Designing a New Forklift Backrest: Role of Adjustability in Improving Operator Comfort

Selection of a single design to delight customers may not be always possible due to the anthropometric differences in humans, wherein a hybrid design can benefit. Using adjustability, we demonstrate our approach for developing a novel forklift backrest to accommodate drivers with a wide range of body sizes. Field and laboratory evaluations were conducted to assess and improve the design. Our results indicated that the new design could provide improved comfort for longer durations. This study reveals the possibilities for human factors professionals to consider adjustability in vehicle operator compartment interiors, especially backrests and seating, of similar industrial vehicles.