Development of criteria of assessing safety, ergonomics and rehabilitation functions of selected technical aids used in occupational rehabilitation of people with disabilities and their workstations, and procedures for testing them

Project manager: Dariusz Kalwasiński M.Sc. (Eng.)

Project summary:

"The main aim of this task was to create conditions for testing and certification of selected technical aids used by people with disabilities and to construct test stands, manuals on their operation and procedures and criteria of assessing selected aids.Eight test stands were developed as part of the task. They make comprehensive tests of the following devices possible: - manual and power wheelchairs regarding their stability, efficiency of braking, maximum speed, accelerating and decelerating, ability to overcome obstacles, their turning circle, resistance to static and dynamic load, resistance to climatic conditions,- forearm and under-arm crutches; and standard, tripod and quad walking canes regarding their stability, resistance to static and dynamic load and resistance to cold climatic conditions.Manuals on the operation of the constructed test stands were developed. They contain descriptions of the structure and equipment of the stands, how the individual test stands can be used, ways to set them up and to prepare them for tests safely, and procedures for preparing them for tests.Eighteen drafts of test procedures were also developed regarding resistance, functionality and safe use of wheelchairs and one-hand walking aids. Moreover, criteria of assessing them were developed. They focus on their functionality, resistance, safe use and resistance to climatic conditions."

Unit: Department of Safety Engineering

Duration: 01.01.2005 – 31.12.2007