Evaluation of working posture using the Xsens inertial system in production in accordance with Czech legislation

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant health and economic problem in the workplace, especially in industrial production involving a high proportion of repetitive upper limb movements. However, existing assessments of working postures based on observation and manual recording are often subjective and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to verify the usability of the Xsens inertial measurement system for the objective assessment of upper body working positions in real production line conditions and to assess its compatibility with the requirements of Czech legislation, specifically Government Regulation No. 361/2007 Coll. The data obtained on the joint angles of the arms, spine, and head were subsequently processed in MATLAB and converted to time exposures per shift. The results showed that the hygienic limits for working positions were not exceeded in most of the segments evaluated. For the upper limbs, a significant predominance of time spent in an acceptable arm position (<40°) was recorded, specifically 136 minutes for the right upper limb and 128 minutes for the left upper limb during a work shift. At the same time, it was found that evaluating the head based solely on flexion does not provide a sufficiently comprehensive picture of the actual load on the cervical spine, as lateral tilts, rotations, and extensions also occur during work activities. The study confirms that inertial measurement systems are a suitable tool for refining ergonomic assessment and can serve as an effective supplement to existing legislative and observational methods.

Keywords: Ergonomisc Risk Assessment, Xsens, Working Posture, Joint Angles, Czech Legislation

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007915