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Assessing the performance of various restraints on ambulance patient compartment workers during crash events.

Green JD; Yannaccone JR; Current RS; Sicher LA; Moore PH; Whitman GR

Int J Crashworthiness 2010 Oct; 15(5):517-541

https://doi.org/10.1080/13588265.2010.489402

20037891

The inability of emergency medical service (EMS) workers to remain safely restrained while treating patients in the patient compartment of a moving ambulance has been identified as a key impediment to EMS worker safety in North America. It has been hypothesised that restraint systems designed to provide mobility while offering the ability to lock during an impact or sudden manoeuvre, could greatly enhance worker safety in the back of ambulances. Through a series of 33 sled and crash tests impacting the front, side, and rear of simulated and actual ambulance patient compartments, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health examined the biomechanical and kinematic effects of two-, four- and five-point restraints on 95th percentile male Hybrid III anthropomorphic test devices. Results indicate that the inclusion of restraint systems offering mobility have the potential to improve worker safety under many working conditions in this unique work environment.

Occupational-hazards; Medical-personnel; Work-environment; Worker-health; Workers; Safety-measures; Safety-equipment; Motor-vehicles; Paramedical-services; Emergency-responders; Health-care-personnel; Injury-prevention; Safety-belts; Safety-equipment; Safety-practices; Head-injuries; Neck-injuries; Author Keywords: crash testing; restraints; neck injury; head injury criteria (HIC); side-facing seating

J.D. Green, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

20101001

Journal Article

JGreen@cdc.gov

2011

5

1358-8265

DSR

Services: Public Safety

International Journal of Crashworthiness

WV; PA