Posted By Jonathan Breeze Are any forum members aware of any publications on the ergonomic issues related to driving? Specifically, are there any diagrams available out there similar to "DSE Man" which show the best seating position for driving a car? Thanks

Posted By Frank Hallett Can't help with the specific request Jonathon, but you could do a lot worse than research cars that have really good specs but fail the driver big-time.. The car itself in't usuallythe problem - it's the fact that the seats tend to be rock-bottom cheap except for the upper cost bracket and sometimes even then; and don't they let you know it! As an object lesson in how to ignore ergonomics, car seating could well become a classic. It took me a lot of effort and reaerch before I found a car manufacturer that provided seating that didn't cripple me after short periods of time. Most car sales reps appeared to think that I was being well over-picky; but all I wanted was a car that I could get out of without pain or discomfort from the drive. As you identify, these principles of providing ergonomic solutions are already explicitly identified in the DSE Regs and elsewhere [eg PUWER]. May I suggest that the book "Introduction to Ergonomics 2nd Ed" by R S Bridger, ISBN 0415273781 is an excellent resource. Though for an "Introduction" to run to 500 pages gives an idea of how complex the subject is. Frank Hallett

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Jonathan The Ergonomics Department at Loughborough University have a superb website on driving ergonomics, which you can access with appropriate combinations of relevant words in google. Also, the BBC News website has some useful quotations about psychology of driving which could be classified as ergonomics; google 'Conrad King', the RAC psychologist Although they don't use ergonomic jargon, I find that tutors with the Institute of Advanced Motorists apply ergonomic concepts very competently; so, it may be worth getting your hands on back issues of their journals.

Posted By Brett Day Beware Fleet cars, many manufacturers give substantial discounts for using just that particular make and even in some cases model. Allows little room for variation. Also different cars are aimed at different drivers so the ergonomics are very different, small 'town / commuter' cars are set up using a female H-Point dummy as manufacturers percieve the target owners to be predominantly female. 'Family' and 'executive' cars tend to be set up using a male H-Point dummy, sexist possibly but there you go, also there are European and US dummies so a car that has been designed in the US will have been set up with a larger dummy. There is no substitute in getting a car and once set up correctly taking it for a drive for at least an hour, try some perking, reversing and see what it's like. This might be of use: http://www.car-seat-data.co.uk/ Some general info on data behind car ergonomics Also: http://www.car-seat-data.co.uk/xlcardata.htm A chart listing current car measurements with comments on the good and the bad, updated in 1993

Posted By Kieran J Duignan In support of John Knight's story, I have been asked by solicitors and insurers to provide an ergonomic assessment of the risks to which lorry and taxi drivers are exposed; such assessments include ways in which both the employer and the employee can manage the risks 'in so far as reasonably practicable'. Where there is medical evidence of back injury or repetitive strain injuries to upper limbs, the question then arises whether the employer should be permitted to continue to be exposed daily to risks of further injury. The risk assessment therefore may in some circumstances extend to 'reasonable adjustments' or job redesign or reallocation under the Disability Discrimination Act, including recommendations of application for funding of adaptations through the Access to Work scheme administered (generally quite well) through Jobcentre Plus offices