| 1. |
- Lind, Carl Mikael, et al.
(författare)
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Development and evaluation of RAMP II - a practitioner’s tool for assessing musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in industrial manual handling
- 2020
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Ingår i: Ergonomics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0014-0139 .- 1366-5847. ; 63:4, s. 477-504
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- RAMP II is an observation-based tool developed for assessing a wide range of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors related to industrial manual handling. RAMP II, which is part of the RAMP tool, is based on research studies and expert judgments. The assessment relies mainly on direct or video observations of the work being assessed, but additionally on measured push/pull forces and weights of handled objects, and on perceived workload and discomfort. Over 80 practitioners participated in the development of the tool. According to the evaluations, 73% of the assessment items evaluated had acceptable reliability, and the majority of the potential end-users reported that RAMP II is usable for assessing risks and as a decision base. It is concluded that this study provides support that RAMP II is usable for risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in industrial manual handling. Practitioner summary: RAMP II is an observation-based assessment tool for screening and assessing major musculoskeletal exposures in industrial manual handling jobs. Over 80 practitioners participated in the development of the tool. This study provides support that RAMP II is usable for risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in industrial manual handling. Abbreviations: CTS: carpal tunnel syndrome; HARM: the Hand Arm Risk Assessment method; IMP: intramuscular pressure; κw: linearly weighted kappa; LBD: lower back disorders; LBP: lower back pain; MAWL: maximum acceptable weight of lift; MHO: manual handling operations; MSD: musculoskeletal disorder; MNSD: neck-shoulder disorder; NSP: neck-shoulder pain; OCRA: the Occupational Repetitive Action methods; OHS: occupational health and safety; PABAK: prevalence and bias adjusted kappa; p0: proportion of agreement; RAMP: Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively; ROM: range of motion; RPL: risk and priority level; RSI: the Revised Strain Index; RULA: the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment; SWEA: Swedish Work Environment Authority; UEMSDs: upper-extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders; WMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorder; WRMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorder; workday8h: eight hours workday.
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| 2. |
- Cyrén, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Task Specific Exposure Information as a Basis for Production System Design
- 1998
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This publication was written during a period of time when the authors were engaged in an extensive research programme financed by the National Institute for Working Life in Solna (Cooperative for Optimisation of industrial production systems regarding Productivity and Ergonomics COPE).
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| 3. |
- Fan, Xuelong, et al.
(författare)
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Ergonomic Evaluation of a Prototype Console for Robotic Surgeries via Simulations with Digital Human Manikins
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) Volume V: Human Simulation and Virtual Environments, Work With Computing Systems (WWCS), Process Control. - Cham : Springer International Publishing. - 2194-5365 .- 2194-5357. - 9783319960760 ; 822, s. 351-363
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders impact surgical performance, which increase risks for patient safety. A new console has been designed to reduce workload for robotic surgery surgeons. Due to high costs and long waiting time of the production process, a pre-production ergonomic evaluation of the new design is preferable. In this paper, we evaluate if the new console at the pre-production stage by using an US checklist, and the Swedish standard for visual display unit work. A 3D model of the new designed console was introduced to the virtual environment of a digital manikin (Intelligently Moving Manikin, IMMA). The work-ranges of the console were calculated. Various individual work distances of 12 manikins (3 men and 3 women per each of the US and the Swedish population) were “measured”. The data were integrated and used as an objective reference to compare with the Swedish standard, and the US checklist. The result shows that the criteria in the Swedish standard and the US checklist are fulfilled, except for those are related to the adjustable range of the screen view height, the height range of the armrest and the adjustable distance of the pedals. The new console fulfills most of the criteria in the checklist and the standard, but there is room for a few improvements. The DHM tool IMMA provides the possibility for a pre-production assessment. However, the limited virtual measurement tools of IMMA restrained the time efficiency of the ergonomic assessment.
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| 4. |
- Forsman, Mikael, 1963, et al.
(författare)
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A Method for Evaluation of Manual Work Using Synchronised Video Recordings and Physiological Measurements
- 2002
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 33:6, s. 533 - 540
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This is an example how of our research and development work regarding a self-developed method to synchronise a video recorder and a personal computer was refined further. Which in turn gave birth to an extensive register of video-registration that still are saved at Chalmers University of Technology (this register’s existence has not been resolved after Engström’s retirement). This method in question has more or less been nicked by other scientists, which who we have cooperated at Lindholmen Utveckling in Gothenburg. Who has constructed a digitalised version of this method, our own equipment comprised usage of VHS-tapes (see other publication registered in Chalmers Public Library CPL). Later on refined further with regard to specific psychological aspects (i.e. the registered operator/subjects were thereby able to self-evaluate the recordings by interactions).
