AHFE Open AccessPhysical Ergonomics and Human Factors
Editors: Ravindra S. Goonetilleke, Shuping Xiong
Topics: Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors
Publication Date: 2024
ISBN: 978-1-964867-23-6
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005170
Articles
Comparing different ergonomic interventions to influence shelving practices in libraries
Since 2003, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been the second highest burden of disease in Australia. Considering that library duties often involve manual handling and repetitive tasks, in this study, ergonomic interventions were tested to improve shelving tasks in three public libraries in Queensland, Australia. An engineering intervention of raising the shelf heights was installed at one library, compared to an awareness presentation about MSDs at another. The third library implemented both interventions. The initial conditions were assessed and any changes in shelving task load and MSD-related issues through pre- and post-implementation cross-sectional surveys. After implementing the MSD risk controls, 36 observations were conducted 12 per library at three different time-points by using the Rapid Entire Body Assessments (REBA). The results revealed a significant improvement in the REBA scores two weeks after controls were implemented. However, seven weeks after the implementation, there was a lapse towards the pre-implementation baseline measurements for the library receiving only the awareness presentation, which is classified as an administrative risk control. The two libraries with the engineering intervention maintained their post-control implementation results. The findings from the surveys suggested there were no statistically different changes pre- and post-implementation. In conclusion, while all the interventions had a positive effect in the short term, the libraries that implemented engineering risk control measures experienced more long-lasting improvements.
Nerilee Watts, Nektarios Karanikas
Open Access
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Conference Proceedings
Prediction of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the Forest Sector Using Machine Learning Techniques
In this study, the effects of gender, age, total working time (years), working time in the sector (years), working time in a noisy environment (months), smoking, having a noisy hobby and inadequate use of ear protection equipment on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were evaluated in the forest sector. The study included 1477 workers, consisting of 1247 (84.4%) males and 230 (15.6%) females. The population was aged between 18 and 60. The initial phase of the study focused on comparing regression algorithms to determine if eight independent variables contribute to NIHL in workers. The multiple linear regression algorithm was deemed the most effective in this category, yielding an R2 value of 0.3079 when tested with a data size of 25%. The second phase of the study aimed to compare classification algorithms, exploring the degree of hearing loss, measured in dB, attributed to the same eight independent variables. The dependent variable for these algorithms was categorized as “NIHL present” or “NIHL absent”. The random forest algorithm emerged as the most effective classification method, yielding an accuracy of 75% when tested with a data size of 20%. The findings of this study can guide the implementation of engineering controls to reduce noise levels, administrative controls such as limiting exposure time, and the use of personal protective equipment like hearing protection devices.
Işık Doğru, Erman Çakıt
Open Access
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Characteristics of muscle activity and joint dynamics during weight lifting by isotonic elbow flexion with assistive force
[Objectives] This study focused on submaximal weightlifting (stopping at a targeted height) by elbow flexion and investigated the differences in muscle activity and joint dynamics under assisted and unassisted conditions. [Methods] Eight young adults lifted weights (equivalent to 15% of the biceps maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) by isotonic elbow flexion with and without assistive force using our originally developed impedance-controlled assistive devices. The participants lifted weights to achieve a reference target on the screen (the angular position of the wrist) and terminated the movement at the specified target stopping position. During the task, we measured the dynamics of the elbow joint movement, as well as the co-contraction index of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) using electromyography (EMG). [Results and Discussion] The rectified EMG waveforms for the BB and TB exhibited a bimodal and unimodal waveform under the assisted and unassisted conditions, respectively. Under the assisted condition, the elbow joint angle tended to overshoot the target stopping position, suggesting that additional effort was required to accurately terminate the elbow flexion. [Conclusion] It was suggested that although humans could use an assistive force to reduce the muscle load, they have unique motor control to maintain joint movement accuracy.
