DRIVER SAFETY
Have you adjusted your seat correctly?
Take the time to familiarise yourself with ALL the adjustments (e.g. seat, steering wheel, seat belt). It is easiest to start with a seat that is completely in the wrong position and bring it into the correct position. Start by pushing your seat all the way back, place it as low to the floor as able, and recline the back 30-40 degrees.
1. Bring the seat height up until you can comfortably see the road and instruments and your hips are as high as your knees. If you are too low try adding a cushion or wedge to the seat. · Check you have adequate clearance from the roof
2. Move the seat forward so you can reach and completely depress all the foot pedals without coming away from the seat back. Adjust seat height as necessary to give good pedal control.
3. Bring the back forward until you are reclined at a 100-110 degree angle and supporting your back up to your shoulders. This decreases the pressure on the discs in your low back. Adjust your headrest so it rests in the middle of your head. Adjust the lumbar support so you have even back support. This should be supportive and comfortable. A lumbar cushion can be added if your car lacks sufficient lumbar support.
4. Tilt seat cushion until it evenly supports your entire thigh without pressure in particular areas and does not hit the back of your knees.
5. Bring the steering wheel down and toward you to minimize reach. Check for clearance for thighs / knees when using pedals. Ensure panel display is in full view and not obstructed. Elbows and shoulders should be relaxed with hands below the shoulder level. .
6. Now adjust the mirrors. If you start to slouch down or get in a bad position the mirrors will feel as they need to be adjusted and cue you to sit back up.
7. Hold wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock to relax the shoulder muscles. Other than while turning, avoid reaching across your body to hold the steering wheel. Try to keep your wrist straight while holding the steering wheel.
Repeat stages 1-7 and fine tune as necessary. Be aware of limited headroom forcing a reclined posture, making reach to the steering wheel a problem. This leads to excessive forward bending of the head and neck and a ‘slouched’ posture.
Points to Remember
Do not use the car as an office. Using the laptop in the other seat creates twisting of the spine. Bending over to fill out paperwork causes your neck to flex forward unsafely.
Don't store items on the back seat or seat back pockets where reaching for them will cause awkward twisting.
Give your body a few minutes out of the car before lifting things from the trunk.
Always remove your wallet from your back pocket before sitting. This causes the pelvis to twist stressing the back.
When getting in to the car sit first and then swing your legs into the car. To get out slide the legs out first and then stand up to decrease low back strain.
Take frequent breaks to get out and stretch at least every 2 hours. This is important for your back but also your hands.
DRIVER SAFETY
Getting into a car – driver’s seat
1. Open the door as wide as possible.
2. Start by sliding or pushing your seat back as far as it will go if a pool vehicle.
3. Facing away from your vehicle, position yourself with the back of your legs against the side of the car seat.
4. Keeping your back straight (neutral spine), lower yourself into the sitting position.
5. Slide backwards to middle of seat if necessary
6. Now turning your body as a whole (be careful not to twist your spine) lift your legs into the car.
7. Adjust seat position as previously described.
Getting out of car – driver’s seat
1. Open your car door as wide as it will go.
2. Scoot your buttocks over in your seat towards the passenger’s side or middle console. This will create more room in your seat nearest to the door.
3. Turn your body as a whole (careful not to twist the spine) so that you facing out towards the car with your legs on the car seat.
4. Push forward with your hands until you are positioned at the edge of the car seat with feet on the ground.
5. Stand up holding onto car frame of seat if needed.
Getting in and out of a high vehicle like a van
The Importance Of Three Points Of Contact
Many injuries can be avoided by drivers and passengers getting into and out of vehicles
Did you know if you jump from the cabin, you can exert 12 times your body weight on your ankles, knees, hips and lower back? For an average driver, that is equal to a tonne of shock. Other injuries relate to drivers twisting and stretching when they get into the cab.
Injuries can be prevented if you maintain 3 points of contact when entering or exiting the cab. This means having two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on equipment at all times.
This should only be broken when you reach the ground, the cab or a stable surface. You should also mount and dismount facing your high vehicles and only when it is stationary.
Never jump to the ground from your vehicle.