Undertaken by either a medical professional or qualified ergonomist with particular knowledge of musculoskeletal issues.
What is a Driver Comfort Assessment?
This is an assessment designed to identify and help reduce reported issues that are thought to be associated with driving a particular car.
With this assessment we aim to review and improve the driver set-up to help alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort.
Who is a Driver Comfort Assessment for?
This level of assessment aims to deal with more complicated cases requiring more in-depth knowledge and experience to address the reported musculoskeletal issues reported whilst driving the vehicle. It will look at the physical fit between the driver and the car to try to identify any mismatch issues.
What happens in a Driver Comfort Assessment?
The assessment will be carried out by a health professional with in-depth knowledge of musculoskeletal issues and ergonomics training, or an ergonomist with specialist knowledge in postural issues. Drivers will be observed sitting in the vehicle and their issues discussed to try to identify possible influencing factors - including the driving pattern.
The assessor will work with the driver to try to improve the driving position using available adjustments. Once set up in the most appropriate position, an assessment of the suitability of this position, taking into account the driver’s and seat’s dimensions, reported issues and other available adjustments – steering column etc. will be undertaken.
Following the assessment, a report will be written which will try to address the reason for the assessment, highlight any relevant areas of concern, and provide recommendations with relevant justifications. If an alternative vehicle is considered to be a suitable recommendation, the report will include recommendations of what features an alternative vehicle may need to provide to overcome the issues observed during the assessment - such as automatic transmission, or depth adjustment to the steering column.
As this assessment and report is likely to contain personal and medical information, the user will need to provide consent and they will be given the option to see the report before it is sent to the employer. Alternatively they will receive a copy at the same time, so the appropriate consent of the end user will be required prior to the assessment being undertaken.
NB: This is a stationary assessment: not a driving assessment. The assessment aims to focus on the driver’s driving position. Note may be made of other factors relating to the driver’s job and vehicle use, observed or reported, which may influence the comfort or condition of the driver; however, an in-depth report of these issues will not be undertaken as part of the Driver Comfort Assessment.
Specific vehicle recommendations are not possible, although recommended car features may be identified.