mobile officers [7].…”

“…Conclusive quantitative geometrical and biomechanical evidence of physical stressors have not yet emerged from such studies, but subjective officer questionnaire and survey responses clearly indicate prevalence of pain and discomfort specific to the mobile police population [3,7]. Greater levels of low back, shoulder, hand, and wrist problems occur with increased exposure to occupational driving, specifically within mobile officers [7]. Despite these previous research efforts, modern advances in technology throw into question the current suitability of conclusions regarding design of patrol car interiors.…”