Ergonomic Risk Factors Research Articles

Ergonominių rizikos veiksnių tyrimo metodų apžvalga ir jų taikymo Lietuvos statybos industrijoje ypatumai

Lietuvoje nėra didelės ergonominių rizikos veiksnių vertinimo metodų taikymo praktikos, ji tik kuriama. Šios srities specialistų ir tiriamųjų darbų nėra daug, todėl tai ypač aktualu. Tyrimas atliktas naudojant aprašomąjį ir anketinės apklausos metodą, o rezultatai apdoroti statistiniais metodais. Nustatyta, kad dažniausiai taikyti metodai yra: REBA ir RULA, anketiniai tyrimai, LST EN 1005-2, LST EN 1005-4, LST EN 1005-5, fizinio darbo intensyvumo tyrimas taikant Brouha ir Rohmerto kriterijus, MAC, NIOSH-KRS, OCRA (OCRA rodiklis, OCRA patikros lapas). Galima daryti išvadą, kad REBA ir RULA metodai yra dažniausiai naudojami, nes lengvai pritaikomi, gaunamas konkretus balas ir pateikiamos gautų balų vertės. Taikant kitus metodus, sugaištama daugiau laiko, reikia atlikti daugiau matavimų, tyrėjui paliekama didesnė laisvė interpretuoti.

A Literature Review of Ergonomics Risk Factors in Construction Industry

The purpose of this paper is to overview the ergonomics risk factors in construction industry. The objective is to give a basic introduction and clear definition of ergonomic. The study will include the ergonomics risk factors in relation of human and their nature of work. Based on the literature, the most significant ergonomics risk factors are awkward posture in handling job task, force and repetition of specific movement including vibration. Other ergonomics risk factor includes uncomfortable static position, contact stress of muscles and tendon and also extreme temperature condition. This study will enhance the awareness of the risk factors which may occur in the construction industry.

Ergonomic Risk Controls in Construction Industry- A Literature Review

This paper overview the ergonomics risk control in construction industry. The objective is to give a basic introduction of ergonomic in construction industry and risk controls in relation to minimize the ergonomics risk factors. The study will highlight five (5) significant ergonomics risk controls. Better communication and management control will enhance ergonomics implementation in the workplace. It is followed by the appropriate ergonomics design, organization training and education. Written ergonomics program statement which outlines the goals and plans for the organization ergonomic program are also essential in order to reduce the ergonomics risk factors.

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and the Ergonomic Risk Factors among Oriental Melon-growing Farmers

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and the Ergonomic Risk Factors among Oriental Melon-growing Farmers

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office work: A case study

Twelve recently built office work stations, where jobs imply continued use of information and communication technologies, were analyzed for ergonomic risk factors. Based on a literature review of ergonomic recommendations for computer and general office work, a checklist was devised for assistance in identifying inadequate ergonomic situations, a process that was informed by pain complaints information. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) was selected to estimate the risk of MSDs, considering the criteria of applicability and appropriateness to the case studied. This method was applied by an occupational health and safety technician to the most critical job observed in the workplace. Criticality was estimated through observations aided by the systematic use of a checklist tailored to the specific office scenario. Recommendations for change were provided for implementation in all workplaces in the office, in order to improve work conditions, and guide the setup of a MSD prevention training program.

건설업에서 발생하는 근골격계질환 위험요인의 작업자 자가 평가용 체크리스트 개발

In this study, a self-administered checklist for evaluation of the musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in construction industry was developed, and its reliability and validity were studied. 10 items of the checklist were determined based on the literature review, and total 2,793 construction workers participated in the analysis of the checklist's applicability. The results from the reliability analysis showed high Cohen's kappa coefficient (0.50~0.77), and high validity was also obtained in terms of relative risk (RR 1.73~9.14). Positive predictability was relatively low (13.0~32.5%), while negative predictability was high (80.1~96.8%). It can be concluded that the checklist would be suitable as a quick filtering tool of the ergonomic risk factors.

