Risk analysis for operating active wheelchairs in non-urban settings

Abstract

Introduction: A wheelchair is a special vehicle designed specifically for people with walking limitations. One of the types is an active wheelchair. This is a manually propelled wheelchair, the design and structure of which maximise the mobility of its given user at the expense of accepted instability.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and present a hierarchy of potential incidents causing a health hazard and reducing the mobility of individuals with ambulatory disability who use active wheelchairs in non-urban settings.

Material and methods: Information about incidents connected with wheelchair use was collected from interviews with disabled individuals, based on a questionnaire. Recorded data were analysed using the Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA).

Results: The results comprise a list of hazards for wheelchair user with ascribed priority numbers metrising their significance.

Conclusions: An ordered list of hazards connected with wheelchair operation situations is useful when designing active wheelchairs and when learning the technique of wheelchair riding.

Keywords: Independent Living; Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA); Spinal Cord Injury (SCI); Wheelchair; risk analisis; safety measures.