Ergonomic Methods Research Articles

Designing success: Applying Cognitive Work Analysis to optimise a para sport system

Within the last decade, Para sport has experienced increased growth, global popularity, and scientific research. Likewise, there is increasing application of systems ergonomics methods to optimise sports performance. Despite this, few studies have attempted to analyse Para sport as a complex system. The aim of this study was to apply a systems ergonomics framework to redesign a current Para sport system via a multi staged approach. The Cognitive Work Analysis framework was used to model and redesign the Para sport system, via the insertion of design interventions. The findings offer insights into the complexity of the Para sport system via the multiple interacting factors that influence the performance of the system. In addition, the design interventions had substantial influence on the Para sport system by creating multiple new processes, functions, measures, and purposes, and enhanced multiple components of the existing system. This study provides a unique contribution to ergonomic science and extends system ergonomics theory and methods in sport. This study has practical implications for policy development by providing a template that can be used by others wanting to optimise able-bodied sport, Para sport, and non-sport systems.

Differences between risk situations identified using a self-reported questionnaire and an observational method.

This study investigates work-related musculoskeletal disorders risk estimation by frequently as used as ergonomic methods in the field. To identify the difference in risk estimation by an in-house observational method and a self-reported questionnaire, and to evaluate the complementary aspects of these methods. A sample of 15 operators who worked on the assembly workstations was selected from a truck manufacturing plant. The risk assessment of these workstations (28 scenarios) was performed by the observational method and the self-reported questionnaire. The agreement between both methods to identify risk situations was measured with the weighted Kappa coefficient. The observational method and the self-reported questionnaire deployed on the same activity estimated different risk situations. This analysis does not reveal that one tool is more powerful than the other one, but shows the probability of different risk estimation. The complementary effect of each method might be considered for further investigation concerning musculoskeletal risk factors.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics risk assessment and implementation of participatory ergonomics program for pistachio farm workers.

Background and objectives: Pistachio farmers are exposed to a variety of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, no study has been conducted to investigate MSDs in pistachio workers. Therefore, in the present study, besides investigating the prevalence of MSDs and their ergonomic risk factors, the participatory ergonomics (PE) method is used to provide an intervention program to reduce MSDs in this population in harvesting and processing pistachio. Methods: The present study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase 138 workers participated. The prevalence of MSDs was assessed with Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the ergonomic risk factors was identified with ManTRA method. In the second phase PE was used to perform ergonomic interventions for reducing MSDs and the effect of the intervention was investigated. Sixty-four workers participated in the second phase (32 in the case group and 32 in the control group). Results: The highest prevalence of MSDs was in shoulders (63.7%), followed by the lower back (63%) and wrists/hands (52.1%). The comparison showed that after implementing the PE intervention program, the prevalence of MSDs in the intervention group was not significantly different from that in the control group. However, in the reassessment by the ManTRA method for five tasks that were identified as high risk in the first phase, a decrease in ManTRA final score was observed for all the five tasks. Conclusions: MSDs were prevalent in all body regions of workers. After implementing PE interventions exposure to ergonomic risk factors decreased.

Ergonomic assessment and hand tool redesign for the small scale furniture industry

Abstract In India, wooden furniture is primarily made in small-scale workshops (SSW), and hand tools accomplish most of the tasks. The activities performed in awkward posture causes musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the workers. However, the study of ergonomic assessment of work tasks and workers' posture during work is not explored for the Indian context. This study aims to recognize the MSDs and risky postures among SSW workers using ergonomic assessment methods. Based on the ergonomic assessment study outcomes, the hand tool is redesigned. The findings of the survey were used to explore further issues in employees. 70 randomly selected furniture workers from different workshops located in Kota participated in this research. The highest complaints were identified in the shoulders (75.14 percent), in the knees (54.28 percent). Ergonomic evaluation of posture was done, and workers' awkward posture was identified to improve the posture. After modifying the tool, the worker's comfort was evaluated and found satisfaction among the workers.

Evaluation of a New Industrial Process Flow and Ergonomic Methods to Increase the Productivity and Quality in an Agricultural Industry of Mexicali Valley, Mexico

Evaluation of a New Industrial Process Flow and Ergonomic Methods to Increase the Productivity and Quality in an Agricultural Industry of Mexicali Valley, Mexico

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Unstructured, Unregulated Work: Assessment Methods and Injuries.

