Usability of the Upper Limb Risk Assessment (UPLIRA) Method for Assessing the Risk Factors of Upper Limb Disorders

Noor Syafiqa Abd Razak,Mohd Nasrull Abdol Rahman

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201713500029

Noor Syafiqa Abd Razak, Mohd Nasrull Abdol Rahman

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201713500029

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Abstract

It is important to design ergonomic methods or assessment with a high usability and good ergonomic features, so the method is easily adaptable to the task and the workplace environment. Usability is a measurement on how well the user can use that functionality. The study converged on testing the usability of the new tools for assessing ULDs namely as Upper Limb Risk Assessment (UPLIRA). The UPLIRA method was evaluated by 6 students (3 undergraduate students and 3 postgraduates students) from University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) who are conducting research in ergonomic. From the feedback survey of UPLIRA method, the observers agree that the prototype of UPLIRA tool was applicable to workplace assessment for the wide range of jobs/task (mean 4.00, SD:0.632) with 83% percentage of agreement . They also indicate that UPLIRA method is quick to use (mean 3.67, SD:1.033) with percentage agreement of 67%. The scoring system and action level was rated as easy to understand (mean 3.67, SD:1.211) and (mean 4.17, SD:0.408). Conclusively, the UPLIRA method was rated as straightforward to use, applicable to wide range of tasks, and time saving as assessment can be completed within 10 minutes. In addition, the UPLIRA assessment covers an extensive range of physical, psychosocial, work organizational, and individual risk factors.

Highlights

Upper limb disorders (ULDs) are injury that affected the upper part of the body including neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and upper back [1]
The psychosocial factors such as workload, job dissatisfaction, limited social support, time pressure and limited job control further increase the potential for the worker to get an upper limb disorders [5]
The prototype was evaluated by 6 students (3 under graduate students and 3 postgraduates students) from University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) who are conducting research in ergonomic

Summary

Introduction

Upper limb disorders (ULDs) are injury that affected the upper part of the body including neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and upper back [1]. The previous study reported that psychological and individual factors such as gender, age, BMI, smoking, and anthropometry play a role in the development of ULDs [5]. The psychosocial factors such as workload, job dissatisfaction, limited social support, time pressure and limited job control further increase the potential for the worker to get an upper limb disorders [5]. Only a few studies have considered the multifactor association of job, individual, and psychosocial factors in assessing the prevalence of ULDs [6]

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