Upper Body Quadrant Pain in Bus Drivers

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of upper body quadrant pain among Israeli professional urban bus drivers and to evaluate the association between individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial risk factors and occurrence of neck pain. Three hundred and eighty-four male urban bus drivers were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data pertaining to work-related ergonomic and psychosocial stress factors were collected. The 12-month prevalence of neck pain was 21.2%, followed by shoulder: 14.7%, upper back: 8.3%, elbow: 3.0%, and wrist: 3.0% pain. Prevalence of neck pain was associated with uncomfortable seats (odds ratio; OR [95% confidence interval; CI]: 2.2 [1.2–4.3], back support (2.3 [1.2–4.2]), and steering wheel (2.2 [1.1–4.5]). Drivers with neck pain reported significantly higher prevalence of pain in the upper back (OR [95% CI]: 5.9 [2.7–12.9]), shoulders (8.1 [4.3–15.3]), and wrists (7.0 [2.0–21.8]) compared to drivers without neck pain. Work-related organizational stress factors were not associated with neck pain prevalence.

An assessment of occupational hazards and ergonomics risk factors on young male workers in Malaysia

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are one of the occupational safety and health problems reported at the Driveshaft Assembly Line of an automotive manufacturer. During the study session, more than 20...

Risk Assessment and Application of Engineering Controls to Reduce the Number of Occupational Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Large Pharmaceutical Production Facility

The high number of discomfort and lost work time cases in one department of a large pharmaceutical production facility, created a unique opportunity for ergonomics study and intervention. The first step in the project identified the three highest risk tasks using safety incident data. Each task was analyzed for ergonomics risk factors. Interventions were developed and implemented for these tasks. Biomechanical and subjective data were collected before and after all interventions to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Three-dimensional dynamic flexion of the lower back data were collected using a Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM). Electrogoniometers were used to measure wrist flexion. We used a force gauge, scale, and a tape measure to assess moments, forces, and weight. Subjective data were collected by questionnaire. A quantitative comparison of the subjective and electronic data showed reduced risk factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) of the wrist and back for all three tasks. All the interventions were shown by empirical methods to reduce the risk factors for WMSDs. The interventions were permanently implemented.

직업성 근골격계질환의 발생 현황과 특성

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders currently account for the largest proportion of the occupational illnesses in Korea. In this research, status of musculoskeletal disorders among the occupational illnesses was examined through workers' compensation claims data. Types and characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders were looked at other data set as well. The data sets included epidemiological investigation data reported by Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, and data collected from occupational disease surveillance reports and Korean occupational health-related scientific journals. Number of cases, incidence rate and insurance benefits for occupational musculoskeletal disorders in Korea are increasing every year. In addition, musculoskeletal disorders occurrence is shifted from large enterprises group to small-and-medium group, from manufacturing to service sector, and from production workers to office and professional workers. Although low back pain is still most common, its occurrence characteristics is gradually shifted from traumatic to cumulative while musculoskeletal disorders are somewhat seemingly moved from lumbar to upper limb body part. Musculoskeletal disorders were observed to be more diverse and prevalent in epidemiological investigations or surveillance data rather in workers' compensation claims data. Musculoskeletal disorders occurrence is related to demographic factors, occupational psychosocial factors, and ergonomic risk factors at workplace for which appropriate preventive measures needed to be made accordingly.