Unstructured and unregulated work is expanding fast among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Furthermore, accumulation of urban waste resulting from overconsumption is a global concern. Hence, waste management and recycling have received increased attention. One specific waste category pertaining to electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at a higher rate than other waste streams. Recycling of e-waste is largely informal and disproportionately relies on LMICs, exposing workers to various occupational and environmental health risks. In order to promote safer work practices and limit a broad range of occupational health and safety concerns associated with informal manual work, the broader psychosocial and sociocultural environment also deserves attention. This symposium will discuss contemporary issues in informal, unregulated, unstructured work in LMICs, primarily in Africa and South America. The goal of the symposium is to call attention to both, the unique occupational context of informal work, and the need for new ergonomics methods to address occupational exposure assessment and musculoskeletal injury prevention adapted to informal work in limited resource settings.

Digital Eye Strain Epidemic amid COVID-19 Pandemic – A Cross-sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Purpose: There has been an enormous increase in the use of gadgets for online classes and entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of digital eye strain (DES), describe the pattern of gadget usage, and analyse the risk factors for DES. Methods: This online survey analysed 941 responses from students of online classes (688), teachers of online classes (45), and general population (208). A pre-validated questionnaire was used to calculate the DES score. Non-parametric tests of medians were used to compare the median DES score, Chi-square test to compare categorical variables, and binary logistic regression to find the predictors of DES. Results: The prevalence of eye strain was higher among students taking online classes compared to the general public (50.6% vs 33.2%; χ2 = 22.5, df = 1, p < .0001). There was an increase in screen time during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic time. The DES score was highest among students attending online classes (p < .0001), in those with eye diseases (p = .001), greater screen time (p = <0.0001), screen distance <20 cm (p = .002), those who used gadgets in dark (p = .017) and those who took infrequent/no breaks (p = .018). The DES scores were proportional to the increase in the number of hours of gadget usage during the pandemic. Conclusion: There is a need to educate people about limiting overall screen exposure and ergonomic methods of screen viewing. Efforts from policymakers to reduce the duration of online classes for students and online work hours for professionals are warranted to control this epidemic of eye strain.

Updates on NORA Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector Council Activities

The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a research framework for the nation and for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NORA Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector (MUS) Council focuses on the mitigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Two projects have been chosen by the MUS Council for disseminating existing information on ergonomic assessment methods and interventions. The first project involves collaboration with the AIHA Ergonomics Committee on the latest update of the AIHA Ergonomic Assessment Toolkit. The second project aims to post all-industry information on ergonomic solutions/interventions/guidelines in collaboration with the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). The MUS Council plans on leveraging the collaborative efforts for promoting widespread adoption of evidence-based workplace practices for the prevention of WMSDs.

Proactively identifying the risks to performance in elite sport systems: A novel application of the Networked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (Net-HARMS) in women’s cycling

There is increasing interest in applying systems Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) methods in sport. The Networked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (Net-HARMS) is a recently developed risk assessment (RA) approach that draws on systems HFE methods to identify risks across overall work systems. What makes Net-HARMS unique is its capacity to identify ‘emergent risks’ – those unexpected risks that arise when risks from across the system combine and interact. Whilst the method was developed to support the identification of risks in safety-critical systems, its capacity to identify risks in other domains has been noted. This study sets out to use Net-HARMS in the context of elite women’s road cycling to predict all the credible risks that could degrade optimal sports performance. The findings demonstrate that Net-HARMS can be effectively applied in a context other than safety, and that multiple risks threatening the performance of the cycling team were identified.

Ergonomic Reliability Assessment for Passenger Car Interface Design Based on EWM-MADM and Human Cognitive Reliability Experiments

The ergonomic reliability assessment of interface design scheme for the passenger car is very practical to enhance driving safety performance. In addition, it can significantly reduce development costs and the development cycle of the new car. From the perspective of guiding the improvement of the central console interactive interface design of the passenger car, the most effective method to build the ergonomic reliability assessment method of the interactive interface is to evaluate and predict the human reliability objectively and subjectively and to design, feedback, and guide the design process of the ergonomic interface for the passenger car. Firstly, the questionnaire survey and the classification of ergonomic reliability analysis factors are analyzed to be put forward based on predecessors; the judgment layer factors and index layer factors of human-machine interaction interface in automobile central console are put forward. Secondly, entropy weight method (EWM) and multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) were used for objective evaluation and subjective evaluation, respectively. Thirdly, the interaction interfaces in central consoles of three different passenger cars are taken as examples; objective simulated experimental test based on entropy weight method and subjective scoring evaluation based on MADM were conducted, respectively. Besides, the objective evaluation and subjective evaluation are coupled by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. Finally, to verify the effectiveness and rationality of the ergonomic reliability assessment method, human cognitive reliability experiments are made based on the data acquisition from the eye-tracking experiments.

