Angles of Inclined Sleepers Get Attention from ASTM Panel

An ASTM F15.18 task group September 16 began looking at how to address the question of safe angles for inclined sleepers. The broad aspiration would be to recommend limits on incline angles that could be linked to risk. However, the panel is working with limited data, and there was question of whether there is enough for the goal.

Even with available information, there was some possibly contradictory information. For example, a recalled product with incidents had a lower incline than some non-recalled, non-incident products. Adding to the complexity is the need look at factors like rates of incidents per units sold.

Also suggested as perhaps needing attention is the possibility that there are other risk contributors besides angles. Potential ones included harness differences, fabric slipperiness, and area for infant movement/rollover.

The group has been focused mostly on rollover and positional asphyxia. However, there seemed to be consensus that discussion should account for any other causes of sleep related deaths.

On the topic of sleep, a participant raised the question of whether there would be movement against use for sleeping. However, that question was deemed more appropriate for the separate scope panel. In any event, there was not pushback against another member's assertion that sleep should be considered regardless of intended use because infants will fall asleep in such products and allowed to stay there.