Ergonomic Risks and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Production Agriculture: Recommendations for Effective Research to Practice

ABSTRACT Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are increasingly recognized as a significant hazard of agricultural occupation. In agricultural jobs with significant physical labor, MSDs are typically the most frequently reported injury. Although not as lethal as tractor roll-overs, MSDs can result in disability, lost work time, and increased production costs. MSDs increase production costs as a result of worker absence, medical and insurance costs, decreased work capacity, and loss of employees to turnover and competition from other less physically demanding industries. This paper will provide an overview of what is currently known about MSDs in agriculture, including high-risk commodities, tasks and work practices, and the related regulatory factors and workers' compensation costs. As agricultural production practices evolve, the types of MSDs also change, as do ergonomic risk factors. One example is the previous higher rates of knee and hip arthritis identified in farmers in stanchion dairies evolving into upper extremity tendonitis, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome now found in milking technicians in dairy milking parlors. This paper summarizes the presentation, “Musculoskeletal Disorders in Labor-Intensive Operations,” at the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” January 27–28, 2010, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The primary focus of the paper is to address current research on ergonomic solutions for MSDs in agriculture. These include improved tools, carts or equipment, as well as work practices. One of the key challenges in this area pertains to measurement, due to the fact that musculoskeletal strain is a chronic condition that can come and go, with self-reported pain as its only indicator. Alternative measurement methods will be discussed. Finally, the implementation of research into practice is reviewed, with an emphasis on best practices that have been demonstrated to be effective in the agricultural setting, based on worker acceptance and comfort, improved productivity, and decreased MSDs. The paper will provide an overview for agricultural stakeholders as to the current science and practice of ergonomics in agriculture.

인간공학적 작업개선을 위한 농업인 안전 기술 동향 연구

A high prevalence of farmer's work-related musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) have been reported in precedent studies. Risk factors - physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic risk factor etc. - in farm-work were identified by previous studies. To prevent farmers from exposing to them and reduce, Agricultural Safety Technology were introduced and used on farm. The purpose of this study is to review and summarize the agricultural safety technology on farm in Korea. According to strategy principles, this technology is classified as four criteria - workload reduction by reducing awkward posture, workload reduction by using manual material handling aids, Comfort improvement by protecting worker from hot, cold environment and work efficiency improvement by workplace redesign and cultivation modification. This technology includes transporting tools, working cloth, personal protective equipment, and pesticide-proof Clothing. Anthropometric study of Korean farmers was also carried out to support the development of equipment and clothes. In long terms, it needs to precaution activity from risk factors by using cultivation modification and working improvement. Although working condition gets better and workload reduce by this technology, it required customized safety technology in each crops - rice cultivation, horticulture and livestock farming. And farmers should use the assistive technology and participate voluntarily in ergonomic intervention program.

The effects of force and exertion duration on duty cycle time: Implications for productivity

Ergonomics has positive effects on both physical health and productivity, but estimating productivity benefits is difficult at the task design/redesign stage. Rest-allowance prediction models are not suitable for repetitive, short-cycle dynamic tasks, and methods–time measurement (MTM) techniques are limited in their suitability for considering ergonomics risk factors such as posture and force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between force and exertion duration on self-selected duty cycle time and discomfort. Twenty-one participants completed repetitive, upper-limb exertion treatments, each of a 10-minute duration. Five levels of force (10, 20, 40, 65, and 80% maximum voluntary contraction [MVC]) and exertion period (1, 2, 4, 6.5, and 8 seconds) were investigated. The psychophysical adjustment method was used whereby participants self-selected a work pace for the second half of each treatment. Duty cycle, derived from the self-paced cycle time, was the measure of productivity effects in the experiment. Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect on duty cycle time for force, exertion period, and their interaction (each p < 0.0001). Friedman's test indicated a significant effect of force (p < 0.0001) and exertion period (p < 0.0001) on discomfort. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a strong correlation between discomfort and duty cycle time (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis was used to develop a predictive model for duty cycle time based on force and exertion period, and this was a good fit to the data (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.05). Profiles were generated presenting zones of acceptable self-selected duty cycle times based on force and exertion duration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

어업인의 업무관련성 손상 및 질병에 관한 고찰

There are many work-related injuries and diseases of fisheries in Korea. Fishermen have exposed to harmful environment, such as natural disasters, ultraviolet, noise, vibration, organic solvents, ergonomic risk factors, loss of fresh water and food, and psychologic stress. They have suffered from numerous work-related health problems, including musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, pyschological diseases, decompression sickness, and so on. Sea accidents can cause deaths of fishermen and if sea pollution is occurred, fishermen have a great economic damage. However, the concern of these injuries and diseases has been little because they are small in number and have decreased. Fisheries are important core industries, so the problems of fisheries have to be solved by a government. But work-related injuries and diseases are not investigated properly and accurate diagnoses are not made due to loss of concern. We hope that this article will be a cornerstone to solving the work-related problems of fisheries.

