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IMPROVE COMFORT AND REDUCE DRIVER FATIGUE WITH GOOD SEATING DESIGN
IMPROVE
AND REDUCE DRIVER FATIGUE WITH GOOD SEATING DESIGN
One important issue in driving seat design to reduce fatigue risk is the provision of correctly designed seating and the training of drivers to adjust and use the seating correctly.
The two areas in which good seat design can assist are: • Correct body support and ergonomic design to reduce muscle fatigue and reduced transmission of vibration • Good design will provide comfort and reduced fatigue.
ERGONOMIC DESIGN The accepted minimum design standard which is used by all major commercial seating manufacturers for the automotive industries is to achieve an optimal position and support for the range of driver sizes from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. In practice, all good quality seat designs will exceed this standard by providing adjustments beyond the specified range.
As a minimum, adjustments must be provided for height, horizontal position and backrest recline angle.
In addition, cushion slope and length adjustment and a well designed adjustable lumbar support will help to provide the best possible support for the seated driver. Incorporation of lap-sash seat belts completely within the seat is also an important factor in assisting driver comfort and safety in modern trucks and all major European manufacturers, and all Australian manufacturers, now fit this type of seat as original equipment in heavy trucks.
In the areas of cushion shape and hardness there are unavoidable compromises. For example, foam hardness which provides optimum support for an 80kg driver may feel too hard for a 50kg driver and too soft for a 130kg driver but obviously a standard must be selected.
Foam shape design also requires compromise. Computerised pressure mapping systems are used by companies such as ISRI to develop the optimum foam pad shape. These systems work by determining the shape which produces the most equal pressure distribution and minimises the peaks of pressure on the seated body for a wide range of body shapes and sizes. However, personal preferences for pad shape and hardness will still determine whether a driver feels comfortable.
Fatigue of truck drivers is the result of a number of factors and all the aspects should be addressed to minimise potentially harmful and dangerous fatigue levels.
IMPROVE COMFORT
LUMBAR SUPPORT DESIGN Provision of adjustable lumbar support is fundamental to good seat design. However, market demand for cheap basic seats means that lumbar support is still optional on many basic seat types and the levels of lumbar support available are also dependent on the price and suitability to application.
For example, ISRI offers three levels of lumbar support systems: the adjustable mechanical support; the ISRI Pneumatic Lumbar Support and the ISRI ‘IPS’ system which adds adjustable side bolsters to provide the best available back support for a wider range of drivers.
SEAT SUSPENSION DESIGN Suspension seats are usually required for heavy vehicles to reduce the effect of vibration reaching the driver. This is important to minimise the health risks of damaging vibrations and also for driver comfort and reduced fatigue.
The limitations of suspension seats
are greatly misunderstood. It is important to understand that the seat cannot be a ‘cure-all’ for deficiencies in vehicle design, poor road surface, or excessive speed for the road conditions. The seat suspension can only reduce a percentage of the input vibration, it can not eliminate it totally, and the higher the level of input vibration, the higher will be the level of vibration and shock transmitted to the driver.
An air suspension seat will generally provide better performance and improved comfort compared to a seat using steel springs, especially if the suspension is an automatic self-levelling type.
The self-levelling air suspension, which was first developed by ISRI, has the additional benefit of providing an automatic weight adjustment to ensure the correct spring rate and mid-ride height for all drivers within the design weight range. This type of suspension will provide superior vibration attenuation compared to a mechanical spring or manually adjusted air suspension seat.
DRIVER EDUCATION When a well designed seat has been provided for the driver it is then important to ensure that the driver is trained in the operation of the seat and the correct method of using the adjustments provided to achieve the best seating position.
Because seating comfort is a very subjective judgement and the seat design must be a compromise to suit a wide range of driver sizes and shapes, it is inevitable that some drivers will express a personal preference for one seat type over another.
SEAT MAINTENANCE The final item that must be addressed to provide the best possible comfort and safety for a driver is to ensure proper maintenance of the seat to ensure that it continues to function as designed for the life of the vehicle.
The basic safety checks on the seat mounting, operation of the seat and seat belt, and inspection for structural damage should be carried out as frequently as other safety related checks on items such as brakes and lighting. Apart from the obvious visible items such as cushion pads and trim, the seat adjustment mechanisms and suspension will wear, and the rate of wear can vary considerably depending on the type of operation.
A poorly maintained seat may be harmful or dangerous to the driver and will eventually become uneconomic to repair. On the other hand, a good quality seat given regular preventative maintenance will provide good service for the life of the truck.
Another important issue in these times of high insurance premiums and workplace safety awareness is an operator’s legal duty of care to employees for OH&S and for accident safety. This duty of care is a legal obligation to ensure that drivers’ seats should be regularly inspected and maintained. Service should be performed by qualified tradespersons, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer, using approved replacement parts to ensure continued compliance with Australian Design Rules.
Good quality seats from the leading manufacturers such as ISRI are fully supported in Australia for parts and service. Cheaper brands may provide adequate comfort and performance when new but may also prove to have a very much shorter life if parts are not available to maintain the seat correctly.
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING CAPITAL
If you are a new business starting to take off, or a well-established business looking to expand, you will need to understand the importance of working capital.
Working capital is a simple, albeit useful measure that businesses use to indicate their ability to complete day-to-day operations and to assess their financial health. The amount of positive working capital a business needs to run efficiently can vary, depending on a wide range of factors such as business type, operating cycles, and any future growth plans.
SO WHY IS WORKING CAPITAL ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Having positive working capital means your business is able to meet its shortterm financial obligations. It enables you to buy new materials and equipment and improve the running of your business.
Working capital is essential for: • Preserving Positive Cash Flow • Maintaining a good cash flow will allow you to fulfil obligations such as payroll, tax, rent, utility bills and other operating expenses. • Purchasing Inventory • You will need working capital to maintain stock levels and to secure new products to sell. It can also come in handy when larger upfront payments are required for things such as bulk orders. • Improving Equipment & Machinery • Working capital can be used when looking to improve your current equipment and machinery, for example purchasing better software solutions to improve efficiency or upgrading equipment to increase productivity. • Investing & Growth
Sudden investment or growth opportunities may come your way, to take advantage of these, immediate working capital is essential.
Your business can take a variety of steps in order to effectively manage your working capital. From simple tasks such as identifying your day-to-day cash requirements, to shortening the credit terms you offer and constantly evaluating your inventory needs. You may also look to obtain finance to boost your working capital during times of increased financial liability or periods of decreased sales.
If your business owns equipment or machinery, you may consider a sale and leaseback financial arrangement to gain access to additional cash. This involves your business selling their equipment to a financier, who will then immediately lease the equipment back to you, generally over a 3 to 5-year term.
This provides you with a timely cash injection for working capital, whilst still maintaining access to the asset needed to continue trading. Ultimately allowing you to redeploy capital that was invested in assets, back into the core business.
Generally, assets that can be used include business vehicles, commercial vehicles, commercial equipment, heavy machinery, farming machinery and more.
Raising capital through your business assets could help solve cash flow issues both short and long term whilst providing taxation benefits.
Morris Finance are able to raise funds from a number of commercial goods. Unlike major institutions, we do not discriminate between goods, industries or profiles and our terms are flexible, providing tailored solutions to meet your needs and goals.
We offer a range of commercial products to provide cash flow for your business. Our team of dedicated finance brokers and new business specialists can provide you with information and access to financial solutions that will allow you to grow your business.
Contact Morris Finance to learn more about how they can help you raise capital.
