Details:

Alternative Title:
Hum Factors
Personal Author:
Hsiao, Hongwei ; Turner, Nina ; Whisler, Richard ; Zwiener, Joyce
Hsiao, Hongwei ; Turner, Nina ; Whisler, Richard ; Zwiener, Joyce Less -
Description:
Objective

This study investigated the effect of body size and shape and harness fit on suspension tolerance time.

Background

Fall victims may develop suspension trauma, a potentially fatal reduction of return blood flow from legs to the heart and brain, after a successfully arrested fall if they are not rescued quickly or the harness does not fit them well.

Method

For this study, 20 men and 17 women with construction experience were suspended from the dorsal D-ring of a full-body fall-arrest harness. Their suspension tolerance time, physical characteristics, and harness fit levels were assessed.

Results

Body characteristics (i.e., weight, stature, upper- and lower-torso depths) were associated with decreased suspension tolerance time (r = −.36 ~ –.45, p ≤ .03). In addition, harness fit affected suspension tolerance time; workers with a torso angle of suspension greater than 35°, a thigh strap angle greater than 50°, or a poorly fitting harness size had shorter suspension tolerance time (mean differences = 14, 11, and 9.8 min, respectively, p ≤ .05).

Conclusion

Body size and harness fit were predictors of suspension tolerance time. Selecting well-fit harnesses and establishing a 9-min rescue plan are suggested to ensure that no more than 5% of workers would experience suspension trauma.

Applications

The study provides a basis for harness designers, standards writers, and manufacturers to improve harness configurations and testing requirements for better worker protection against suspension trauma.


Subject:
[+]
3-D Scan Accidental Falls Accidents, Occupational Adult Anthropometry Article Body Shape Body Size Body Weight Construction Industry Equipment Design Fall Arrest Female Harness Fit Humans Male Occupational Health Rescue Suspension
Source:
Hum Factors. 54(3):346-357.
Pubmed ID:
22768638
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4681431
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:6e436e5a33adb3f2a6eada12fb2b852c3b8b763d29113a330c75f3cde5f2ee80
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/36882/cdc_36882_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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