Ergonomics and occupational safety and health: An ILO perspective

The ILO has a mandate to protect workers against sickness, diseases and injuries due to workplace hazards and risks including ergonomic and work organization risk factors. One of the main functions for the ILO is to develop international standards related to labour and work. ILO standards have exerted considerable influence on the laws and regulations of member States. The ILO standards take the form of international Conventions and Recommendations. ILO Conventions and Recommendations relevant to protection of workers against ergonomic risk factors at the workplace include Convention No. 127 and Recommendation No.128 which specify the international requirements concerning the manual transport of a load. To help member States in applying the ILO standards, the ILO produces practical guides and training manuals on ergonomics at work and collects and analyses national practices and laws on ergonomics at the workplace. The ILO also conducts technical cooperation activities in many countries on ergonomics to support and strengthen the capacities of its tripartite constituents in dealing with workplace ergonomic and work organization risks. The ILO’s technical cooperation activities give priorities on the promotion of voluntary, participatory and action-oriented actions to improve working conditions and work organizations of the small and medium sized enterprises. This paper reviews ILO’s policies and activities on ergonomics in relation to occupational safety and health and prescribes ILO’s considerations for its future work on ergonomics.

Quantification of scan-specific ergonomic risk-factors in medical sonography

Medical sonographers are known to be at an increased risk of developing occupationally related musculoskeletal pain or injury. However, scan-specific, on-site ergonomic job evaluations which also include a quantitative analysis of upper extremity joint biomechanics are not the norm. The objective of the study is to identify and quantify scan-specific risk-factors for upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal pain in sonography. Seven subjects participated in the study which used a combination of self-reported and measured job analyses to specifically address risk-factors related to diagnostic medical sonography. 86% of sonographers reported upper extremity musculoskeletal pain. Ergonomic evaluation revealed that changes should be made soon. Shoulder abduction and wrist deviation angles were quantified and found to be greater than previously published acceptable limits. Relevance to Industry Although all the investigated scans involve injury risk, the specific risk-factors and their relative importance varies between scan types. The scan-specific risk-factors must be considered when determining the risk of musculoskeletal pain and in designing interventions to prevent or reduce the incidence of injury among sonographers.

Evaluating ergonomic risk factors in non-regulated stone carving units of Jaipur

Stone carving at Jaipur in Rajasthan state of India, is a traditional craft employing a large number of local youths. As an unorganized sector problems are many ranging from lack of benefits to occupational ergonomic issues of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders(WMSDs) and injury to body parts. Twenty five male workers were selected in each of the three sections of a stone carving unit. The focus was to identify different ergonomic risk factors associated in this profession from the field. Still photography and video photography was used to record different activities. Different types of non invasive tools like Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Occupational Repetitive Action Index (OCRA) were used. Psychophysical measures were investigated by Body part discomfort map, rated perceived exertion scale and visual analogue scale. Objective measurements (heart arte and skin temperature) were recorded with stop watch and digital thermometer. The working heart rate after 30 minutes of work was 112.4 beats per minute categorizing the work as moderately heavy. Postural analysis by REBA indicated high score (13/13). Similarly postural analysis by RULA showed high score (7/7). These indicate vulnerability of many of the postures to musculoskeletal disorders and injury. The study indicates that majority of the activities are in the high risk category and demands immediate ergonomic intervention in the form of tool, workstation and process design. This could be done by involving different Non Government Organizations (NGOs), political parties, and the Human Rights Department both at the center and at the state level.

