Hip Protectors

CSA Group
Standards Development Organisation:
Canadian Standards Association (operating as CSA Group)
Working Program:
View the CSA work program
Designation Number:
Z325
Standard Type:
National Standard of Canada - Domestic
Standard Development Activity:
New Standard
Status:
Proceeding to development
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Posted On:

Scope:

This standard specifies testing and labelling requirements for manufacturers of hip protectors used to reduce the risk of hip fracture in the event of a fall. Some of the requirements include product placement guidelines, cleaning and disinfecting instructions, and whether the hip protector is designed for single use or is reusable for multiple individuals.  Guidance on requirements for selecting and purchasing a hip protector are also specified, including considerations for comfort, style, sizing, fit and proper positioning.  The standard also provides a biomechanical test methods for  measuring the effectiveness of a hip protector. The method does not identify specific pass/fail criteria for hip protectors; instead, it describes methods for measuring the protective value of the hip protector.

Project need:

Hip fractures are a serious, common, and costly consequence of falls in older adults and individuals with certain risk factors for frequent falls. These individuals may have orthopedic conditions such as osteoporosis, muscle weakness, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular or sensory problems. Over one-third of adults over age 65 living in the community and about 60% of individuals in long-term care will fall at least once per year. Working with a diverse group of stakeholders, CSA Group’s Standard on Hip Protectors addresses the safety and protective value of wearable hip protection for those at high risk for falls.

Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.

Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.