Satoshi Muraki, Yuan Yang, Teerapapa Luecha, Jeewon Choi, Ping Yeap Loh, Wen Liang Yeoh
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Ergonomic risk assessment of sea fishermen part V: muscle fatigue in Sardinian pot fishing
We spent two full days aboard a ship to study muscle fatigue in Sardinian lobster fishermen. We investigated three tasks: 1) to drive the wheel, 2) to drop the pots, and 3) to sail the pots. For each task, we performed several surface electromyography (sEMG) acquisitions. After a 45 – 500 Hz band filter processing, we analyzed the signals at the beginning and at the end of the task. We recorded sEMG signals from the most involved muscles for each activity according to crew information. We analyzed the Median Power Frequency (MPF) values. Literature strictly correlated an 8% MPF reduction with muscle fatigue. In the first task, MPF of Right Deltoideus Lateralis after one hour of working time decreased from 79.7Hz to 73Hz. In the second task, there was a reduction of MPF after two hours of activity in three muscles. MPF of Left Deltoideus Anterior decreased from 66.7Hz to 59Hz, MPF of Left Deltoideus Anterior from 71.4Hz to 49.8Hz, and MPF of Left Trapezius Superior from 63.8Hz to 44.8Hz. Finally, in the third task, after three hours, we observed an MPF reduction in Right Deltoideus Lateralis (78.9Hz to 60.5Hz) and Right Trapezius Superior (from 56.2Hz to 38.9). Our results showed that in all the tasks, muscle fatigue occurs after less than half a working day. Muscle fatigue leads to an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in lobster fishermen.
Alessio Silvetti, Francesco Draicchio, Adriano Papale, Giorgia Chini, Alberto Ranavolo, Tiwana Varrecchia, Elio Munafò
Open Access
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Daily Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Physiological Indicators to minimize Subjective Bias in assessing Fatigue Levels
Fatigue is a human factor that can diminish task efficiency and serve as a potential cause of safety incidents. The specific aim is to investigate the removal of subjective bias in fatigue assessment with the daily multidimensional fatigue inventory (DMFI), covering acute, cumulative, physical, and mental fatigue. Additionally, the goal is to investigate the elimination of residual subjective bias after DMFI using physiological indicators, the Psychomotor Cognition Test (PCT), salivary CRP, blood lactate, and salivary cortisol, related to each type of fatigue. The DMFI significantly classified daily fatigue into 5 levels (p<0.001). As the level of fatigue increased, the reaction time of PCT slows down, and the success rate decreased. PCT alone was not sufficient for classifying fatigue levels. However, PCT could possibly serve as a tool for data refinement, eliminating some subjective bias in self-reported fatigue levels. The levels of blood lactate showed a positive correlation with the increase in fatigue levels. Especially in groups with high levels of physical activity, the concentration of blood lactate can be utilized as a tool to eliminate subjective bias, and it was found to be useful in classifying fatigue into binary or 3 levels. Salivary CRP, representing cumulative fatigue, had some utility as a tool to track subjective bias in participants, specifically in office work where cumulative fatigue levels were relatively low. Salivary cortisol, representing mental fatigue, was found to be unsuitable as an indicator for tracking fatigue levels in mentally healthy participants. The accumulated data here will be utilized for the training of a deep learning-based fatigue level classifier.
