| 1. |
- 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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| 2. |
- Rose, Linda, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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The RAMP package for MSD risk management in manual handling – A freely accessible tool, with website and training courses
- 2020
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 86
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper the RAMP Package is presented with the objective to facilitate the application of the RAMP tool to systematically manage MSD risks. The package consists of the RAMP tool (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively), the RAMP website, and free, globally available online, training courses (MOOCs). An Action module used for managing identified MSD risks is introduced. The tool, encompassing a wide range of risks, is applicable to the whole risk management process. Furthermore, RAMP is openly available for download, and free to use. The RAMP tool and training materials were developed using a participative iterative methodology including researchers and practitioners. RAMP was downloaded in 86 countries in the first 26 months since its' launch and over 2400 learners from high-, middle- and low-income countries have joined the MOOCs. The RAMP Package meets organisations’ needs for an accessible, comprehensive risk assessment and management tool.
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| 3. |
- Franzon, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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A usability study of the SRA Index (Sustainable Risk Awareness Index)- a KPI for Management Support
- 2022
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Ingår i: NES2022 WORK WELL Conference Proceedings. ; , s. 147-154
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Companies use risk observations and work environment (WE) deviations such as occupationalaccidents and occupational illnesses to prevent injuries. There is no standard for how risks andoccupational injuries are reported. Praktikertjänst's management requests a standard as ameasure that can be used to work more proactively with health and safety and supportsustainable business development. Therefore, the SRA method was developed for calculatingand visualizing a work environment KPI related to the severity of WE deviations, the SRA Index.(Sustainable Risk Awareness Index for management support). Existing data (risk observations,near misses, work-related accidents and work-related illnesses) are used for calculating the SRAIndex. In this study the usability of the SRA Index was evaluated with a questionnaire amongwork environment experts. They assessed the SRA method to be easy to understand, to havehigh usability and to be valuable for assessing an organisation’s risk awareness.
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| 4. |
- Franzon, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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The SRA Index (Sustainable Risk Awareness Index) : A New KPI for Management Support
- 2021
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Ingår i: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. - Cham : Springer Nature. ; , s. 457-466
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective with this project is to develop a key performance indicator (KPI) related to work environment deviations, such as risk observations, near misses and injuries. This as a support for managers decision making in steering companies towards higher risk awareness as well as to contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable work environments and jobs. In addition, the aim is to contribute to a work environment (WE) reporting standard with a KPI related to the severity of WE deviations. Based on a literature study an iterative development of such a KPI has resulted in the Sustainable Risk Awareness Index (the SRA Index) and a visualization of it and its components using the Risk Awareness Triangle, also developed in this project. The development of the SRA Index is described and the index is exemplified with data from the electrical installation sector, the healthcare industry and one of Sweden’s largest private health company. Also the Risk Triangle is exemplified. The need for and the advantages of standardized methods to report WE deviations in companies sustainability reports are discussed. It is concluded that initial use of this KPI, according to management, fills an identified gap, it provides the management with a usable tool for systematic work environment overview and it supports their informed decision-making.
