Driver Ergonomics and comfort

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Driver Ergonomics and comfort - Guidance???

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Stuart1864		#1 Posted : 28 June 2019 08:04:20(UTC)
Rank: New forum user		Hi all, I have a driver who has just raised a concern that he is too tall for the vehicle he is driving (and has been for the last couple of years), he states he is having to lean forward to read the dashboard, constantly having to adjust mirrors during manouvers, cannot stretch his legs properly, and bangs his head on the bulkhead. Can any of the members point me in the right direction of some guidance and assessments to help me review this and look at where possible making it safer and more comfortable for him. Many thanks in advance Stuart


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fiesta		#2 Posted : 28 June 2019 09:49:20(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Hi, Banging his head on the bulkhead ! Sounds like the person concnerned is very tall. Having to move the mirrors around doesn't sound like too much of an issue but the other issues sound pretty fundamental. I assume vehicle manufacturer's built their vehicles with a specific range of body shapes and sizes in mind. If this person falls out side that range then, short of possibly trying an aftermarket seat if such a thing exists for that vehicle, then there's not much you can do. The space within the vehice is what it is and if you were to try and alter it in some way you might be voiding your warranty and causing any number of unforeseen issues. Try a different vehicle ? Andy


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biker1		#3 Posted : 28 June 2019 13:17:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		You don't say what kind of vehicle here, although the mention of a bulkhead suggests a van? I came across this problem many years ago in a Ford Escort. I have a long back, and whilst the standard car was fine, the addition of a sun roof intruded into the head space. I had to recline my seat more than I wanted to to clear it (getting your hair trapped in a sun roof is not pleasant either, I can tell you). Can the seat be lowered (some can)? Failing that, I can only suggest a different vehicle, as internal dimensions do vary amongst models, and its a case of finding one that suits.

1 user thanked biker1 for this useful post.		Steve e ashton on 30/06/2019(UTC)
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stevedm		#4 Posted : 28 June 2019 16:12:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Driving ergonmoics best practice guide on the link below...more focused toward cars than commercial vehicles but at start...Loughborough have some useful links too...again mainly cars..I have had similar requests for assessments due to a persons size althought that was more width than height...so there is a process I will see if there is a publically available link for you..but you really need an ergonomist or OH advisor to complete the task... http://drivingergonomics.lboro.ac.uk/links.html http://drivingergonomics.lboro.ac.uk/downloads/vehicle%20ergonomics%20and%20best%20practice%20guide.pdf


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