Yongkyun Lee, Hyesu Park, Sitai Kim, Younggun Lee, Seunghoon Yoo, Sungho Kim, Choongsik Oh, Hyesik Yun, Joonghoon Ko, Jongwoo Ha, Dongsoo Kim
Open Access
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Effect of variable cordless stick vacuum weights on discomfort in different body parts during floor vacuuming task
Cordless stick vacuum cleaners designed for ease of use and maneuverability, making them a popular choice for household cleaning. Among cordless stick vacuum cleaners, two distinct styles exist: one with the center of mass (CoM) near the user's hand and another with the CoM near the brush. The popularity of upright vacuum cleaners for home use is declining in favor of lightweight cordless stick vacuum cleaners, particularly those with a center of mass (CoM) positioned close to the handle. Despite their popularity, user discomfort has emerged as a concern, particularly during extended cleaning sessions. This discomfort stems from the weight distribution and design of the vacuum cleaners, potentially leading to pain and fatigue in various body parts. This study investigates user discomfort in various body parts through qualitative questionnaires, focusing on the impact of weight and vacuuming duration of cordless stick cleaners. Twelve participants engaged in vacuuming tasks using three cordless stick vacuum cleaners weighing 5.2 lbs, 7.4 lbs, and 9.6 lbs respectively, on carpeted floors within an actual classroom setting. These sessions occurred at two durations: 5 minutes and 10 minutes. Discomfort levels were assessed across various body parts (shoulder, upper arm, lower back, forearm, wrist etc.) using a scale ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 9 (unbearable discomfort).To analyze the data ANOVA was conducted, the results of this study suggest that both vacuum weight and usage time significantly impact discomfort levels in all body parts. As the weight and time increase, participants’ discomfort significantly increases. However, the strength of these effects varies depending on the body part. For example, wrist discomfort is extremely sensitive to both weight and time, while forearm discomfort is less impacted by both factors. Additionally, the interaction between weight and time is significant in some body parts, such as the shoulder, upper arm, lower back indicating that the effect of weight varies in different duration of the task.Hence, the data underscores that during prolonged vacuuming sessions, the wrist endure the most notable discomfort in contrast to areas such as the lower back, shoulder, forearm, or upper arm. This highlights the necessity for substantial ergonomic enhancements invacuum cleaner design targeted specifically at alleviating discomfort in these critical areas.
Md Arafat Sikder, Minhazur Rahman Bhuiyan, Shirin Begum, Fagbemi Ayodeji Princewill, Yueqing Li
Open Access
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AzKCLI: a semi-automatic tool for Compositive Lifting Index (CLI) evaluation through Azure Kinect
In modern production systems, prioritizing the safety and well-being of human operator is crucial. Industry 5.0 responds to this need by giving significant importance to the Human Factor (HF) and ergonomics. Our work introduces a semi-automatic tool for Compositive Lifting Index (CLI) calculation for risk detection during multi-task manual lift jobs using the Azure Kinect depth cameras named AzKCLI. We conducted 20 simulations of industrial tasks in our laboratory with a risk assessment from both AzKCLI and expert ergonomic judgment. Additionally, we simulated three tasks taken from the paper that introduced CLI for comparative analysis. Findings reveal a strong agreement between assessments, proposing a novel semi-automatic tool that offers a more objective, economically efficient, and a rapid evaluation of multi-task manual lifting jobs, thus contributing to enhance workplace safety in the Industry 5.0 era.
Chiara Forgione, Francesco Lolli, Antonio Maria Coruzzolo, Rita Gamberini, Elia Balugani
Open Access
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Detecting High-Risk Fatigue: Tracking with Alertness and Physiological Metric Pattern
Fatigue is a recognized factor contributing to safety incidents and reduced task performance. However, classifying fatigue levels among workers in the workplace is a challenging task due to its subjective nature. This study aimed to establish universal criteria for identifying high-risk levels of fatigue. Industrial settings commonly use risk management checklists for this purpose. This study analyzed the correlation between fatigue levels and physiological indicators associated with fatigue, including alertness levels. The alertness levels were measured by the psychomotor cognition test (PCT), and the physiological indicators included salivary C-reactive protein related to cumulative fatigue, blood lactate concentration related to physical fatigue, and salivary cortisol associated with mental fatigue. Subjective fatigue levels were categorized into five levels, with Level 1 representing optimal mental and physical conditions and Level 5 indicating severe fatigue. Results showed that the mean reaction time in PCT at Level 5 significantly increased, and the success rate sharply decreased, demonstrating a significant difference compared to Levels 1 and 2 (p<0.01). Blood lactate levels were exhibited a positive correlation with fatigue levels, sharply increasing from Level 4. Blood lactate levels in Levels 4 and 5 were significantly higher than those of Levels 1 and 2 (p<0.01). Salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also showed a rapid increase from Level 4, significantly higher than those of Levels 1 and 2 (p<0.001). Salivary cortisol concentration at Level 5, however, was relatively lower compared to those of Levels 1-4. In conclusion, cumulative fatigue and high-risk levels of fatigue due to excessive workload are reflected in vigilance tests and physiological indicators. These indicators can be valuable in reducing subjective biases when assessing fatigue levels. The study suggests that profiling vigilance tests and physiological indicators associated with fatigue can be employed to screen for high-risk fatigue levels.
