Abstract
This study reviews the literature with regard to falls and slips occurring when operators are mounting or dismounting high profile vehicles (HPV's) and discusses the major applicable design standards and guidelines for mounting steps and handhold/handrails. A checklist for the evaluation of mounting steps and handholds/handrails on HPV's is designed (3 major categories: step dimensions, handhold/handrail dimensions, and step surface factors). A sample of 31 HPV's consisting of 12 semi-trucks, 9 agricultural vehicles, and 10 industrial vehicles were selected, and their mounting steps, handhold/handrail, and step surface dimensions were measured. The checklist results show that, primarily due to the lack of a 3 point system, none of the semi-trucks conformed well to the standards and guidelines and must be considered as inadequate from a compliance and safety point of view! Similar conclusions were drawn for the other HPV's.
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