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| 5. |
- 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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| 6. |
- Mazaheri, Ava, 1992-
(författare)
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Beyond the Force: Redefining load exposure assessments of nutrunners for improved power tool ergonomics
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Reaction force exposure from handheld tightening tools (also known as nutrunners) constitutes an acknowledged contributor to musculoskeletal disorders among assembly operators, and are today not regulated by explicit limits. The research presented in this thesis aimed at contributing to the development of recommended exposure limits for, and assessments of, reaction loads from handheld right-angle and pistol-grip tightening tools.In order to address the thesis objectives, four research studies were conducted. A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge within the topic area. Knowledge gaps were identified by mapping available publications and based on those suggesting directions for further research. Thereafter, two psychophysically based experimental studies were conducted where acceptability limits related to load exposure from handheld tightening tools were derived for right-angle and pistol-grip tightening tools. Finally, an automotive manufacturer’s approach to evaluating and managing the use of handheld tightening tools was outlined by means of an interview study.As found through the literature review, four of the forty included publications had stated exposure limits (general recommendations) or acceptability limits (load acceptance as assessed by study participants) for reaction load exposure from handheld tightening tools. However, some of the reported limits did not consider relevant physical parameters, and some did not comply with modern power tool technologies. Based on this, it was suggested that researchers should emphasize physical quantities relevant to the reaction load such as impulse, express exposure limits in terms of reaction load relevant parameters (and not only the tightening torque), and further study modern power tool technologies.The experimental studies resulted in acceptability limits for right-angle and pistol-grip tightening tools expressed as screw-joint tightening torque (i.e. a task-related factor), where acceptable tightening torque limits were higher for the inertia-controlled tightening program compared to the continuous drive tightening program, in both studies. In addition, corresponding acceptable reaction load levels (i.e. the exposure) were derived, indicating load levels resulting from the tool use that the study participants assessed as acceptable for an 8-hour workday. It should be noted that the experimental times on which the acceptability limits are based were limited, and that the acceptability limits therefore should not be prescribed to full workdays.From the interview study, three main topic categories were identified based on the interviewees’ responses: ‘A holistic approach’, ‘Information and knowledge availability’ and ‘Negotiating criteria’. Within the studied automotive organization, a comprehensive approach to ergonomics assessments is incorporate, where both objective and subjective evaluations form the basis for addressing physically demanding tool use situations. Further, it was found that there are different instances where the employees lack sufficient knowledge related to the tools, and which can influence the employment of handheld tightening tools. In addition, it was found that criteria such as safety and quality could in some situations compete with ergonomics efforts. In conclusion, the findings from this thesis can contribute to the development of recommended exposure limits and evaluation methods for reaction load exposure from handheld tightening tools. Policymakers could utilize the insights presented in this thesis to form general guidelines directed at power tool manufacturers as well as tool using organizations. Through standardized guidelines, reaction loads from handheld tightening tools, which is one of the contributors to MSDs within assembly work, can be managed and reduced.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Mazaheri, Ava, et al.
(författare)
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Reaction force exposure for tightening tool users : A psychophysical based experimental study of electric right-angle nutrunners
- 2022
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 103
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reaction forces from nutrunner tools constitute a risk of developing MSDs. However, recommendations for sustainable reaction force levels are lacking. The aim of this study was to inform recommendations regarding reaction load exposures from right-angle nutrunners. Through a psychophysics approach, experienced assembly workers subjectively assessed reaction loads when using a nutrunner in six combinations of tool tightening strategy, work-pace and screw-joint stiffness. Electromyography, tool and joint parameters were measured. Regardless of tightening strategy, joint stiffness and work-pace combinations, no large differences in acceptable tightening torque, peak reaction force, and handle displacement were observed. However, acceptable jerk and impulse differed substantially between the TurboTight (R) (high-acceleration) and QuickStep (R) (conventional) tightening strategies. Although the TurboTight (R) strategy overall showed reduced peak muscular activities compared to the QuickStep (R), the participant-rated acceptable torque levels were similar, plausibly due to TurboTights' high jerk levels. Jerk and impulse are hypothesized to influence the perception of reaction loads.
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| 9. |
- Mazaheri, Ava, et al.
(författare)
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Reaction load exposure from handheld powered tightening tools : A scoping review
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Assembly workers using handheld powered tightening tools are repetitively subjected to reaction loads resulting from the tool handle. Despite the vast amount of research, tool manufacturers and OSH practitioners still lack well-grounded recommendations and benchmarks for ergonomics evaluations of reaction loads. This review provides an overview of research investigating reaction loads and operator physical demand, and identifies gaps in current means of evaluating reaction load exposure from tightening tools. A scoping review was conducted, scanning for quantifications of reaction loads as well as reported indications of MSD risks following tightening tool use. Suggested maximum exposures for reaction loads were further identified. The most commonly investigated quantities among the 40 publications included, were peak reaction force/torque (70%) and handle displacement (70%), followed by impulse (23%). Pneumatic tools were studied at greater extent (65%) than electric tools (30%). Three studies presented a relationship between reaction load exposure and physiological changes, i.e. edema, tissue oxygenation and blood volume changes, indicating an elevated risk of developing MSDs. Four publications proposed values for maximum reaction load exposure, expressed as either reaction torque, handle displacement, or tightening torque. To conclude, strategies for developing recommendations for reaction load exposure are suggested. Less investigated reaction parameters, e.g. impulse, can carry additional relevant information regarding exposure. Exposure values should be expressed as physical quantities of the reaction load rather than tightening torque. Recommendations are further needed for various tool handle-configurations, emphasizing the increasingly used electric tools. Such recommendations can eventually contribute to reducing MSDs resulting from tightening tool use.
