Mobile employees often treat their vehicle as a secondary workspace, yet vehicle ergonomics are rarely reviewed with the same scrutiny as office workstations.
This case study demonstrates how a targeted ergonomic car assessment identified the root cause of persistent hip pain in a mobile worker and provided practical, evidence-based solutions for both the employee and employer.
Why Ergonomic Car Assessments Matter for Mobile Workers
Employees in sales, field engineering, healthcare, and community-based roles may spend several hours per day driving.
Without proper ergonomic setup, prolonged sitting and repeated vehicle entry and exit can contribute to:
- Hip and lower back pain
- Musculoskeletal strain
- Reduced mobility
- Increased sickness absence risk
An ergonomic car assessment ensures that driving posture, vehicle setup, and in-car working practices are aligned with the individual’s physical needs and job demands.
The Workplace Challenge
A mobile sales employee had been experiencing persistent left hip pain for over 12 months.
Role demands included:
- Several hours of driving daily
- Frequent vehicle entry and exit
- Occasional laptop use within the vehicle
Symptoms were consistently aggravated by prolonged sitting, raising concerns about long-term musculoskeletal risk and ongoing discomfort.
What Does an Ergonomic Car Assessment Involve?
One of our ergonomists conducted a face-to-face ergonomic vehicle assessment at the employee’s workplace.
The assessment reviewed:
- Driving posture and seat positioning
- Seat height and adjustability
- Steering wheel and pedal alignment
- Entry and exit movement patterns
- Work tasks completed inside the vehicle
- Laptop use within the car
The approach was collaborative and focused on identifying the underlying biomechanical causes rather than simply adjusting surface-level positioning.
Key Findings from the Vehicle Assessment
The assessment identified several contributing risk factors:
- Low Seat Height
The employee’s knees were positioned higher than his hips, increasing hip flexion and strain.
- Limited Seat Adjustability
The current vehicle offered restricted adjustment options, preventing optimal posture alignment.
- Repetitive Entry and Exit Movements
Frequent hip flexion and external rotation during entry and exit were aggravating symptoms.
- Vehicle Type Influence
The employee reported that previous use of higher-seated vehicles had reduced discomfort, indicating vehicle design was a significant factor.
These findings confirmed that the issue was not solely posture-related, but linked to the relationship between vehicle design, exposure duration, and repetitive movement patterns.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
Clear, practical recommendations were provided to support both the employee and management:
- Consider allocating a vehicle with a higher seating position
- Allow the employee to test-drive future vehicles prior to allocation
- Reduce laptop use in the car where possible
- Encourage regular movement breaks during long driving periods
- Introduce interim seating supports if required
The recommendations were proportionate, cost-conscious, and focused on reducing long-term musculoskeletal risk.
The Outcome for Employee and Employer
Following the assessment:
- The employee felt listened to, validated, and better informed
- Clear steps were provided to reduce discomfort
- Management received documented, defensible guidance to support vehicle allocation decisions
“Acorn were fantastic… They helped me understand the problems I was experiencing and made me feel validated.”
The case provided reassurance to both parties that risks were being managed proactively and appropriately.
Employer Benefits of Ergonomic Car Assessments
For organisations with mobile workforces, ergonomic vehicle assessments can:
- Reduce musculoskeletal injury risk
- Support employee wellbeing and retention
- Prevent long-term absence
- Provide evidence of proactive duty of care
- Inform vehicle procurement decisions
- Reduce potential liability
Importantly, they transform vehicle allocation from an operational decision into an informed health and risk management decision.
Key Takeaway
This case study highlights how a structured ergonomic car assessment can:
- Identify the root cause of persistent musculoskeletal symptoms
- Deliver targeted, practical workplace adjustments
- Protect employee health
- Provide employers with clear, evidence-based recommendations
For businesses with mobile sales teams, field-based staff, or community workers, reviewing vehicle ergonomics is not just best practice, it is preventative risk management.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss ergonomic car assessments for your mobile workforce, our team would be happy to advise.
📞 01260 277797