Though Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards establish standard safety levels for off-highway vehicles, they do not dictate how to meet these goals. Thus, you have plenty of room to be creative when designing applications for off-highway applications, such as escape hatches.
Off-road environments can encounter dangerous scenarios where existing escape hatches may become inaccessible or inoperable. When designing for operator safety, you can reduce installation costs by using quick-release latches, which allow the primary cab door to double as a point of emergency egress. Southco’s D4 DZUS Quick-Release Quarter-Turn fasteners, for instance, keep the cab door securely latched during normal operation and provide a means to escape in emergency situations.
D4s are constructed of high-strength steel protected by a corrosion-resistant finish. The secure compression latch features an over-center latching design that resists accidental opening caused by vibration during vehicle use. With a high cycle life, D4s will operate a long time and are easy to use. Most importantly, quick release latches help you meet industry-mandated safety standards.

Southco D4 DZUS® Quarter-Turn Fasteners hold cab doors closed during operation and enable fast access when the operator must immediately exit the vehicle.
Using the existing cab door as an emergency exit yields advantages for off-highway equipment, including:
- Reduced design complexity and component parts which reduce manufacturing time, hardware and labor costs associated with installation
- Improved structural integrity by eliminating the need to cut out a separate door panel for an escape hatch
- Simpler operation and easily identifiable hardware provides a safer and more ergonomic interior cab space
The combined durability and function that quick-release latching offers lets manufacturers explore alternative options for meeting existing safety standards for emergency egress while reducing design complexity and cost.
Southco
www.Southco.com
Filed Under: Design World articles, Off highway • construction, Fastening + joining • locks • latches • pins
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