Cranking can lead to truck driver injuries

Most people in Minnesota think truck driver injuries as something related to accidents, but that is not always the case. Injuries can involve various aspects of operating their rigs, leading to claims resulting from repetitive movements.

Proper cranking techniques

Does your trucking company teach the property technique you should use when cranking up your rig? If not, you could be prone to shoulder injuries from improper techniques that will qualify for workers’ compensation. A recent study Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and North Carolina State University has suggested that truck drivers’ position when cranking their rigs up or down plays a big role in whether they will get scapular injuries.

When raising a trailer, truckers should stand parallel to it while cranking as it uses more body strength and is safer, lessening the workload on the shoulder. When lowering a trailer, truckers should face the trailer and crank the handle frontally. However, even when cranking frontally when lowering a trailer, drivers are subject to shoulder rotations, leading to rubbing and grinding of the ligaments and increasing wear and tear that can cause pain and injury.

What to do when you have injuries caused by cranking

First off, you should never ignore the pain that developed from a repetitive injury. The first step involves getting a diagnosis and treatment from a qualified doctor. When you get that diagnosis, it’s essential for your doctor to prove that your injury was caused by movements that you performed on the job, whether it involves cranking or another type of repetitive action. Some trucking companies will do everything in their power to prove that your injury did not occur while working or that you are somehow responsible for it.

If your trucking company did not provide you with proper instruction on how to crank your trailer up or down, you may have a stronger case against them. But even if the company did, you still should be able to file a worker’s compensation claim when you follow the correct procedure and have the proper documents that will confirm your injury.