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| 5. |
- Forsman, Mikael, 1963
(författare)
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Applications of Magnetic Tracers in the Human Lung and Gastrointestinal Tract
- 1995
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The use of ferrimagnetic material as a tracer represents a noninvasive approach in physiological measurements. Concerning the lung, magnetopneumography, MPG, is a unique technique to estimate retained dust in the lung, using the magnetizable dust fraction as a tracer. First a strong constant magnetic field is briefly applied to the thorax. After the field has been removed, the weak remanent field of the magnetized particles is measured outside the body. The sampled data include information not only about the amount and distribution, but also about the random rotation, of the tracer- particles. In the present work, the MPG method was used in vivo, and developed through model studies toward improved accuracy. Furthermore, applications of the MPG principle (and instrument) in the field of gastrointestinal motility were developed and evaluated. Such applications may constitute future alternatives to clinically established radiological methods, especially for subjects for whom radiation is of particular concern. Previous investigations have shown large inter-individual variations of lung dust retention among arc welders with similar fume exposure history. Here, repeated MPG measurements were used to monitor the retention build-up in a group of eight, previously unexposed, trainees during a welding course. Already after 30 days of exposure there were inter-individual differences in estimated retention of more than a factor of two. A first-order retention model was suggested, including estimated individual dust exposure profiles. The inverse problem of finding the amount and distribution of the source of a measured magnetic field has no unique solution. Anatomical differences of lung and chest shapes are important sources of error when total amounts of lung dust are estimated and inter-individual variations are studied. Multipole analysis involves estimation of a number of coefficients in a truncated sum; one of these represents the total dipole moment, which is proportional to the total amount of dust. In comparison, the commonly used mean value method showed much larger bias error than the multipole methods. Multipole orders up to and including octupoles were needed to describe the field from a magnetized thorax. This model is well suited when measuring total dust load in subjects where dust translocation is of concern, e.g. in studies of human lung dust clearance. Gastric emptying measurements were carried out magnetically on 16 healthy male volunteers. The early part of the mean emptying curve decreased slightly faster than the curve of a corresponding previous scintigraphic study. Rotations (due to intraluminal movements) were studied by measuring the field decay outside the abdomen after magnetization. After a low activity phase of almost linear flux density decay, the mean rotation gradually increased, and the decay became bi-exponential. Moreover, by measuring field maps repeatedly after ingestion, the transit of a swallowed small permanent magnet was followed through the gut. It is concluded that measurements of magnetic fields from ferrimagnetic tracers prove a valuable and promising tool in estimations of retained dust in the lungs, as well as in studies of gastric motility.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Forsman, Mikael, 1963, et al.
(författare)
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Motor unit recruitment in the trapezius muscle with special reference to coarse arm movements.
- 2001
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Ingår i: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology. - 1050-6411 .- 1873-5711. ; 11:3, s. 207-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chronic shoulder pain is common in a variety of occupations. The "Cinderella hypothesis" suggests that the pain originates from damaged type I muscle fibres driven into degenerative processes as a result of too long activation and too short recovery time. The main purpose of this study was to investigate if the same motor units are active during all phases of coarse arm movements. Eight healthy volunteers participated in the study. Intramuscular electromyographic signals were picked up with a four-lead fine wire electrode, during a unilateral straight arm movement. The movement started with either (part 1) an abduction or a flexion, then (2) a movement in the horizontal plane from the sagittal to the frontal plane or vice versa, and finally (3) an adduction or an extension to the start position. The movement cycle was performed in three different speeds, slow, medium, and high, with one, two or five cycles per 20 s, respectively. On an average, the motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) of 6 motor units (range, 1-15) were identified per trail. In total 94% of the MUAP trains that were identified showed firings in all 3 parts of the movements. The findings support the Cinderella hypothesis, although there is a need to further investigate the temporal pattern of long-term motor unit activity.
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| 8. |
- Forsman, Mikael, Professor, et al.
