IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Patrol car design and prevention of lower back pain

Abstract

Police officers are at high risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries. As a preliminary study conducted at the Institut in 1988 demonstrated, inadequate seating conditions in the patrol vehicle, particularly inadequate seats, are a major cause of lower back pain. The overall goal of this project, in which 32 police officers participated, was to validate a participatory approach to problem resolution adapted to police work, and to apply this approach to actual prevention programs. Specific sub-goals were: improvement of the seating area of the patrol car, analysis of the impact of the participatory approach, and improvement of prevention programs targeting police officers. The experimental portion of the study was completed in 1989 and resulted in the production of four mock-ups and two design guides for patrol vehicles. Selection criteria were defined for each piece of equipment used by patrol officers in their vehicle. This study also confirmed the feasibility of applying the participatory approach. Some of the improvements proposed during the design workshops were implemented in new patrol vehicles of a Montréal-area police force. Several other police forces evaluated different models of seats, and identified the ones which best satisfied the criteria defined by project participants.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0089-0490
Status: Completed
Team:
  • Blaine Hoshizaki (Université de Montréal)
  • Ilkka Kuorinka (IRSST)
  • Michèle Côté (IRSST)
  • Raymond Baril (IRSST)
  • Christian Larue (IRSST)
  • Denis Giguère (IRSST)
  • Richard Geoffrion (Rgeoffrion Consultant)