Article Tools

• Bookmark

Advertisement

Most Popular News

• Accurately measuring pay in the public sector
• Government spending legislation aims to audit GSA each year
• Investigations could lead to tighter controls on agency spending

Know before you buy or sell. Get your truck's value instantly online.

Find Your Truck Now

*To see the actual values, you must purchase a subscription or a single-vehicle lookup.

Another potential solution is to change driving habits when on patrol and on the drive home.

• Adjust the car seat. Sit in the car with the duty belt on and move the seat forward and back until it is as comfortable as possible. Bring the seat backrest to where it is comfortable against the duty belt and still offers support to the back. If you are adding a cushion or lumbar support to the seat, place the cushion in the seat first, and then adjust.
• Change posture often. Remember to move from time to time. Wait until driving conditions are suitable to change posture in the seat. This can alleviate postural fatigue.
• Take breaks. To avoid driver fatigue and minimize postural discomfort, take a rest break whenever possible, one that offers the opportunity to stand and move around.

Check the February issue of Government Product News for a Emergency Management and Response product section.

Kathy Espinoza is a board certified professional ergonomist. She has worked with Torrance, Calif.-based Keenan & Associates for seven years providing workstation assessments, solutions and employee training. She has more than 12 years' experience coordinating and teaching a chronic back pain program and wellness program for a major hospital. She has published 33 articles in the field of ergonomics, safety and workplace issues. She has taught "Ergonomics In the Workplace" at UC, Riverside for the past 10 years.

Reference

1. For more information on duty belt ergonomics, consult Ergonomics and Safety in Law Enforcement, by Fabrice Czarnecki and Ira Janowitz, 2003. The article can be found at http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Czarnecki/ergonomics_and_safety_in_law_enforcement.htm