Design guidelines for operator entry-exit systems on mobile equipment

The space available on mobile equipment for an operator's workplace is often restricted and can cause design conflicts. Easy entry and exit is important for safety, productivity and comfort. The paper presents guidelines for the design of entry-exit systems. The recommendations are based mainly on the results of an extensive series of laboratory experiments. These were conducted to establish generally acceptable standards rather than the optimum arrangements more frequently presented in the literature. The need to consider the whole access system is emphasised because of the interactions between the size and location of steps, handholds, doors and workplace arrangement. Some experimental assessment of access systems for new designs is recommended.