EVALUATION OF THE UPGRADED HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS' SAFETY BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

A proposed innovative restraint harness developed by U.S. Steel for the protection of heavy equipment operators was dynamically tested to evaluate design changes made as a result of prior testing. Five frontal impacts were conducted on the UMTRI sled facility. An instrumented 50th percentile male Part 572 dummy simulated the equipment operator. Fixed forklift and suspension-type seating surfaces were used. The upgraded harness performance was compared to previous results obtained with a conventional lap belt. This report presents the data from the sled testing and makes further recommendations for improving the restraint system.