Beverage route drivers endure one of the most physically demanding jobs in the delivery industry, according to Carl Boettcher, chief executive officer and founder of HTS Systems Lock N Roll LLC, Scranton, Pa. “Pulling a full half-keg of beer from a cellar basement [and] up two flights of stairs is no picnic for anyone,” he points out. On top of the load-bearing requirements of the job, beverage delivery personnel also have to work to stay on schedule, which can sometimes mean rushing without stopping to think about proper lifting ergonomics, he notes.

“When drivers rush quickly or attempt to make up lost route time, they often make mistakes while hurrying,” Boettcher says. “Most back injuries are caused by acting first, without thinking. Just twisting a heavy load or lifting quickly the wrong way can put you in the hospital for days.”