(författare)
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Systematic risk management with RAMP for riskassessment and adapted changes - an implementation study
- 2022
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Ingår i: NES2022 WORK WELL Conference Proceedings Research. ; , s. 156-157
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling – Proactively), is arisk management tool focusing on manual handling work. Since 2017 RAMP has beenspread to over 105 countries. More than other methods, RAMP supports the entire riskmanagement process. RAMP is based on risk factors documented in scientific literature,and it has been evaluated regarding usability and reliability. It is now used for MSDrisk management in many organisations. The feedback from RAMP users is positive,and there are indications of reductions in sick absence.The purpose of the ongoing project is to investigate a selection of effects thatimplementation entails and to examine the implementation of RAMP from a leadershipand system perspective. Specific questions are: What happens when a companyimplements RAMP? Are the risk factors reduced? What affects the change? Whatstrategies do companies use when implementing RAMP? Are the effects of whichstrategies companies apply when implementing affected? What are the facilitators andbarriers to the implementation of this risk management method?The project is carried out as an implementation study based on mixed methods incollaboration between researchers and four production companies and two FHV actors.The effects and implementation of RAMP will be evaluated by comparing risk levels,qualitative interviews, document analyses, questionnaires and structured observationsof work processes. For changes in risk factors, RAMP risk assessments, which includeobservations and objectivemeasurements of push-pull forces, carried out at baseline andat follow-up will be compared. If possible, in addition to the above data collection, thecompany's own data on sick leave, productivity and quality (eg quality deficiency data)will be included and monitored over time.Implementations and effects of RAMP will be summarized in so-called logicalmodels. These models will identify inputs (e.g. time and resources set aside forimplementation), activities (e.g. training and measures implemented), intermediate(short-term) outcomes (e.g. the extent to which RAMP is used in the systematic workenvironment work and in the entire process for risk management, how much of the highrisks have been reduced, what type of measures have been taken and how the riskawareness has developed among employees), long-term outcomes (e.g. employees'perception of the workload, perceived health and perceived problems), and possiblylong-term outcomes (e.g. changes in sick absence, quality and productivity as well assharing good examples within the organisation).157At this point in the project, the questionnaire has been designed, companies havebeen contacted, and data collection at the first company, that now has assigned animplementation strategy, is about to start.The project is expected to show what effects on the work environment (possibly alsohealth, quality and productivity) that systematic application of the RAMP method canhave, aswell aswhich of the studied factors affect the implementation and to what extentthey do so. The results are expected to lead to new knowledge in the area of systematicrisk management and implementation strategies.
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| 9. |
- Johansson Hanse, Jan, 1954, et al.
(författare)
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Identification and analysis of unsatisfactory psychosocial work situations: a participatory approach employing video-computer interaction
- 2001
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 32, s. 23-29
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A method for psychosocial evaluation of potentially stressful or unsatisfactory situations in manual work was developed. It focuses on subjective responses regarding speci"c situations and is based on interactive worker assessment when viewing video recordings of oneself. The worker is first video-recorded during work. The video is then displayed on the computer terminal, and the filmed worker clicks on virtual controls on the screen whenever an unsatisfactory psychosocial situation appears; a window of questions regarding psychological demands, mental strain and job control is then opened. A library with pictorial information and comments on the selected situations is formed in the computer. The evaluation system, called PSIDAR, was applied in two case studies, one of manual materials handling in an automotive workshop and one of a group of workers producing and testing instrument panels. The findings indicate that PSIDAR can provide data that are useful in a participatory ergonomic process of change.
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| 10. |
- Kordasti, Shirin, 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of cholera toxin on the potential difference and motor responses induced by distension in the rat proximal small intestine in vivo
- 2006
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1857 .- 1522-1547. ; 290:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cholera toxin (CT) may induce uncontrolled firing in recurrent networks of secretomotor neurons in the submucous plexus. This hypothesis was tested in chloralose-anesthetized rats in vivo. The secretory reflex response to graded intestinal distension was measured with or without prior exposure to luminal CT. The transmural potential difference (PD) was used as a marker for electrogenic chloride secretion. In controls, distension increased PD, and this response was reduced by the neural blocker tetrodotoxin given serosally and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor antagonist [4Cl-D-Phe(6),Leu(17)]VIP (2 mu g.min(-1).kg(-1) iv) but unaffected by the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron, by the nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium, by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine, or by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Basal PD increased significantly with time in CT-exposed segments, an effect blocked by granisetron, by indomethacin, and by [4Cl-D-Phe(6),Leu(17)]VIP but not by hexamethonium or atropine. In contrast, once the increased basal PD produced by CT was established, [4Cl-DPhe(6),Leu(17)] VIP and indomethacin had no significant effect, whereas granisetron and hexamethonium markedly depressed basal PD. CT significantly reduced the increase in PD produced by distension, an effect reversed by granisetron, indomethacin, and atropine. CT also activated a specific motility response to distension, repeated cluster contractions, but only in animals pretreated with granisetron, indomethacin, or atropine. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that CT induces uncontrolled activity in submucous secretory networks. Development of this state depends on 5-HT3 receptors, VIP receptors, and prostaglandin synthesis, whereas its maintenance depends on 5-HT3 and nicotinic receptors but not VIP receptors. The motility effects of CT (probably reflecting myenteric activity) are partially suppressed via a mechanism involving 5-HT3 and muscarinic receptors and prostaglandin synthesis.
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