@article{ref1,
title="Impact of harness fit on suspension tolerance",
journal="Human factors",
year="2012",
author="Hsiao, Hongwei and Turner, Nina and Whisler, Richard and Zwiener, Joyce",
volume="54",
number="3",
pages="346-357",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of body size and shape and harness fit on suspension tolerance time. BACKGROUND: Fall victims may develop suspension trauma, a potentially fatal reduction of return blood flow from legs to the heart and brain, after a successfully arrested fall if they are not rescued quickly or the harness does not fit them well. METHOD: For this study, 20 men and 17 women with construction experience were suspended from the dorsal D-ring of a full-body fall-arrest harness. Their suspension tolerance time, physical characteristics, and harness fit levels were assessed. RESULTS: Body characteristics (i.e., weight, stature, upper- and lower-torso depths) were associated with decreased suspension tolerance time (r = -.36 - -.45, p < or = .03). In addition, harness fit affected suspension tolerance time; workers with a torso angle of suspension greater than 35 degrees, a thigh strap angle greater than 50 degrees, or a poorly fitting harness size had shorter suspension tolerance time (mean differences = 14, 11, and 9.8 min, respectively, p < or = .05). CONCLUSION: Body size and harness fit were predictors of suspension tolerance time. Selecting well-fit harnesses and establishing a 9-min rescue plan are suggested to ensure that no more than 5% of workers would experience suspension trauma. APPLICATIONS: The study provides a basis for harness designers, standards writers, and manufacturers to improve harness configurations and testing requirements for better worker protection against suspension trauma.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0018-7208",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}