Actual Work Situation Research Articles

Structure Strength Analysis and Optimization Design of the Moving Arm of the Loader Based on ANSYS

It is necessary to analyze the structural strength of the moving arm and make some optimization designs to reduce its weight. According to the actual structural sizes of the moving arm of a loader, we build its 3D mathematical model by bottom-to-up modeling method in ANSYS. Having considered bearing actual loads and displacement constraint conditions of a moving arm in actual working situations, we got the stress distribution rules and the destructible locations of the moving arm in a working cycle after analyzing the strengths of the moving arm in six different typical kinds of working conditions. Based on this, we made the design module and the structural optimization designs of the moving arm by using first-order method based on the objective function's sensitive degree to design variables in ANSYS software. The results of the study suggest that the maximum equivalent effective stresses in six different typical kinds of working conditions are all less than the admissible stress of the material of the moving arm, and the maximum bearing stress exists in the working condition with bearing unbalance loadings in horizontal and vertical directions. The advantage of the optimization design is outstanding with the 67% less of the maximum equivalent stress of the moving arm and 15.4% less of the volume.

A necessidade de novos métodos para análise de acidentes de trabalho na perícia judicial

O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar a necessidade da mudança dos métodos de análise dos acidentes de trabalho na perícia judicial. Propõe abandonar o modelo simplista do ato inseguro praticado pelo trabalhador, que tem servido sempre como base para a construção da culpa, tornando mais abrangente e cuidadosa a análise da atividade realizada e das condições de funcionamento do sistema sociotécnico em que se deu o evento. Técnicas de análise ergonômica do trabalho são utilizadas para melhor entendimento da real situação do trabalho. O artigo objetiva ainda demonstrar como um laudo pericial acidentário, apoiado na análise da atividade realizada, sustentou o presente caso em seu trajeto na Justiça do Trabalho.

The conceptions of work in the accounting profession in the twenty-first century from the experiences of practitioners

The accounting profession, which has commercialised its services extensively in the past two to three decades, is facing the challenges of change. An early and concerted response to the changes in the scope of work was the emphasis on developing generic skills in accounting higher education. This study recognises the relevance of accounting practitioners’ experiences of the manifestations of change in actual work situations and investigates their conceptions of accounting work. A phenomenographic approach identified practitioners’ focus of awareness on the functional, outcome and ethical aspects of accounting work. In particular, practitioners described the prevalence of ethics in all facets of their work, their autonomous position and ethical tensions. The pressures of commercialism are also reflected in their conceptions. The findings have raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the present curriculum for preparing accounting graduates for the ethical challenges of work in today's accounting profession. The relevance of developing professional values and identities as a trajectory both within and beyond university learning is advanced.

Research and Development on Safety Monitoring Network System for Electric Locomotive Servicing Work

A safety network system is designed based on PROFIBUS-DP field bus, according to actual servicing work situation and control requirements for electric locomotive servicing work. The system realizes communication between first class master station and third equipment through using PROFIBUS-DP bus protocol. It also realizes interactive operation between slave station and non-contact IC card, meanwhile, slave station and MCU system. In addition, this article has analyzed the multi-task scheduling mechanism and data communication security on monitoring network system in detail as well. Results show that the system has higher application value through entire debugging and testing on network control system.

The Research and Design of An Interpolation Filter Used in an Audio DAC

Interpolation Filter plays an important part in the Sigma-Delta DAC. This paper describes a low-pass interpolation filter with adjustable oversampling ratio applied in a 24-bit audio DAC. The interpolation filter we design is a 3-stage structure with two stages half-band pass filter and a novel high ratio interpolation filter. We apply a novel structure of hardware to implement the half-band pass filter. Compare with traditional method, the new method only costs four group adders and the same size ROM and RAM to complete the work. The third stage of the interpolation filter we design to implement high ratio interpolation. We just use normal logic and time units to replace the CIC (Cascaded Integrator-Comb) filer without any adders applied. The in-band SNR and THD can achieve about 131.9 dB and - 90.5 dB in the actual work situation. We design it aided by the Matlab&Simulink. The filter has been verified by FPGA and synthesized by DC tools. The performance of the filter can meet the audio specifications.

