Ergonomic Job Analysis Research Articles

Trends in Workplace Changes: Follow-Up of Job Analyses

Ergonomic job analysis is considered to be a primary step in preventing work disability related to musculoskeletal problems. There has been little work examining what ergonomic changes are actually occurring after an ergonomic job analysis. This paper looks at what types of workplace changes are being implemented and what if any trends exist in these changes. It was found that in the manufacturing setting, workers were more likely to change jobs and workplace changes occurred with line changes rather than as an accommodation for a particular employee. In the office setting, ad hoc individualized changes to workstations were used in an effort to accommodate workers in their current jobs.

Ergonomic Approach of Cutting Process for Semiconductor Packaging Plants

The objective of this study is to develop a prevention program by means of ergonomic job analysis to find the potential ergonomic hazards of copper-slice cutting procedure in the IC packaging factory, the ergonomic job analysis method, moment and time measure, BRIEF ergonomic checklist and have been used to identify whether this cutting procedure is an ergonomic hazard process or not. The anthropometry data of operators has been collected and the maximum muscle forces of fingers and hand have been measured. The layout of copper-slice cutting procedure was measured. The job activities have been recorded by Camcorder V8 for analysis. There are highly repetitive activities in copper-slice cutting procedure. These layouts need to be redesigned and reengineered. Work standing-chairs are recommended to install in the work zone for the rest of operators.

An ergonomic analysis of premixing and compounding processes in an animal health plant.

This study is based on an ergonomic job analysis designed to develop a hazard prevention program for the premixing and compounding processes in animal health products plants. Animal health products plants are "pharmaceutical facilities" for livestock or domestic animals. A hazardous aerosol (highly concentrated antibiotics, anthelmintics, mineral oil, and animal hormones) is generated in the premixing or compounding processes. The animal health premixing jobs are heavy-duty jobs and have high potential for chemical exposure, heat stress, and ergonomic hazards. Ergonomic job analysis was used to recognize, identify, and evaluate actuarial and potential risks of injures or irritations. Chemical hazards and eight ergonomic factors were discussed: (1) forceful exertions, (2) awkward postures, (3) localized contract stresses, (4) vibration, (5) noise, (6) temperature extremes, (7) repetitive activities, and (8) prolonged activities. The results show that (1) current practices do not violate occupational safety and health regulations or recommended guidelines, but that hazards should be identified to protect worker health and safety; (2) for chemical hazards prevention, operators wear whole-body protection equipment, which also causes heat stress and increases the noise level in the work zone; and (3) the loading weight of the bags used needs to be reduced.

Perception and visualization of human posture information for computer-aided ergonomic analysis

This article reports three experiments that examined the effects of photographic method, computerized visualization scheme, and posture complexity on posture perception and specification for computer-aided ergonomic analysis. The subjects were presented with photographs of working postures, and were required to manipulate human forms generated by an ergonomics software program to match the postures in the photographs. The first experiment showed a clear advantage of using a three-dimensional (3-D) human form graphic with two photographs when complex, asymmetric postures were analysed. However, the use of a 3-D human graphic display and two photographs jeopardized the subjects' posture specification performance when simple, symmetric postures were analysed. The results of the second and the third experiment demonstrated the importance of achieving congruency between photographic and computer display perspectives in improving posture specification performance. Implications for ergonomic job analysis and ergonomics software design are discussed.

PATH: A work sampling-based approach to ergonomic job analysis for construction and other non-repetitive work

A high prevalence and incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been reported in construction work. Unlike industrial production-line activity, construction work, as well as work in many other occupations (e.g. agriculture, mining), is non-repetitive in nature; job tasks are non-cyclic, or consist of long or irregular cycles. PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling), a work sampling-based approach, was developed to characterize the ergonomic hazards of construction and other non-repetitive work. The posture codes in the PATH method are based on the Ovako Work Posture Analysing System (OWAS), with other codes included for describing worker activity, tool use, loads handled and grasp type. For heavy highway construction, observations are stratified by construction stage and operation, using a taxonomy developed specifically for this purpose. Observers can code the physical characteristics of the job reliably after about 30 h of training. A pilot study of six construction laborers during four road construction operations suggests that laborers spend large proportions of time in nonneutral trunk postures and spend approximately 20% of their time performing manual material handling tasks. These results demonstrate how the PATH method can be used to identify specific construction operations and tasks that are ergonomically hazardous.