Yongkyun Lee, Hyesu Park, Seunghoon Yoo, Sungho Kim, Joonghoon Ko, Jongwoo Ha, Dongsoo Kim
Open Access
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Subjective feelings of physical and psychological workload among nurses in Poland – case study
The aim of this research was to present workload of nurses in Poland.Anonymous survey research was conducted among 43 Polish nurses over 2 summer months (in 2023). To check the physical load in the subjective assessment of nurses, questions were asked regarding: thermal comfort and the severity of work performed (separated by the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently).The psychological workload of nurses was examined using selected questions from the third version of the COPSOQ, taking into account psychosocial working conditions. The examined factors included: demands at work, work organization and job content, interpersonal relations and leadership and work-life conflict. The research received approval from the Research Ethics Committee KEBN-23-82-MM.The results showed that currently 40% of respondents do not feel thermal comfort when working in standard clothing. In the case of using barrier clothing (e.g. against infectious agents), 53% of respondents currently work outside their comfort zones (compared to 100% during the COVID-19 pandemic).In terms of the severity of the work performed, 56% of respondents considered their work as hard and very hard, 37% as moderate and 7% defined it as light and very light. Therefore, 60% of respondents admitted that they often or very often feel physical strain due to their work, while 35% admitted that they sometimes feel such strain.All the results, regarding the physical and psychological load, presented the current workload situation of nurses in Poland (as the examined sample). The results obtained will allow us to direct the necessary changes in the work of nurses.This paper was created (and published) on the basis of results of a research task carried out within the scope of the 6th stage of the National Programme “Governmental Programme for Improvement of Safety and Working Conditions” funded by the resources of the National Centre for Research and Development. Task no. III.PN.08 entitled “Working time in personal protective equipment (PPE) in relation to the risk of infectious agents and the heat load on the body”. The Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute is the Programme’s main co-ordinator.
Magdalena Młynarczyk, Joanna Orysiak, Magdalena Warszewska-Makuch
Open Access
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Exploring the Correlation Between Seat Backrest Angles and Motion Sickness Response in Ship Rocking Conditions
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between seasickness induced by ship motion and the angle of seat backrest, aiming to guide the redesign of ship seats to enhance passengers' comfort during voyages. With a focus on sitting posture, participants rated the severity of motion sickness symptoms under different seat backrest angles on a six-degree-of-freedom platform simulating ship motion. The relationship between seat backrest angle and motion sickness response was explored. The experimental results indicate that variations in seat backrest angle under ship motion conditions have a certain impact on participants' motion sickness response. The symptoms of motion sickness in participants are mildest when the seat backrest is tilted back approximately 22.5°, while they become significantly exacerbated when the tilt angle exceeds 45°. Additionally, there is no significant difference between males and females. This study proposes an effective measure to alleviate seasickness that is free of side effects, low-cost, and easy to implement, which could help alleviate the suffering caused by seasickness and hold significant implications for the redesign of ship seats. Moreover, it expands the possibilities for the application of industrial design in the field of ship and ocean engineering.