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| 10. |
- Neumann, W. Patrick, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of work-rest models using a "breakpoint" analysis raises questions
- 2020
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Ingår i: IISE TRANSACTIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS & HUMAN FACTORS. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2472-5838 .- 2472-5846. ; 8:4, s. 187-194
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Designing sustainable cyclic work requires attention to both the workload amplitude as well as the duty cycle, the fraction of the work cycle with active workload, that therefore also defines the recovery phase of the cycle. A number of different approaches and models have been developed to calculate the required recovery time for a given load and duty cycle. We present a comparison of three types of models at the "breakpoint" that defines the boundary of load amplitude and duty cycle where fatigue begins to accumulate faster than recovery allows within the work cycle. This comparison shows considerable variation between models of the "allowable" load or duty cycle depending on the method used. Practitioners should thus be cautious applying these models indiscriminately in job design as their results can vary substantially. In particular, differences between the tasks used for model formulation and application may compromise validity, and model application in a given context should be verified before broad application. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Rationale: There is a need for tools to help design sustainable work in which muscular capacity and other human resources can recover at least as quickly as they are used. Purpose: In this brief report, three different approaches presented in the literature to determining work-rest schedules in cyclic work are compared. Methods: First, a set of five different muscular endurance models coupled with a recovery time model were considered, both with and without a dynamic work correction factor. Second, we examined a model of "resumption time", and third a psychophysically-based model of maximum duty cycle was included. These models were compared using the concept of a "breakpoint" in fatigue accumulation-the point at which a given load amplitude and duty cycle combination begins to cause accumulation of fatigue in each cycle and from which there is inadequate time to recover. Results: While the five endurance time models all behaved similarly, both with and without the static-to-dynamic correction factor applied, the three different types of modeling approaches provided substantially different response patterns. The psychophysically based model provided the most protective guideline among the models compared. Conclusion: These models should be applied with caution to particular work scenarios. Further research is needed to test accuracy and effectiveness when applying such models to a range of task scenarios to establish safe workloads and loading times in the design of repetitive work.
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| 11. |
- Rodrigues Coutinho, Brenda, et al.
(författare)
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Meeting the Challenges of Home Care in Small Residential Bathrooms : Creation of the Bathroom Aid Inventory
- 2022
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Ingår i: Conference Proceedings of the 51<sup>st</sup> NES Conference. ; , s. 176-177
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purposeOur society is facing major demographic challenges in healthcare. The growing population of older people is outpacing the creation of residential care facilities like nursing homes, meaning that more and more people are ‘aging in place’. ‘Aging in place’ means continuing to reside in a private residence in the community even as care needs intensify. It is an economically efficient option and often preferred by aging people, but it also brings substantial challenges. Eventually people require support from home careworkers with the vital and personal tasks that take place in the bathroom: toileting and bathing. However, residential bathrooms are often small and not designed to accommodate a care recipient, care worker, and mobility aids such as a walker or wheelchair. There is a growing need to update residential bathrooms to meet the evolving needs of older residents. Although there exist several aids and assistive devices intended to facilitate bathroom tasks, this can be hard for users and caregivers to navigate. This project was undertaken as part of a larger study funded by AFA Försäkring. The goal of this portion was to develop an inventory of currently-available bathroom assistance devices for use by residents and their family members, health care organizations, insurance agencies, and other stakeholders. The primary research question was: What type of bathroom assistive devices are currently available, either commercially or in prototype form, intended to assist users with the tasks of toileting, bathing, and handwashing?MethodologyThe primary method was web search and document review across several domains: regulations, assistive devices, and residential bathroom renovation examples. The first set of searches investigated the legislation and guidelines on bathroom design both for residential and healthcare settings; consistent and conflicting specifications were noted. The second set of searches was for assistive devices that could be used to facilitate bathing and toileting tasks in residential bathrooms. Examples of renovated residential bathrooms were solicited through authors’ networks.ResultsWhen it came to guidelines and specifications for bathroom design, there was substantial tension between the regulations set out by the Swedish Work Environment Authority and the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning. The inventory includes images of assistive devices as well as their main features: target task (bathing, toileting, personal care, handwashing), dimensions, weight ratings, colors, materials, store, website address, accessibility, and price. Documented assistive device categories include shower benches, toilet aids, support handles, showers, washbasins, taps, alarm buttons, contrast marks, and others, with approximately 20 examples for each.ConclusionsThis project developed an inventory of currently-available bathroom assistance devices, intended to inform users’ selection of devices for growing care needs in realistic (i.e. nonideal) settings. However, it is not the intention for the inventory represent an assessmentof the quality, safety, effectiveness, or usability of the devices. While it is hoped this list will represent the variety of available devices, it is also not intended to be exhaustive. Together with an introduction that includes the examples of renovated bathrooms, the inventory will be disseminated as a searchable web-based resource.
