Abstract
Falls on the same level or from heights are a significant cause of injuries and fatalities among the American workforce, particularly within the construction industry. Instability upon standing may be a contributing factor for many fall-related injuries and fatalities. This study explored self-reports of postural stability upon standing after maintaining static postures for varying durations. Thirty-three male participants completed three replications of the conditions created by four postures and three durations within posture for a total of 36 conditions. The results indicated that the working posture used to complete a task significantly affected postural stability upon standing (ANOVA, α=0.05), although individuals were not able to distinguish these changes. Postural stability ratings were affected more by the duration within posture (p=0.001). Small correlation values between the subjective ratings and the objective COP-based measures substantiated the finding that individuals were not sensitive to the changes in postural sway measures caused by the differing postures and may not be fully aware of the risk to balance encountered during transitions. Findings may lead to recommendations for redesign of tasks or tools to reduce the use of certain working postures (e.g. kneeling), particularly in high-risk environments such as construction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