Systems thinking-based risk assessment methods applied to sports performance: A comparison of STPA, EAST-BL, and Net-HARMS in the context of elite women's road cycling

There is increasing interest in applying systems Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) methods in sport. Risk assessment (RA) methods can be used identify risks which may impact the performance of individual athletes, teams, and overall sports systems; however, they have not yet been tested in sport. This study sets out to apply and compare three systems thinking-based RA methods in the context of elite sports performance and report on the frequency and types of the risks identified. The Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method, the Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork Broken Links (EAST-BL) method, and the Networked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (Net-HARMS) method were applied to elite women's road cycling to identify all the credible risks that could degrade optimal team performance. The findings demonstrate that all three methods appear to provide useful results in a context other than safety, and that multiple risks threatening the performance of the cycling team were identified. Whilst the frequency and types of risks differed across the methods applied, there are additional theoretical, methodological, and practical implications to be considered prior to the selection and use of systems thinking-based RA approaches. Recommendations and directions for future HFE and sports science research are discussed.

ERGONOMIC ORIENTED WORKING METHOD IN THE PROCESS OF WIPING CANS OF SARDINES INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME OF WORKERS PT. BMP NEGARA, BALI

Motivation/Background: Productivity improvement is one of the important goals that need to be done by a company, including fish canning industry. High productivity can be achieved with the appropriate working method. This study was conducted to find out whether ergonomic oriented working method in sardine cans wiping process increasing productivity and income of workers in PT. BMP Negara compared than ergonomic un-oriented working method.&#x0D; Method: This study was experimental study with design two periods cross over pre and posttest group. Number of sample was 18 workers. This study was done at PT. BMP Negara, Jembrana Regency, Bali Province in December 2016. There are two different working method applied in the process of wiping cans of sardines, called ergonomic un-oriented working method and ergonomic oriented working method. Data collected was productivity and workers income. Those datas were compared and tested statistically, using Wilcoxon signed rank test.&#x0D; Results: The result showed that the ergonomic oriented working method increased productivities about 34.43% (p&lt;0.05) and increased the income of workers as much as 31.51% (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions: It could be concluded that ergonomic oriented working method in the process of wiping cans of sardines increased productivity and income of workers in PT.BMP Negara.

Application of short diagnosis as an ergonomic intervention tool in a sawmill in Amazonia

This work aims to apply the Short Diagnosis in a sawmill in Amazonia. The originality of this work lies in the application of an ergonomic intervention method that allows the identification of initial ergonomic demands, as well as aspects related to the improvement of the production process, work systems and the organization as a whole. Regarding the approach to the problem, this study is characterized as qualitative and exploratory in terms of objectives. From the standpoint of technical procedures, action research was used in this study in the form of a case study. The sample used in the study was intentional non-probabilistic. The main results stand out, the application of the Short Diagnosis approach that allowed the enterprise's knowledge in a short period of time; providing insights for future projects due to the identification of points of improvement related to production and management factors; recognition of ergonomic aspects in the observed activities; improved the enterprise's internal communication, and recommendations for organizational and ergonomic projects. Considering the theoretical and practical implications, the work enriches the literature related to the application of ergonomic intervention methods, in addition to pointing out the relevance of the Short Diagnosis as a practical tool for organizations of different sizes.

Permodelan Materi Pengajaran Mata Kuliah Ergonomi pada Program Product Design Engineering

The subject of Ergonomics serves as an important part on the education for Product Design Engineering, in which it sets the fundamental understanding for future engineers over the human aspect in engineered a new product. The teaching method of Ergonomics using theoretical approach, followed by laboratory practice to simulate the approach on improving a product or system from the human point of view as user. However, in the context of Product Design Engineering that seeks an output in form of a product solution the approach used in Ergonomics teaching may not be reaching the level of prototyping that can represent a tangible solution. This paper is discussing an alternate approach of applying Project-based model for teaching Ergonomics with aim to produce an output of conceptual product to materialize the Ergonomics improvement parameters resulted from the theoretical and laboratory practice approach initially conducted from the previous approach. The adoption of Design Thinking method into the teaching plan was being introduced as a mean of allowing a direct and practical way of leading the process up to prototyping phase and thus setting up a platform for further improvement. The case study was deducted from the teaching subject of Human-Integrated Systems class by utilizing the ongoing teaching plan as the media for introducing the new approach.