A Study of Political Styles of Managers in Public & Private Organizations


 
 
 No organization is devoid of power. The power relationship is the context for political action and encompasses the most basic issues underlying organizational politics. To understand organizational politics played by individuals occupying various positions an analysis of power, coalition, and bargaining in imperative. The study uses Kakabadse (1983) model to find out political style of Indian managers and compare managers working in private & public manufacturing organizations. 80 managers were drawn from lower and middle level management levels. Indian managers' preference of political styles indicates that the preferred styles remain the same irrespective of type of company worked for. Indian Managers are basically Team Coaches followed by Visionary style who are comfortable with criticism, confrontations and conflict. Results indicate the vast difference between what is perceived and what is put into action among Indian managers. When it came to the leadership style adopted it was found that the Participative style was the least adopted style in actual work situation. The results are discussed in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations.
 
 

What Conditions are Required to Effectively Use Augmented Reality for Manuals in Actual Work

Augmented Reality (AR) is expected to be applied to manuals for assembling or inspecting tasks instead of traditional paper-based ones. Our previous study revealed that when an AR manual was experimentally used for a wiring task, efficiency became higher and human error decreased. However, in order to practically apply AR manuals in actual work situations, some human factor requirements should be clarified in advance. Thus, in this study, we attempt to make it clear what kinds of effects they have on performance by some conditions or restrictions. Particularly considering that a user wears a head-mounted display (HMD) and sees images presented by that superimposed on the real view, we examine the effects of those through some experiments. From the results, we found that a monocular HMD is better to be worn on nondominant eye, that information of an AR manual should be given part by part or one by one when the real view is complicated, and so on. We suggest conditions that do not affect their performance, or rather that enhance it in actual work situations, in this study.

O Programa de Saúde da Família sob o ponto de vista da atividade: uma análise das relações entre os processos de trabalho, saúde e subjetivação

O Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) surge como uma estratégia de reorganização da assistência à saúde pública do Brasil, com rápida expansão de cobertura populacional, ampliando o número de contratados. Seu foco de mudanças pretendido é o processo de trabalho, com a implementação de mudanças tecnológico-organizacionais que visam aumentar a resolutividade das ações de saúde no âmbito da Atenção Básica, colocando novos desafios para os profissionais de saúde. Procuramos analisar as relações entre os processos de trabalho, saúde e subjetivação em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do sul do país que opera o Programa de Saúde da Família, orientados pelo ponto de vista da atividade. Detectamos lacunas entre as normas prescritivas do PSF e as situações concretas de trabalho, frente às quais os profissionais procuravam viabilizar a luta pela saúde, (re)normatizando seus meios de trabalho. A partir do tipo de gestão encaminhada na Unidade, o trabalho constituiu-se como uma zona de desenvolvimento potencial de invenção, permitindo o enlace entre a eficácia de suas ações e a criatividade, colaborando para fortalecer a luta pela sua saúde.

Work, Family, and Individual Factors Associated with Mothers Attaining Their Preferred Work Situations

This study explores work, family, and individual factors associated with mothers attaining their preferred work situations, including full‐time, part‐time, work from home, and no paid work. Data are taken from a sub‐sample of 1,777 mothers from a nationally representative sample contacted by random‐digit dialing phone interviews by the University of Connecticut Center for Survey Research and Analysis and the Motherhood Study. Actual work situation, household income, spouse or partner's work situation, perception of family financial responsibility, race, and religion are associated with attaining preferred work situations using logistic regression, ANOVA, and chi‐square analyses. Thirty‐six percent of mothers who are in their preferred work situations have experienced fewer negative emotions and more positive emotions, suggesting implications for individual and family well‐being and work—family policies.

