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Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: anthropometric aspects.

Hsiao H; Whitestone J; Wilbur M; Lackore JR; Routley JG

Appl Ergon 2015 Nov; 51:137-151

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.004

20046255

This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development. A stratified sample of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. participated in the study. The study results suggested 498 mm in width, 404 mm in depth, and 365-476 mm in height for seat pans; 429-522 mm in width and 542 mm in height for seat back; 871 mm in height for head support; a seat space of 733 mm at shoulder and 678 mm at hip; and a knee/leg clearance of 909 mm in fire truck cab. Also, 1520 mm of lap belt web effective length and 2828 mm of lap-and-shoulder belt web effective length were suggested. These data for fire-truck seats and seatbelts provide a foundation for fire apparatus manufacturers and standards committees to improve firefighter seat designs and seatbelt usage compliance.

Anthropometry; Fire-fighters; Emergency-responders; Rescue-workers; Fire-fighting-equipment; Fire-protection-equipment; Personal-protective-equipment; Personal-protection; Equipment-design; Equipment-reliability; Engineering-controls; Control-technology; Injury-prevention; Safety-belts; Humans; Men; Women; Author Keywords: Firefighter; Seatbelt; Anthropometry

Hongwei Hsiao, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

AERGBW

20151101

Journal Article

hxh4@cdc.gov

2016

0003-6870

DSR

Public Safety

Applied Ergonomics

WV; OH; NY; MA; VA