Abstract
Since 1968 the Swedish Postal Department has used a vehicle to deliver mail to urban housing areas. The first vehicle was the Tjorven which was made in Sweden specifically for this task. In 1975/76 this vehicle was replaced by the Opel Kadett Caravan car from Germany. The standard car was mofified by the Opel Company to the requirements of the Postal Department. In 1978 the work physiology units of the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health began studying the workload of Swedish postmen. The study concentrates on the ergonomic features of the vehicle used for the delivery of mail. A description of the present working conditions for the drivers is detailed showing the ergonomic features lacking in the present car. A special study of stepping heights, the dimensions and function of the door and the placement of the steering wheel and letter tray in the car was then conducted. An experimental rig was constructed in the Baord's laboratories. On the basis of these studies, and earlier research on the ergonomic features of machines, recommendations have been made for the design of the postal car from the ergonomic viewpoint. These recommended ergonomic values should, to a large extent, be also applicable to other distribution vehicles used for similar functions. (Author/TRRL)
Published Version
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