"uuid","repository link","title","author","contributor","publication year","abstract","subject topic","language","publication type","publisher","isbn","issn","patent","patent status","bibliographic note","access restriction","embargo date","faculty","department","research group","programme","project","coordinates" "uuid:7c14adc4-bf60-488c-b2d9-54f3eb495c64","http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7c14adc4-bf60-488c-b2d9-54f3eb495c64","Back Injuries among KLM Pilots: An analysis and redesign of the cockpit seat","Van der Vaart, N.C.M.","Santema, S.C. (mentor); De Ree, J.J.D. (mentor); Molenbroek, J.F.M. (mentor)","2009","Analysis of the absenteeism among KLM pilots showed that much more KLM pilots (5,8%) are reporting absenteeism due to back problems than the average KLM employees (4,4%). Besides, KLM Operations receives yearly a lot of complaints concerning the comfort of the cockpit seats. Since the absenteeism of pilots due to back problems cost KLM yearly a lot of money it is desirable to reduce the amount of back injuries among pilots. This project describes solutions how the high prevalence of back injuries among KLM pilots can be reduced and how the comfort experienced while sitting in the cockpit seat can be improved. First of all an assessment of the back injuries and the discomfort experienced by KLM pilots is executed by a literature study. Next an extensive analysis is executed to determine the relation between the cockpit seat design and the reported back injuries and discomfort. A product analysis is executed to analyse the possibilities for KLM to solve the problems. A market analysis is executed to find out which solutions are available on the market to solve the problems. Next several concepts are developed and tested to solve the problems. The analysis showed that the high prevalence of back injuries among KLM pilots is caused by an unsuitable seat design and the sitting behaviour of pilots, who prefer to sit slouched. The seat pan and backrest contour do not provide a good sitting posture for pilots. They both initiate a slouched sitting posture, which is in literature described as the main risk factor for developing back injuries. Extensive analysis of the regulations for cockpit seats showed that it is realisable for KLM to redesign the cockpit seat cushions to provide a good sitting posture for their pilots to reduce the risks for developing back injuries. Several concepts for seat pan and backrest cushions are developed to provide a good supported and comfortable sitting posture for all pilots. Prototypes are built for the several cushion concepts and tested among KLM pilots. The best concept for the seat and backrest cushion is elaborated to a final product that meets the regulations which makes implementation of the cushions inside the present generation aircrafts possible. Besides, the change in sitting behaviour should be realized by giving all pilots an instructional workshop and half-yearly back check. Besides, it is advised to pilots to do fitness training at the hotel of destination. An instructional booklet is developed to increase the knowledge of pilots concerning their own influence on the development of back injuries and to give advise how to prevent back injuries. Apart from the short term solution for KLM there is developed a vision for the 2nd and the 3rd generation cockpit seats to prevent back injuries and improve comfort. The first tests with the new seat pan and backrest cushion show promising results. Based on these results it is expected that implementation of the new cushions in combination with proper instruction and a half-yearly back check will result in a reduction in the amount of absenteeism due to back injuries in the long term. More extensive testing of the seat pan and backrest cushion is advised to test the durability of the cushions and the opinions of more pilots, since test in the flight simulator resulted in very few responds. Since it is hard to realise a change in behaviour it is essential to frequently repeat the things pilots have to do to prevent back injuries. Although the project is executed to prevent back injuries among KLM pilots the analysis shows that the new cushions have to be implemented in all IPECO/Boeing cockpit seats in general, since the analysis showed that the unsuitable seat design which increase the risk for developing back injuries is not caused by the specific anthropometry of KLM pilots but by the general seat pan and backrest contour that does not correct support the human body. It is therefore expected that not only KLM pilots deal with a high prevalence of back injuries but all pilots flying Boeing aircrafts.","cockpit seat; KLM; sitting; back injuries","en","master thesis","","","","","","","Campus only","","Industrial Design Engineering","Applied Ergonomics and Design","","Integrated Product Design","",""