Risk analysis for operating active wheelchairs in non-urban settings

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. Materials 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.