Field study of the effects of a self-implemented feedback program on housekeeping performance

Much of the evidence on the efficacy of occupational health and safety feedback programs has come from investigations in which the program was implemented by researchers without the active involvement of the workers. The effectiveness of feedback interventions in actual work situations thus requires testing. The housekeeping performance of three road maintenance areas and one garage was monitored over a 6–17-month period. Follow-up measurements were made after 3–4 years. A multiple baseline across-groups design was used to assess the impact of infrequent (at gradually increasing intervals), publicly posted housekeeping feedback on the housekeeping level. On-site personnel were included in the implementation process. The housekeeping performance improved in all units, and was maintained over a 3–4-year period in two out of four units after gradual termination of the feedback. The results indicate that good and partly permanent results can be achieved in conditions where the responsibility of the implementation is delegated mainly to the workplace. Relevance to industry The study describes an application of a participatory ergonomics process. The methodology worked well in a situation where the responsibility of the implementation was delegated mainly to the workplace. The feedback program could be easily incorporated within a line organization's routine, and therefore it seems suitable for everyday use.

Heart Rate as an Index of Thermal Stress

Heat stress is difficult to quantify in actual work situations. The purpose of this study is to show that Cardiac Thermal Extra Pulse (CTEP) which is the mean heart rate (HR) of the 3rd, 4th and 5th minute of recovery minus rest HR before the exposure is a simple index of thermal strain. CTEP were recorded on 98 workers during 132 actual work periods. The relationship between the oral temperature increase from the beginning to the end of the heat exposure (dtor) and the corresponding CTEP is dtor = 0.05 + 0.29 CTEP (p<0.001; see = 0.18 °C). From these results, it can be concluded that as long as the CTEP remains below 20 beats per minute the increase of oral temperature is lower than 1 °C and thus the thermal strain is physiologically acceptable if the exposure time is less than one hour. The easy use of new HR recorders could make CTEP a reference parameter for simple thermal strain quantification.

A Dynamic Model of Work Satisfaction: Qualitative Approaches

Traditional work satisfaction research is criticized for its personalistic approach in conceptualization and measurement. Its results are doubted because of the artificially high proportions of satisfied. In order to overcome some of these shortcomings, the extended model of different forms of work satisfaction originally proposed by Bruggemann (1974) is validated. Six forms of work satisfaction (progressive, stabilized, resigned satisfaction; constructive, fixated, resigned dissatisfaction) are derived from the constellation of four constituent variables: comparison of the actual work situation and personal aspirations, global satisfaction, changes in level of aspiration, controllability at work. Results from semistructured interviews, a free Q-sort, and a questionnaire for differentiating forms of work satisfaction for 46 nurses provide support for the model. Various methods proved useful in accessing particular aspects of the underlying cognitive and evaluative processes in the formation of different forms of work satisfaction. Implications for personnel management and studies in organizational behavior (performance, intervention strategies) are discussed.

A Dynamic Model of Work Satisfaction: Qualitative Approaches

Traditional work satisfaction research iscriticized for its personalistic approach inconceptualization and measurement. Its results aredoubted because of the artificially high proportions ofsatisfied. In order to overcome some of theseshortcomings, the extended model of different forms ofwork satisfaction originally proposed by Bruggemann(1974) is validated. Six forms of work satisfaction(progressive, stabilized, resigned satisfaction;constructive, fixated, resigned dissatisfaction) arederived from the constellation of four constituentvariables: comparison of the actual work situation andpersonal aspirations, global satisfaction, changes inlevel of aspiration, controllability at work. Resultsfrom semistructured interviews, a free Q-sort, and aquestionnaire for differentiating forms of worksatisfaction for 46 nurses provide support for the model.Various methods proved useful in accessing particularaspects of the underlying cognitive and evaluativeprocesses in the formation of different forms of work satisfaction. Implications for personnelmanagement and studies in organizational behavior(performance, intervention strategies) arediscussed.

