EFFECTS OF SEATWINGS AND SEATBELTS ON THE RESPONSE OF FORKLIFT TRUCK OPERATOR DURING LATERAL DYNAMIC TIPOVERS

The main objective of the study is to experimentally compare the dynamic response of the seated operator of a forklift truck during lateral tipovers while seated in a traditional seat to the response while seated in a seat which has been modified by the addition of a seat belt and side seat wings. A state-of-the-art Side Impact Dummy was used as a surrogate to the human operator. Typical lateral self-restraint force of 125 lbs. that would be produced by the average male operator was laterally applied to the dummy. The tipover experiments were conducted at tipover velocities of 2.0 and 2.8 rad/sec. The probability of brain injury was based on the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) which is computed from measured head accelerations. Test results indicate that, regardless of the tipover velocity, the seat with seatbelt and seatwings allowed the head to strike the ground at severities that would result in a high probability of life-threatening brain injury, but that this probability was significantly reduced by increasing the lateral self-restraint force. On the other hand, the results indicate that under identical test conditions of the traditional seat, the probability of life-threatening brain injury was negligible.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150
• Authors:
  • Alem, N M
• Publication Date: 1985-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brain; Crash tests; Dummies; Fork lifts; Head; Injuries; Manual safety belts; Rollover crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Brain injuries; Head injuries
• Old TRIS Terms: Seatwings
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00451875
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-85-16 Final Rpt., HS-039 154
• Contract Numbers: DRDA 85-2373-P1
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 1985 12:00AM