Wu Jinliang, Yuqian Fu, Xintong Du, Xiaoyan Ma, Wenxiu Yang
Open Access
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Ergonomic risks at work and preventive measures for waste sorting operators and garbage collectors in waste sorting company
The workers who are involved in the collection and sorting of waste are susceptible to a range of occupational hazards, such as musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory issues, physical harm. The aim of the study was to analyze ergonomic risks for waste sorting operators and garbage collectors, in one of the waste processing companies in Latvia and to develop preventive measures. The questionnaire and several ergonomic risk analysis methods were used in order to find out the opinion of workers about ergonomic strain and assess the ergonomics risks at the workplaces. Results show that waste sorting operators and garbage collectors are exposed to a range of ergonomic risks at work during work shifts. The ergonomic risk assessment methods used in the study revealed that both groups are exposed to a moderate workload with an overall risk level of III. This suggests that the occupations studied are subjected to overload at the work and preventive measures have been suggested.
Zenija Roja, Henrijs Kalkis
Open Access
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Conference Proceedings
HARI: A new approach to quantifying MSD risk factors for hands and fingers
Musculoskeletal disorders have become a significant concern for both companies and their employees, with approximately 38% of these MSD impacting the wrists and fingers in France.Despite the essential function of fingers in industrial tasks such as handling objects and assembling parts, there's currently no established ergonomic approach to assess the MSDs risk factors for these body parts.Based on the existing knowledge and theories in physiology, biomechanics, and ergonomics, coupled with technological advancements in computer vision, we propose in this work to introduce a new method to analyze biomechanical risks for the fingers and wrists. In the first part of this work, we develop a markerless approach using MediaPipe Hand Tracking Library to track the motion of the fingers and wrists over time. This library uses machine learning algorithms to detect and track fingers and wrist movements in real time, with low-latency performance.However, it’s important to note that the hand landmarks extracted from MediaPipe are presented in the world coordinates system. So, it’s essential to implement a kinematic model that respects the parent-child relationship and provides reliable joint angles. The kinematic model used in this study includes 25-degree-of-freedom, enabling calculations to be performed in accordance with the hand's functional anatomy. This approach enables us to objectively quantify postural stresses on fingers and wrists during task execution. In the second part of this work, we propose an ergonomic risk assessment method for wrists and fingers based on the type of grip set by the operator that takes into account the different biomechanical factors as well as the aggravating factors. Key factors contributing to ergonomic risk are pinpointed through a review of the existing literature and a survey conducted among diverse companies addressing this type of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) within their organizational framework. These factors include fingers/wrist posture, exertion frequency, duration per exertion, motion speed, duration per day and force for biomechanical factors. Additionally, aggravating factors like object diameter, object length, visual precision level, vibration, and temperature are all contributors to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Next, we establish distinct risk levels and set thresholds for each identified risk factor. Evaluators assign ratings to individual variables based on measured or observed exposure data ; then, a multiplier value is assigned to each variable based on existing knowledge and theories across various fields. Using the identified multipliers, the final global score is calculated and interpreted based on the obtained value.A software tool has been developed to automatically process the Hari method with automatic posture assessment. This paper proposes a framework for ergonomic risk assessment by developing a scoring system divided into three levels: red, orange, and green. The proposed scoring system makes it easy for the decision makers to determine whether a given ergonomic risk on fingers and wrists needs to be mitigated or not.A possible extension of this work involves conducting an experimental study to validate the method with occupational safety and health specialists. It is also possible to add functions for automatic calculation of gesture frequency using machine learning algorithms, as well as automatic detection and recognition of the hand-grip gesture.
