A Biomechanical and Subjective Assessment and Comparison of Three Ambulance Cot Design Configurations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dutt M ; Farfan R ; Ko P-L ; Lavender SA ; Le P ; Mehta J ; Park S ; Radin Umar RZ ; Sommerich CM
• Description:
  Effects of ambulance cot design features (handle design and leg folding mechanism) were evaluated. Experienced ambulance workers performed tasks simulating loading and unloading a cot to and from an ambulance, and a cot raising task. Muscle activity, ratings of perceived exertion, and performance style were significantly affected by cot condition (p < 0.05). Erector Spinae activity was significantly less when using Cot-2's stretcher-style handles. Shoulder muscle activity was significantly less when using Cot-2's loop handle. During loading and unloading, operators allowed the cot to support its own weight most often with Cot-2's stretcher-style handles. Preference for Cot-2 (either handles) over Cot-1 (with loop handle) was consistent across tasks. Handle effects were influenced by operator stature; taller participants received more benefit from Cot-2's stretcher-style handles; shoulder muscles' demands were greater for shorter participants due to handle location. Providing handle options and automatic leg folding/unfolding operation can reduce cot operator's effort and physical strain. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Emergency Responders Ergonomics Health Personnel Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Musculoskeletal Injury Emergency Medical Services Workers Emergency Responders EMS Engineering Control Equipment Design First Responders Health Care Workers MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Occupational Injury Paramedic Paramedics Patient Handling

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• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  55
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058279
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 2012 Nov; 55(11):1350-1361
• Contact Point Address:
  Carolyn M. Sommerich, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1971 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
• Email:
  Sommerich.1@osu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  Ohio State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20060701
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a2a68dc65b360002fe6f961f01ec9a4685b4439016d16edf56c3821ab3227ca82560f32e6cac6a0bd4fdd9dd1e0ee78a0c300d8c53f4b3a459794358e84705c0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221406/cdc_221406_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.04 MB ]