Abstract

Paratransit services employees often have to use stairs to transport wheelchair occupants. According to a company in this sector, every week, at least one of them has an accident while carrying out this handling activity; some injure themselves so seriously that they are forced to stop performing this job. Researchers, who previously developed a carry harness adapted to the work of ambulance technicians, are now tackling this problem. After identifying the difficulties of wheelchair handling, they will design, produce and validate an aid prototype that can be adapted to standard wheelchair models and will make them easier to handle for workers in the paratransit sector. This tool will help reduce risks and, in all likelihood, the number of accidents associated with this activity.