The construction industry is plagued by high rates of illness, injuries, and fatalities compared to other sectors. Such issues continue to pose a threat to the general health and well-being of construction workers, especially operators of heavy equipment such as bulldozers. Bulldozer operators are exposed to a host of potential occupational risk factors such whole-body vibrations. For instance, injuries to the body might be caused by poor sitting postures, repetitive motions, and work intensity. For these reasons, bulldozer seats must be designed to reduce physical stress and vibration while improving efficiency, comfort, and health of operators.  This article gives a guide for buying and installing bulldozer seats.

Vibration Exposure -- When a bulldozer accelerates on rough terrain, an operator is likely to experience jolting and jarring. Reducing exposure to vibrations requires the installation of quality seats that isolate operators from such jars and jolts.  Air suspension seats help to absorb such impacts thereby reducing the physical stress on operators in the form of neck and back pains. Consult your seat manufacturer for premium seats with the enhanced vibration attenuating attributes. Also, ensure that the seat, coupled with its suspension, is regularly maintained. Have all damaged components such as seat padding replaced immediately. Moreover, when exiting, operators should avoid jumping off the bulldozer to prevent body shocks due to prolonged exposure to vibrations.

Vertical and Multi-Directional Adjustment -- Bulldozer operators find themselves bending and twisting during shifts that can last up to six hours. Additionally, the workers have to maintain a constant position, which can lead to exertion and injuries. Bulldozer seats must be adjustable to avoid awkward postures by operators. For example, height adjustment can aid operators to gain or lose vertical height accordingly in a bid to improve positioning. Seat adjustments enhance the visibility of tasks while accommodating operators of different stature and size. Further, the seats should also improve multi-directional visibility through the rotation. 

Lumbar Support -- In heavy machinery operation, drivers will often strain their backs in the course of shifts. As such, newer seat designs are made to offer lateral (side) support while not compromising on the postural movement of the operator. Adjustable lumbar support ensures that the lower back is not strained during operation. The backrest guarantees that the driver is comfortable and ergonomically healthy.

Upholstery -- For maximum comfort and safety, seat upholstery should be breathable. The seats should also be designed in a manner that does to cause the operator to slip while the equipment is in operation. The padding must also be robust to withstand the mass of drivers.  

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