Human Observation & Survey

Analysis of past choking injuries and fatalities resulted in the development of Critical Parts Gauges and the Virtual Child Computerized Evaluation Model.

Critical parts are objects that have the potential to cause choking injuries due to their size, shape and consistency. The Critical Parts Gauge Criteria have been verified by extensive medical research. The gauges are highly effective in minimizing choking hazards in a wide range of consumer products.

The Virtual Child® Computerized Evaluation Models are used to assess and communicate choking hazards posed to children by consumer products.

Analysis of past choking injuries and fatalities resulted in the development of Critical Parts Gauges and the Virtual Child Computerized Evaluation Model. Critical parts are objects that have the potential to cause choking injuries due to their size, shape and consistency. The Critical Parts Gauge Criteria has been verified by extensive medical research. The gauges are highly effective in minimizing choking hazards in a wide range of consumer products.

The Virtual Child® Computerized Evaluation Models are used to assess and communicate choking hazards posed to children by consumer products.

These three-dimensional models are digital simulations of children’s airways that were developed in consultation with leading pediatric ear, nose and throat specialists. Computerized Tomography scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging data, and actual castings of the oral cavity were used to build these computer simulations.

The models are accurate anatomical representations of one-, two- and four-year-old children and are scalable to different size percentiles of children in these vulnerable age groups.

Physical and virtual models help assess the interaction of product characteristics and people.

• Virtual Child® Computerized Evaluation Model  
• Suffocation Hazard Assessment Model  
• Strangulation Hazard Assessment Model  
• Impact Hazard Assessment Model  
• Burn-Injury Hazard Assessment Model  
• Pediatric Biomechanics  
• Bite and Tear Assessment Models  

Request more information to see how Intertek can help your organization with Human Observation & Survey.