On the analysis of sector-related and gender-related stresses at the workplace — An analysis of the AET data bank

A database of stress analyses collected by an ergonomic job analysis procedure (AET) was evaluated. The database was collected between 1979 and 1993 in 350 organizations by 150 analysts trained in ergonomics and includes 3893 job analyses covering 216 stress factors. The methods used in the evaluation included univariate profile and frequency analyses. The data was subjected to an ex-post quota check by economic sector and gender. The stress factors working posture, heavy dynamic and active light work, static work, information reception and processing, physical and chemical working environment were investigated by economic sector and gender. Analysis shows that heavy dynamic work predominates in the building industry and in agriculture and active light work in manufacturing industry, whilst work in the private household involves high proportions of both heavy dynamic and active light work. Information reception via proprioceptors is of particular importance in the building industry and public corporations (e.g. municipal workers). The analysts gave high ratings to informatory and mental stress factors in jobs in the services sector and in public corporations. In contrast, physical and chemical environmental stress factors predominate in mining, manufacturing industry and the building industry. Significant gender-specific differences were found in the stresses arising from physical work, sensomotor work and the physical and chemical environmental factors. Investigations scheduled for the future are described.

Stability Limits in Extreme Postures: Effects of Load Positioning and Foot Placement

Although injuries related to postural stability are prevalent, ergonomic job analyses have traditionally not addressed stability issues. In this research, functional stability limits are quantified for persons standing in extreme postures under various external load and foot positioning conditions. Six subjects were tested while standing unladen and while holding a 5.2 kg load. The foot positions, or bases of support (BOS), were varied in width of the stance and sagittal separation of the feet. They were asked to lean and displace their center of gravity (COG) as far as possible in eight directions to the sides and front of the body. Stability measures based on these COG displacements were calculated. All controlled variables significantly affected the stability measures. When standing unladen, subjects extended their COG to within 99% of their BOS limit. Movement was much more restricted when leaning while handling a load (89%), especially holding it with one hand on the shoulder (84%). On average, increased separation of the feet in a particular direction resulted in larger COG displacements in that direction. The results are discussed relative to their effects on balance and stability modeling.

Postural Stability While Walking and Carrying Loads in Various Postures

Falls, over-exertion injuries and other potential consequences of balance losses continue to be serious ergonomic concerns. Stability issues are important in the prevention of these injuries, especially when the task is complicated by handling loads. However, stability analyses are not typical components of ergonomic job analyses. This study demonstrated that stability assessments can be effective in recommending load-carrying strategies. In particular, the effects of load positioning and magnitude on stability were investigated. Unladen walking was also tested for comparison. Several stability measures were defined based on the body-and-load's center of mass displacement in the frontal plane. Statistical differences among the load positions and magnitudes were found and are discussed. Results were consistent across measures. Additional work is needed to better define the limits of stability while carrying and to relate these, or other, stability measures to the likelihood of a balance loss.

Frame of Reference in Posture Specification for Computer-Aided Ergonomic Analysis

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the congruency between the reference frame adopted to perceive and record postures and the one employed in a computer-aided ergonomics software on human posture specification performance. The role that the interface can play in enhancing the congruency was also investigated. The subjects were presented with the photographs of a working posture, and were required to manipulate the human stick figures generated by the ergonomics software to match the posture in the photographs. The experiment showed that the congruency played a significant role in facilitating the performance of posture specification for ergonomic analysis. It also demonstrated a clear advantage of using a 3-D humanoid display to improve the congruency when it is not achievable in the pre-analysis posture data-collection. Implications for ergonomic job analysis and ergonomics software design are discussed.

Clinical ergonomic job analysis and consultation: Facilitating work reentry in a case with upper extremity cumulative trauma-related disability

The management of work-related recurrent and chronic upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTDs) represents a challenge particularly when return to work is a treatment goal. Many of these work-related UECTDs may be the consequence of exposure to such physical stressors as repetition, excessive force, awkward and sustained posture in addition to psychosocial stressors in the workplace. Pain and associated disability can be exacerbated by these ergonomic and psychosocial stressors. The application of ergonomic principles and techniques in the context of clinical management of UECTDs may assist in efforts to return the injured worker to work and reduce the likelihood of increased symptoms, discomfort, and disability. This paper presents a case of a 43-year-old dental hygientist unable to work for a period of 2 months due to recurrent episodes of pain in the neck, right shoulder, and arm radiating to the right thumb experienced episodically over a 10-year duration. The case is presented to illustrate the application of ergonomic principles and techniques in the clinical management of a chronic episodic UECTD. The implementation of an ergonomic job analysis and subsequent ergonomic interventions at the workplace that occurred in conjunction with rehabilitation was associated with anecdotal improvements in pain, function, and comfort levels upon returning to work. While the case highlights the potential utility of ergonomics in the management of an occupational musculoskeletal upper extremity disorder, the need for reliable, valid, cost effective, and time efficient methods to assess ergonomic exposure within a clinical context remain to be developed.

