An Aetiological Analysis of Seat Related Occupational Accidents and Diseases of Professional Drivers

Low back pain is more frequently present in patients involved in occupations that are related to driving automobiles, motorcycles, buses, tractors, trucks and heavy construction and agriculture machinery. Furthermore, low back pain is the leading major cause of disability in those younger than 45 years.

The EU co-funded project SAFEGUARD aims at developing a new seat that will improve comfort, while decreasing the risk for health damage. In addition, it aims at developing in a broader sense a methodology, to evaluate seating comfort.

This paper presents the results of the user needs analysis study and the plans towards the later phases within the overall SAFEGUARD concept and framework.