Different Forms of Work Satisfaction

The extended model of different forms of work satisfaction ( Büssing, 1991 ), originally proposed by Bruggemann (1974) , is suggested as a distinctive qualitative approach to work satisfaction. Six forms of work satisfaction—progressive, stabilized, resigned satisfaction, constructive, fixated, resigned dissatisfaction—are derived from the constellation of four constituent variables: comparison of the actual work situation and personal aspirations, global satisfaction, changes in level of aspiration, controllability at work. Preliminary evidence from semi-structured interviews with 46 nurses shows that the dynamic model is headed in the right direction (qualitative differentiation of consistently high propertions of satisfied employees, uncovering processes of person-work situation interaction). Qualitative methods demonstrated their usefulness in accessing underlying cognitive and evaluative processes of the forms, which are often neglected by traditional attitude-based satisfaction research.

Motivating factors for return to work.

A new concept to increase return to work for patients listed as sick with chronic musculoskeletal pain has been used at a rehabilitation centre in Luleå, Sweden. The programme includes work for three days a week and intensive rehabilitation for two days a week, for 12 weeks, as a combination of 'on the job' training and rehabilitation after a period off work sick. The rehabilitation programme focused on pain reduction, identifying and finding solutions to pain problems in actual work and life situations and training of the functional capacities needed in the work and life situation. The aim of the study was to describe patients' perceptions of motivating factors for return to work. A phenomenological method was used. A naïve reading of interview notes was followed by structural analyses and reflections on the interpreted whole. Inclusion criteria for the study were musculoskeletal pain for at least one year and a period of at least four weeks' sick leave during that time. Ten patients, aged 30-54 years, participated in the study. An initial conceptual framework was developed to inform the scope of the study and to guide data collection and analysis. Different factors in the study framework influenced motivation to return to work. Among structural factors the division of labour at work was the most important motivator, particularly the ability to do as much as work colleagues, quantitatively and qualitatively. All the patients had jobs in the healthcare or service sectors, jobs with many social contacts. They perceived their work task content as being of minor importance compared to whether the tasks were perceived as meaningful or highly needed by others. All wanted a meaningful job content and a job which they could do in a satisfactory way according to their own norms and compared to colleagues. This highly increased motivation for return to work. Relationships (in terms of co-operation with colleagues and service to patients or clients) were important motivating factors for return to work. Self-confidence was a new factor of importance for return to work; work tasks had to be meaningful and needed by others, work must be done in a way satisfactory for the individual and in a way that was acceptable to others in the group. Everyday responsibility, feedback and support in daily work tasks were important. These aspects increased self-confidence. The results supported the development of a new conceptual framework for possible motivating factors for return to work. Structure, content, relationships, health and self-confidence were all important motivating factors for return to work.

The evaluation of an individual burnout intervention program: The role of inequity and social support.

This study evaluated a 5-week, group-based burnout intervention program among direct-care professionals working with mentally disabled individuals. Equity theory was used as the theoretical framework. The main objective of the program was to reduce perceptions of inequity in the relationship with the organization and with the recipients of care by increasing the fit between the professional's goals and expectations and the actual work situation. One experimental group and 2 control groups participated. All 3 groups filled out 3 questionnaires: before the program started, 6 months later, and 1 year later. Individual absenteeism rates were assessed for 1 year before and after the program. Results showed that in the experimental group burnout, absence, and deprived feelings diminished compared with the control groups. The most profound effects were among participants who could draw on social resources to benefit from the intervention.

Vocational perspectives and neuromuscular disorders.

The present study analyses the actual occupational situation, vocational handicaps and past labour career of a group of about 1000 Dutch patients suffering from a neuromuscular disorder (NMD). On the basis of the likelihood of a substantial employment history and sufficient numbers of patients, four types of NMD were selected: dystrophia myotonica (DM), hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, (HMSN), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and myasthenia gravis (MG). Results show that a labour career is in reach of most NMD patients, even for those with severe limitations. It is concluded that physical limitations seem not to be decisive in that respect. The loss of the quality of communication, the loss of mental abilities and the effect of the diseases on the facial expression, as with some DM patients, are also important for chances on the labour market. Though the labour participation of NMD patients tends to decrease after the age of 34, the availability of work adaptations makes it possible to prolong the labour career. Analysis of the actual work situation of NMD patients shows that both disorder-related limitations and work characteristics play an important role in the amount of physical work problems encountered. It is argued that physical labour has to be regarded as generally unsuitable for NMD patients. This has implications for the sort and level of education to be attained by NMD patients. Career counselling as a focus point for the choice of an educational programme may improve labour market opportunities as well as quality of employment of NMD patients. Allowing for and accepting the possible effects of the disorder in the work situation are considered to be important in respect to labour participation and work satisfaction of workers with NMD. Reducing time pressure demands and increasing the freedom to organize one's work, are measures to be given especial consideration.