Evaluation of Two Ergonomics Intervention Programs in Reducing Ergonomic Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorder among School Children

An intervention study was done from February 2009 until August 2009 with the objective of investigating the effectiveness of two ergonomics intervention programs in reducing ergonomic risk factors among 229 school children in 2nd Grade (8 years) and 5th Grade (age 11 years) in three schools. Group 1 (G1) assigned to one school, which implemented the ergonomically design furniture in their class (among 2nd and 5th grade students), Group 2 (G2) from other school implemented ergonomics program with intensive health promotion towards ergonomics awareness consisted with exercising and education to reduced MSD, while Group 3 (G3) from another school selected as Control Group (Cx). Musculoskeletal symptoms were recorded using modified nordiq body map questionnaires. Modified Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the awkward posture of the school children. Ergonomics awareness test performed namely Ergonomics Quiz (EQ) to evaluate the awareness level before and after ergonomic intervention programs. Tanita weigth measurement was used to measure school bag weight and student's weight. Weight of the bag, RULA score and EQ were used as main indicator to analyze the effectiveness of the program tp reduce ergonomic risks. A significant reduction of RULA score among sub-sample students and mean bag weight observed among G1<G2 and Cx indicate the ergonomic risk were reduce accordingly. Higher EQ score recorded among G1 students compared to G2 and Cx but the result were insignificant. The implementation of ergonomically design furniture in classroom able to reduce risk and reported MSD symptoms.

The Association between Ergonomic Risk Factors, RULA Score, and Musculoskeletal Pain among School Children: A Preliminary Result

A study was done to investigate the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) among school childrenin Malaysia. Two schools in the Klang Valley and one in Johor Bahru were selected. A cross sectional study was donebaginning February 2009 until May 2009. Two hundred and twenty nine pupils among 2nd Grade (age 8 years) and 5thGrade (age 11 years) from three school were selected to participate in this study. Musculoskeletal symptoms wererecorded using Modified Nordiq Body Map Questionnaires; Tanita weight measurement was used to measure schoolbag weight and students’ weight. Modified Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the awkwardposture of the students’ torso namely bending forward movement, leaning, sitting and twisting. A high prevalence ofMSD among school children aged 11 years old (5th grade) was found (68.0%) compared to 8 years old (2nd grade) with36.4%. Result also showed that 31.8% of 2nd grade and 62.2% of 5th grade students experience upper MSD. LowerMSD complains showed 5th grade students are at higher percentage than 2nd grade with 45.5% and 20.9% respectively.Logistic regression analysis controlling for body mass index, sport injuries and history of major accidents revealed thatthe following factors were related to MSD: home activities (involving television (TV) watching and personal computer(PC) used) [1.889, 95% CI 1.081 – 3.301] and bag perception complain among school children [2.148, 95% CI 1.086 –4.247]. For specific MSD symptoms it was found that the duration of home activities using PC or TV exceeding 2 hourswas the main the risk factor of upper MSD among school children [4.923, 95% CI 1.188-20.389]. In conclusion,combination of risks leads to high increase of MSD among school children in Malaysia.

Inter-rater reliability of PATH observations for assessment of ergonomic risk factors in hospital work

This study examined the inter-rater reliability of expert observations of ergonomic risk factors by four analysts. Ten jobs were observed at a hospital using a newly expanded version of the PATH method (Buchholz et al. 1996), to which selected upper extremity exposures had been added. Two of the four raters simultaneously observed each worker onsite for a total of 443 observation pairs containing 18 categorical exposure items each. For most exposure items, kappa coefficients were 0.4 or higher. For some items, agreement was higher both for the jobs with less rapid hand activity and for the analysts with a higher level of ergonomic job analysis experience. These upper extremity exposures could be characterised reliably with real-time observation, given adequate experience and training of the observers. The revised version of PATH is applicable to the analysis of jobs where upper extremity musculoskeletal strain is of concern.