Olfa Haj Mahmoud, Anthony Ribot
Open Access
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Ergonomic Work Environment Risks for Diesel Locomotive Drivers in Latvia and Health Promotion Measures
In Latvia, the rail transport sector plays an important role in the national economy. Rail transport sector work is provided by different people who work in different professions, including diesel locomotive drivers. The aim of this research was to study and analyze ergonomic risks for drivers of diesel locomotives and develop health promotion measures. Such methods were selected for the research: questionnaire of the workers (Total 116 employees), key indicator method for analysis of manual handling operations, Quick Exposure Check and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment for assessing the load on different body parts. The ergonomic evaluation has determined that the diesel locomotive drivers are subjected to a risk level III concerning strain on their wrists and hands, while their shoulders and arms are at a risk level II. According to the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, the final evaluation of the strain on the workers’ hands is categorized as high. The study concludes that diesel locomotive operators face substantial ergonomic risks in their work environment. The ergonomic risk assessment methodologies utilized in the study indicate that these operators are subjected to considerable strain, particularly on their wrists, neck, and shoulders, which is overall classified as risk level III. Hence the use of a combination of several ergonomic risk assessment methods is essential to come up with more precise results.
Diana Madelane, Henrijs Kalkis, Zenija Roja
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Ergonomic risk reduction in picking activities: evaluation of an active exoskeleton through Azure Kinect
Reducing the ergonomic risk involved in picking activities is fundamental to ensure the health of the workers by minimizing the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Recently exoskeletons have been introduced to support workers and reduce the overload. In this paper exploiting a depth camera we evaluated the risk involved in picking activities with and without the support of an active exoskeleton. For the scope 5 different subjects performed 42 lifting actions with and without the active exoskeleton for a total of 420 total lifts. The task was to reproduce a real logistical scenario of palletizing boxes in the laboratory. The lifting actions were recorded in a laboratory setting with the Azure Kinect depth camera benchmarking the posture with and without the active exoskeleton. For the risk assessment we exploited a tool based on the Azure Kinect to automatically calculate the NIOSH lifting equation named AzKNIOSH. Results statistically demonstrated that the exoskeleton does not affect the posture during the lift while it has a beneficial effect on the lifting index considering a decreased load weight.
Antonio Maria Coruzzolo, Chiara Forgione, Christian Di Natali, Francesco Lolli
Open Access
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Developing anthropometrics competency-based learning with a simplified CAD model of a person
In today's competitive markets, companies must prioritize user needs to ensure the preference and recommendation of their products. This paper explores the evolution of product development from Raymond Loewy's era to modern times, emphasizing the crucial role of ergonomic factors for both end users and labor workers. Today, as we navigate highly competitive markets, the preference and recommendation of a company's products over competitors' offerings lie in the hands of discerning consumers. The journey from pioneers era to the present has witnessed a paradigm shift, where the development of materials, aesthetics, and, most critically, human factors, has become instrumental not only for end-users but also for the well-being of labor workers.Modern engineers face the challenge of considering not only customer desires but also essential human factors that impact product usability and overall user experience. Human factors, encompassing physiological, psychological, cognitive, and organizational aspects, have become pivotal in product design since the industrial era. Ergonomics and anthropometrics play a key role in physical product and workstation design, influencing comfort, safety, and long-term health. The importance of realize and connect with reality how software can not only simplify the task but also help to develop better models and prototypes considering design aspects and developing a systematical thinking is relevant for the activity developed at class and the one we discuss.This study emphasizes the significance of incorporating these factors into the design process, employing a human-centered design approach. Through the use of some Computer-Aided Design models requiring the adaptation of the team's measurements, this paper emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in mechatronic engineering education. By integrating anthropometric design activities in their undergraduate junior year, students can develop a deeper understanding of human factors, contributing to their preparedness for the dynamic challenges of the industry. This approach not only enhances students' academic journey but also fosters a systematic design mindset, prompting reflection on the 'why' of design creation alongside the 'how.'To validate the results, students filled-up an entry and an exit survey in a Likert-Scale. This survey focused on the understanding and empowerment of human factors in product design. Looking at the data we identified that while most students marked a higher empowerment in relation to the entry survey, some of them indicated a lower value possibly due to the fact that they realized that accounting for human factors is more complicated than what they originally thought. Academically, new generations of students would benefit from these practices where they would be able to connect with the principal requirements for product, service or system design that are in their immediate environment and from where they could obtain the principal insights assists by accurate software. Professionally, future professionals and the industry will complement each other to work together and make the better for the human needs in an industry that is constantly growing and that needs to consider every aspect of human life; therefore the use and development of anthropometric aspects would be consider as a medullar part of human centered design and how design and engineering converse in an universe where both are disciplines that can converge in and out a classroom. From exercises like the one presented here our graduates will be adept in the agile management of multidisciplinary projects, showcasing their versatility and capacity to navigate the complexities inherent in collaborative endeavors.