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| 12. |
- Rose, Linda, 1963-
(författare)
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Financial effects of suggested work environment improvements : Examples from applied Masters students’ projects
- 2022
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Ingår i: 51st Nordic Ergonomics and Human Factors Society Conference 2022. ; , s. 235-242
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- It can be challenging to motivate decision-makers to invest in work environmentimprovements (WEIs). One success factor is to use the same vocabulary as companymanagement and express suggested WEIs in a way that management can understand and usein their decision-making. This paper has two objectives, to present: 1) examples of realorganisations’ ergonomics problems, suggestions for improvements and financial estimationsof effects of the suggested interventions, carried out by students in a Master’s course; 2)course-design features evaluated as important for this type of course. Results from six studentprojects, using several financial methods, are presented. The discussion focuses on the valueof increasing the availability of such a course, as well as competencies needed to be successfulinWEIs. In conclusion: by applied training as in this course, non-economists can rather rapidlylearn to assess ergonomics problems, and to develop, present and argue for suggestedsolutions, also with financial effect estimations.
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| 13. |
- Rose, Linda, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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RAMP 2.0 – Further Development of the RAMP Tool
- 2021
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Ingår i: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems.. - Cham : Springer Nature. ; , s. 182-189
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling – Proactively), a freely accessible MSD risk management tool for manual handling work, was launched 2017 to contribute to the reduction of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks for manual handling work-tasks. The tool is currently developed further, using an iterative participative methodology, to: i) enhance the RAMP tool’s application range, mainly to include hand-intensive work, ii) develop a system version of the tool, and iii) include key performance indicators (KPIs). A needs analysis resulted in 99 identified needs. Regarding i), six needs were assessed as “very important to include” to enhance the application range. A literature study focusing on relevant risk factors and how exposure to them is associated with MSD risks was carried out and first drafts of a model for assessing risks in hand-intensive work are iteratively developed, using feedback from intended users. Regarding ii), 50 needs and suggestions on what to consider when developing a databased system version of the RAMP tool were identified. Prototypes of parts of the system-version are iteratively developed, using intended users’ feedback. Regarding iii), the needs analysis resulted in 16 suggested KPIs, including KPIs based solely on RAMP results and KPIs which can be established combining RAMP results and company data. The project is ongoing. An enhanced RAMP tool, RAMP 2.0, with the abovementioned expansions could support MSD risk assessment and risk management in systematic MSD risks reduction work for a wide range of work tasks.
