Dear all I have had a request from an employee to carry out an assessment of him using the drivers seat in his work van. He is a man who is on the rather large side (looks like a body builder). The guy is complaining about his seating position (he is onviously trying to get a differnt van), he is complianing that his legs and back hurt because he is scrunched up. I have to admit he does look "snug" in the drivers seat but as I said to his Supervisor, as far as I am aware there is no requirement to carry out such an assessment and I recommend an Occupational Health Refferal to ensure he is fit for this type of work. Can any body direct me as to what is right and wrong and also; what direction I can go with this? Reference to any documents or legislation would be most approeciated. I have not yet given the pulnultimate decision with this and am open minded to all constructive comments. Thanks in advance.

Brilliant reply! Thanks Sunstone......

I recommend you do conduct a proper assessment looking very closely at ergonomic factors. Though not directly related to van driving, a case was lost a couple of years back involving a number of claimants who allegedly were suffering upper limb related conditions due to seating position in a vehicle. The case was won by the claimants -the fact that the employer had'nt carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment went some way to upholding this decision.