Yuliana Tónix Cuahutle, Donovan Esqueda Merino, Ricardo Jaramillo Godinez, Hector Rafael Morano Okuno, Luis Enrique Villagómez Guerrero, Oliver Gómez Meneses
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The Effectiveness of soft brace with pneumatic muscles on posture alignment for subjects with postural kyphosis: pilot study
Kyphosis refers to an abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the spine. Among the various types of kyphosis, postural kyphosis, also known as postural roundback, is the most prevalent. The condition arises from poor posture habits, such as slouching, leaning back in chairs and carrying heavy school bags, established during childhood, gradually weakening the muscles and soft tissues of the back. Over time, postural kyphosis can progress, resulting in a chronic deformity and persistent back pain. It typically becomes evident during adolescence, particularly in females. These effects can significantly impact the quality of life for individuals afflicted by the condition, both during their adolescent years and into adulthood. Among the treatment options available, bracing is frequently employed to prevent the progression of the deformity and facilitate correction. The Milwaukee brace, in particular, has been proven as an effective brace for subjects with postural kyphosis. However, one of the challenges associated with its use is wearer discomfort, which can contribute to reduced compliance and treatment efficacy. In this study, a soft textile brace with lightweight pneumatic paddings specifically designed for correcting the posture of individuals with postural kyphosis was developed. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this new brace, subjects with the condition was recruited to participate in a wear trial. During the trial, head and shoulder posture were assessed including coronal head tilt angle, coronal shoulder angle, sagittal head tilt angle, craniovertebral angle and sagittal shoulder angle. The results revealed significant improvements in sagittal shoulder angle, the subjects wearing the pneumatic padding brace, compared to those without any bracing. These findings suggest that the newly developed brace holds promise for effectively managing postural kyphosis, as it demonstrated positive effects on improving rounded shoulder. By providing more comfort and potentially improving compliance, this brace offers a potential solution to enhance the overall treatment experience for individuals with postural kyphosis.
Shuk Fan Tong, Disheng Xie, Hsuan-yu Lu, Dezhi Liang, Zhongping Ye, Kun Zhu, Kai-yu Tong
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Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Construction Workers
Construction is a physically demanding process, and its activities entail exposure to a range of health and safety (H&S) and ergonomics hazards and risks. Given the persistence of H&S and ergonomics hazards and risks, a quantitative study was conducted to interrogate the related issues and evolve a response. The quantitative study included members of the Association of Construction Health and Safety Management (ACHASM) who completed a self-administered questionnaire delivered per e-mail. The findings indicate: workers are exposed to ergonomic hazards and risks, which leads to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); workers do report incidents; not all stakeholders are likely to be committed to H&S, and seven construction management factors impact H&S and ergonomics. Conclusions include: design hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) and construction HIRA is ineffective; exposure to ergonomic hazards and risks results in MSDs; workers do not fear losing their jobs due to reporting incidents; construction H&S is not receiving the necessary and potential multi-stakeholder support, and contractors are not adequately resourcing H&S and ergonomics. Recommendations include: multi-stakeholder commitment to and support for H&S and ergonomics should be engendered commencing the client brief; designers should consider the impact of design, details, and specifications on construction H&S and ergonomics during the construction process and subsequent maintenance; contractors should adequately resource H&S and ergonomics at tender stage, and ensure that the requisite H&S systems, procedures, and protocols are implemented when construction commences, and workers should be empowered through HIRA training, and participation in H&S processes.
Simamnkele Ngxesha, Claire Deacon, John Smallwood
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