Evaluation of worker workload in flexible manufacturing industry

AbstractData collected in various branches of industry by the Ergonomic Job Analysis (AET) method are used to analyze and assess the impact of the trend toward more flexibility in industrial production on the job content of the workers and on the demands placed on them. It is established that a broad spectrum of tasks equates with a broad range of demands. New stresses and strains arising from the changes in tasks and demands are identified and objectives for future research in this area are listed.

Ergonomic Improvement of a Machine Maintenance Procedure: A Case Study

An employee who performs maintenance work on machinery used in the manufacture of electronics equipment reported to the company medical department and was diagnosed with elbow tendinitis. An ergonomic job analysis was conducted and solutions implemented to prevent future injuries. Significant improvements were realized as a result of new tools, engineering changes, personal protective equipment, process changes, and ergonomic training. The most significant were the reduction of musculoskeletal stresses suffered by these workers as well as substantial reductions in machine downtime per year.

Ergonomic job analysis: Methods to identify, evaluate and control exposures to risk factors in the work-place : Keyserling, W.M., Bigelow, A.B., Brouwer, M.L., and Murphy, L.A. In: B. Das (Ed), Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety — II, Taylor & Francis, London, 1990, pp 963–970, 20 refs

Ergonomic job analysis: Methods to identify, evaluate and control exposures to risk factors in the work-place : Keyserling, W.M., Bigelow, A.B., Brouwer, M.L., and Murphy, L.A. In: B. Das (Ed), Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety — II, Taylor & Francis, London, 1990, pp 963–970, 20 refs

Ergonomic Job Analysis: A Structured Approach for Identifying Risk Factors Associated with Overexertion Injuries and Disorders

Abstract Overexertion injuries and disorders, such as low back pain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome, are the leading cause of work-related disabilities and Workers' Compensation costs in the United States and other industrialized nations. These injuries and disorders have been associated with six generic categories of ergonomic risk factors which are found in a broad spectrum of manufacturing and service jobs: 1) forceful exertions, 2) awkward work postures, 3) localized contact stresses, 4) whole-body or segmental vibration, 5) temperature extremes, and 6) repetitive motions or prolonged activities. Once recognized and evaluated, ergonomic principles can be applied to reduce exposures to these risk factors as part of a comprehensive program to control over-exertion injuries. A structured job analysis procedure has been developed to assist occupational health and safety professionals in the recognition and evaluation of exposures to ergonomic stresses in the workplace. This procedure is based on s...

Job analysis at ARBED

Ergonomic job analyses are applied at ARBED since 1960. In the first years they were mainly based on physiological stress measurements. But in recent years newly developed standardized ergonomic analyses were tested and used to complete or even substitute the classical ergonomic methods. Two standardized methods, which are actually used currently at ARBED, are presented: the ‘Profils de Postes’ (job profiles); and the ‘Arbeitswissenschaftliches Erhebungsverfahren zur Taetigkeitsa-nalyse’ AET (ergonomic method for job analysis). The principles and possibilities of both methods are explained and their utilities are shown on a practical analysis of a job, involving the handling of heavy loads.

Job analysis applied to the special needs of the disabled

Job analysis data arc helpful in solving a wide range of rehabilitation and ergonomic problems. The ergonomic job analysis procedure for the disabled is based on a universal procedure, called AET (Arbeitswisscnschaftliches Erhebungsverfahren zur Tutigkeitsanalyse). To this basic procedure a supplement for the analysis of jobs for the disabled has been added. The idea of supplementing a basic job analysis procedure for special purposes enables us not only to compare (e.g., by cluster analysis) basic data from a wide range of jobs but also to analyse groups of jobs in more detail. This paper.describes the structure and contents of the supplement for the disabled. The procedure is applied to find new occupations for the visually impaired and lo analyse the vocational situation of the disabled within industry and sheltered workshops.