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| 14. |
- Rose, Linda, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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The RAMP 2.0 project : Towards an enhanced MSD risk management tool
- 2022
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 51st NES Conference. ; , s. 155-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2017 RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling – Proactively), a risk management tool focusing on manual handling work, was launched with the objective to contribute to reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). RAMP has since then been spread to over 105 countries and is used as the standard method for MSD risk management in several organisations. Different usability, reliability and validity aspects of RAMP have been evaluated as being good. To enhance RAMP’s application range and to further increase its usability, the RAMP 2.0 project started in 2018. Results from this ongoing project have been reported at several conferences, e.g. IEA 2021.The objective of this conference-contribution is to provide an overview of the results of the project this far, whereas the objectives of the project are to: i) expand RAMP’s application range to include hand-intensive work, ii) in addition to the existing Excel-based version, provide RAMP in a system version, and iii) enable practitioners to use RAMP results in forming key performance indicators, KPIs, as a means to follow the results of systematic work environment progress at an organisation, and to provide managers with relevant data for informed decision making.The project is carried out with a participatory, iterative methodology. It is led by re-searchers at KTH, and carried out in a collaboration between researchers and practitioners from over a dozen organisations. Methods used include needs analyses, literature studies and iterative development of the three parts, where workshops with different types of experts are regarded as crucial.The results this far for each one of the three parts are: i) Enhanced application range. Based on a needs analysis among the participating organisations, the first version of RAMP’s “Hand model” has been developed. An evaluation study of this model in planned for the spring 2022 where usability and reliability are in focus; ii) Also a version of the RAMP system version has been developed, as well as iii) methods for forming KPIs, i.e. both KPIs formed by using only RAMP results data and KPIs formed by combining RAMP results and company data, as for example quality and sick-leave data.By the inclusion of hand intensive work in RAMP’s application range, a large part of commonly performed work tasks can be assessed and managed. However, limitations of the tool’s application range is discussed, as well as how adequate input data can and determined.
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| 15. |
- Stenberg Gleisner, Anna Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Towards Innovative Bathroom Solutions for All - A Needs Analysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, IEA 2021. - Cham : Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. ; , s. 376-383
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- To be able to age in place, the home environment often needs to accommodate users’ needs throughout their life span. Bathrooms are an especially demanding space for the user, but also for those supporting the user, for example nursing assistants, in their daily life. This study investigated factors of importance for creating well-functioning bathrooms – for both nursing assistants and users, identifying needs concerning access to assistive devices for these groups. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. In total 13 nursing assistants, occupational therapists and users participated in the interviews. The overall results emphasize the importance of space, assistive devices and to be able to customize the bathroom to accommodate the user’s needs throughout their life span. These factors are of importance in order to enable independency and safety for the user in the bathroom, and at the same time, enable a safe work environment for those supporting the user. The results help us to understand the complexity of this problem and the results can be used in the work of reducing injury risks and create sustainable work environments.
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| 16. |
- Stenberg Gleisner, Anna Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Towards safety and autonomy in the home bathroom : Identifying challenges, needs and gaps
- 2022
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 105
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This qualitative study aims to identify challenges, needs and gaps for home care bathroom tasks and gather information that will allow for user-centered, sustainable solutions for home care in the bathroom. Twenty-one interviews were carried out with participants with the perspective of client, health care worker or care orga-nization. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and interpretive description. The findings identify important factors for enabling both independent living for clients and a sustainable work environment for the health care workers. They include adequate space, access to assistive devices and regular risk assessments to recognize changing needs. Enabling independent living is one strategy that can be used to manage the ongoing demographic change as well as the expected future labor shortage in the care sector. Changes can be made in the physical environment (the residential bathroom) in order to facilitate safer task performance for both the clients and the health care workers.
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| 17. |
- Yung, Marcus, et al.
(författare)
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Is there a u-shaped relationship between load levels and fatigue and recovery? : An examination of possible mechanisms
- 2023
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Ingår i: Ergonomics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0014-0139 .- 1366-5847. ; , s. 1-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a previous study, an unexpected u-shaped relationship was observed between load level andfatigue/recovery responses. Moderate load levels resulted in lower perceived discomfort, pain,and fatigue, and shorter recovery times compared to either low or high load levels. Thisphenomenon has been reported in other studies, but no article has examined the possiblemechanisms that might explain this u-shaped relationship. In this paper, we re-examined thepreviously published data and found that the phenomenon does not appear to be due to theexperimental artefact; the u-shape may be due to unexpectedly lower fatigue effects at moderateloads, and higher fatigue effects at lower loads. We then conducted a literature review andidentified several possible physiological, perceptual, and biomechanical explanatory mechanisms.No single mechanism explains the entirety of the phenomenon. Further research is needed onthe relationship between work exposures, fatigue, and recovery, and the mechanisms related tothe u-shaped relationship.Practitioner summary: We examine a previously observed u-shaped relationship between loadlevel and fatigue/recovery, where moderate force resulted in lower perceived fatigue andshorter recovery times. A u-shaped fatigue response suggests that simply minimising load levelsmight not be an optimal approach to reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
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