A new method for extending the range of conductive polymer sensors for contact force

This paper describes a technique for extending the force range of thin conductive polymer force sensors used for measuring contact force. These sensors are conventionally used for measuring force by changing electrical resistance when they are compressed. The new method involves measuring change in electrical resistance when the flexible sensor, which is sensitive to both compression and bending, is sandwiched between two layers of spring steel, and the structure is supported on a thin metal ring. When external force is applied, the stiffened sensor inside the spring steel is deformed within the annular center of the ring, causing the sensor to bend in proportion to the applied force. This method effectively increases the usable force range, while adding little in the way of thickness and weight. Average error for loads between 10 N and 100 N was 2.2 N (SD = 1.7) for a conventional conductive polymer sensor, and 0.9 N (SD = 0.4) using the new approach. Although this method permits measurement of greater loads with an error less than 1 N, it is limited since the modified sensor is insensitive to loads less than 5 N. These modified sensors are nevertheless useful for directly measuring normal force applied against handles and tools and other situations involving forceful manual work activities, such as grasp, push, pull, or press that could not otherwise be measured in actual work situations.

The Responsive Workbench [virtual work environment

The Responsive Workbench concept was developed as an alternative to the multimedia and virtual reality systems of the past decade. It was recognized that almost nobody wants simulations of their working worlds in a desktop environment. Generally. users want to focus on their tasks rather than on operating the computer. The Responsive Workbench is a virtual working environment that locates virtual objects and control tools on a real "workbench". The objects-computer-generated stereo images-are projected onto the surface of a workbench. This setting corresponds to the actual work situation in an architect's office, in surgery, and so forth. A human guide uses the virtual working environment while several collaborators watch events through stereo shutter glasses. The participants operate within a nonimmersive virtual environment. Depending on the application, the virtual workbench can integrate various input and output modules, such as motion, gesture, and voice recognition systems. This characterizes the general trend away from the classical human-machine interface. Several guides can work together in similar environments either locally or by using broadband communication networks. A responsive environment, consisting of powerful graphics workstations, tracking systems, cameras, projectors, and microphones, replaces the traditional multimedia desktop workstation.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Work load and physiological responses during asbestos removal with protective clothing

The removal of asbestos-containing building materials requires the use of dust-repelling protective clothing and a respirator. The present study was aimed at measuring physiological responses to asbestos removal in actual work situations. The subjects were eight asbestos workers. During the work, the men wore permeable or impermeable clothing along with a powered or non-powered filtering device including a full-face or half-face mask. Environmental parameters, work postures, heart rate (HR), the skin temperature at two sites and the rectal temperature were recorded every minute during work. Perceived exertion, thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and skin wetness were rated by the subjects. The ambient temperature at work sites ranged from 19 degrees to 37.5 degrees C and relative humidity, from 21% to 50%. The mean HR ranged from 101 to 141 beats min-1. The calculated (from HR measurements) average oxygen consumption (VO2) varied from 0.9 to 1.9 l min-1, which corresponded to 27%-60% of the maximal value. The peak rectal temperature and the highest mean of two measurements of skin temperature were 37.7 degrees +/- 0.3 degree C and 34.4 degrees +/- 0.9 degree C, respectively. The sweat rate varied from 162 to 583 g h-1. Poor work posture was common during asbestos removal. The arms were elevated over shoulder level for 35% of the work time. During the work the mean physiological strain was considered to be moderate, with some heavy peak loads being registered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)