Investigation of Clamping and Crushing Injuries with Electrically Height-Adjustable Therapy Beds

Abstract

In the past, clamping and crushing injuries occurred exclusively in therapy beds with scissor or joint lifting systems. This suggests an increased application risk for this type. The aim of the presented study is the systematic-analytical investigation of the clamping and crushing risk for choice types of electrically height-adjustable therapy beds. To analyse the application situation, 41 work process analyses and 100 structured interviews with employees were carried out in ten physiotherapy practices. Following, clamping and crushing risks were examined for four therapy bed-types with qualitative fault tree analyses (DIN EN 61025). Therapy beds with scissor or joint lifting systems show an increased risk of clamp and crush injuries. Therapy beds with lifting column systems have the lowest risk but are rarely used in practice due to their limited usability and high procurement costs. Prospective, technical safety measures are particularly necessary for therapy beds with scissors or joint lifting systems. New goods should be equipped with capacitive contact sensors in the lifting mechanism. For existing therapy beds, it is recommended to develop a locking box with improved usability (e.g. RFID technology), a three-step switch as well as the reversal of the direction of movement in case of all-round switches.