ERGONOMIC DESIGN OF THE CUTTING MACHINE FOR CHOPPING CYPERACEAE PLANT

The manual cutting is still applied in the Small and Medium Industries (SMI) especially in cutting the Cyperaceae plant. One of the varieties is “Fimbristylis Globulosa (Mendong)”. This plant is used as a raw material to manufacture the handicraft. The process is commenced with chopping the plant by using a manual tool. However, the existing tool still causes some complains where 90% of users experienced discomfort and unsafe in the use. The tool is also not effective and efficient for cutting. Thus, it is significant to improve the better cutting tools. This objective of this study is to design the innovative and ergonomic cutting tools for satisfying user requirements. The survey was done to identify some discomfort. The participatory ergonomic method is applied to determine the specification of design on basis anthropometry data of users. Non-parametric statistical analysis is conducted to test the hypothesis. The results of this study show that the developed design is a valid to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and more comfort and safer at 5% of the significant levels where the proposed design specification used electric motor system and pneumatic system.

Ergonomic risk analysis of lecture chairs at the engineering faculty, Hasanuddin University

Uncomfortable college chairs will cause health problems such as low back pain, etc. In addition to health problems will also affect student productivity and enthusiasm for learning. This study will identify the risk of ergonomics from lecture chairs at the Faculty of Engineering UNHAS and also identify and provide recommendations for examples of lecture chairs that should be used. This research will use several ergonomics methods such as REBA and nordic body map. Nordic body maps are used to identify parts of the body that feel pain when sitting in a college chair, while the REBA method is used to identify ergonomic risks when sitting in a college chair. The results of identification using the Nordic Body Map method found that several parts of the student’s body were aching like the neck, back, waist, buttocks. The next research method is the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, the identification results obtained all students get a RULA 7 value which indicates changes in body posture or work facilities as soon as possible. The end of this study is the design of ergonomic lecture chairs in accordance with the wishes of students

Methods of Ergonomic Evaluation in Upper Limb: A Review in Agricultural Manual Work

Background: Into literary collections exists a great availability of kinematic models for upper limbs; e.g. for shoulder modeling, were found that the number of published articles, since 1990 to 2009, can reach 100. Aims: To describe the main ergonomic methods adopted to evaluate the upper limb in manual agricultural work and the quality of available evidence in electronic databases. Methods: A search in scientific literature made through Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ESBCO - PubMed and IEEE databases. At the same time, in systematically classified and published articles during the period 2013 to 2018, based on Delphi consensus criteria and evidences analyzed under PRISMA declaration criteria and catalogued in accordance with the approaches of physical ergonomics. Papers selection had basis on the key words: farmers, musculoskeletal, farmers' upper limb, agricultural risk factor, and occupational risk factor. Along this retrospective study, initially were found 1508 articles, where 37 of them were analyzed. All selected papers met rigor of inclusion criteria (specific farmer population without mechanical aid), and exclusion (duplicity or triplicate in databases, and intervention with clinical or medical examinations). Conclusion: Results showed that the most of evaluation techniques used are indirect: realized by self-administered questionnaires (SAQ) or self-reporting, this is an evidence of little ergonomic analysis in farmers doing manual work; most of the studies selected were catalogued as good or reasonable quality. This systematic review highlights the needing of adjusting tools in order to identify and evaluate potentially dangerous tasks by their movements and/or postures in real time.

Occupational safety of nursing personnel of a medical organization

The problem of overload and injuries of medical workers can be solved by introducing in their practice healthy-saving technologies — medical ergonomics. The lack of knowledge, skills and capacity of nurses in the application of innovative ergonomic methods of work is a problem that has been studied in the course of research.

Procedure for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders: application in underground mining works

The incidence and prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is currently one of the most important challenges facing the mining sector. This paper proposes a procedure to prevent these diseases, based on the active participation of workers. The procedure was structured in four stages: hazard identification, risk assessment, proposal of improvements, and implementation and follow-up. To support the application of the procedure, a set of ergonomic methods and tools appropriate for mining work were proposed. The main results of the application of the procedure in an underground mine in Peru are shown, demonstrating its practical value, as well as its usefulness in the improvement of working conditions and in the creation of a preventive culture. The proposed procedure is expected to serve as a reference in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in mining works.

The national health information technology human factors and ergonomics agenda

Health information technology (IT) implementation has encompassed much of the United States health care system over the past decade, and user frustration with health IT has steadily increased. Human factors and ergonomics (HFE) methods and approaches can improve the design, implementation, and use of health IT for clinicians and consumers. To better understand the effect of federal HFE in health IT research funding, the authors conducted a review of several key, specific initiatives. The review focused on the goals and accomplishments of these initiatives. Findings to date show that HFE is improving the usefulness of health IT, but additional research and new methods are needed. Corresponding research funding and policy priorities are identified. New HFE work and innovative approaches are needed to capitalize on HFE knowledge, principles, and methods to improve the design, implementation, and use of health IT at a broader scale.