Posted By Ian Bruce
This is a bit of a strange one that I am currently researching and wondered if the collective IOSH experience may be able to help with.

Within my business, we use "People Carrier" vehicles, the sort of cars which have variable seat arrangements and carry about 7 or so people at a maximum loading.

One of our teams that use this type of vehicle place one of the "variable" seats to the side of the central passenger area and remove the others central seats; this allows the user of the seat to wear the three point inertia reel seatbelt. Placing the seat in the middle only provides a lap belt.

So far, so good, however, due to space constraints in realtion to using this cenral seating position, the user of the "variable" seat, will habitually sit sideways on in order to feel comfortable.

My question is this: If the vehicle is involved in a collision, will sitting sideways in a seat contribute to potential injury? I believe I read something, somewhere, that to prevent spinal damage in collision situations you have to sit "properley" in vehicle seats with your back in the upright position and supported by the seat back.

I'm worried that if we allow this practice to continue, we as an employer could be deemed negligent, as spinal injury could be seen as a foreseeable risk in this situation.

Thanks in anticipation.