| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Rhen, Ida-Märta, 1975, et al.
(författare)
-
Inter- and intra-rater reliability of the OCRA checklist method in video-recorded manual work tasks
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 84
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Observation-based risk assessments are often used for evaluation of biomechanical workload and the condition of the workplace ergonomics. However, the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the methods used for the assessments are insufficiently studied. The OCRA checklist method, included as a reference method in the ISO and CEN standards regarding upper limb repetitive risk assessment, was in this study investigated regarding its reliability. Eleven ergonomists were educated within the method. Each ergonomist risk-assessed ten video-recorded manual work tasks, on two occasions. The average inter-rater agreement of the five overall risk levels was 39% and the linearly weighted kappa was 0.43, the intra-rater dittos were 45% and 0.52. Both indicating a moderate reliability, but lower than what could be expected. The levels might be sufficient for coarse surveys. However, for risk assessments before and after an intervention, complementing technical methods should be considered.
|
|
| 3. |
- Neumann, W. Patrick, et al.
(författare)
-
Innovation and employee injury risk in automotive disassembly operations
- 2018
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Production Research. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0020-7543 .- 1366-588X. ; 56:9, s. 3188-3203
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Engineering innovations in car disassembly systems are studied for affects on system operators’ risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI). Objective instrumented measures of injury risk factors with synchronized video-based task analyses were used to examine changes in operators’ RSI risk during two cases of engineering innovation: 1) a shift in industrial model from traditional extracting saleable parts to line-based full material recovery, and 2) the prospective effects of a simulated “Lean” inspired process improvement in the line system.Both cases of innovation showed significantly increased movement speeds and reduced muscular recovery opportunities, implying increased RSI risk. This case study reveals a mechanism by which innovation may increase RSI risks for operators. Managers responsible for engineering innovation should ensure their teams have the tools and mandate necessary to control injury hazards as part of the development and design process. These cases suggest how failure to manage RSI hazards in the innovation process may allow increases of injury risks that can compromise operational performance. This “innovation pitfall” has implications for operator health and organizational sustainability. Alternative pathways are discussed.
|
|
| 4. |
- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
-
Ergonomists’ risk assessments : From guesstimates to strategic approaches
- 2020
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most prevalent causes of work-related ill-health, consequently risk assessments of hazardous factors related to these disorders are important for prevention. Occupational Health Services (OHS) providers are independent experts, supporting employers regarding work environment issues and rehabilitation. Ergonomists represents one of the professions within OHS, and risk assessment regarding musculoskeletal disorders is within the scope of their work tasks. The overall objective was to explore Swedish ergonomists’ practices and approaches with risk assessments, in order to contribute new knowledge about how ergonomists’ work methods can be further developed to improve prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Paper I explored the process of risk assessment assignments and the ergonomists’ use of observation-based risk-assessment tools. The result showed a lack of systematic approaches regarding risk assessment assignments and limited use and knowledge of observation-based risk-assessment tools. In Paper II inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of risk assessments, without the use of an explicit observational method were assessed. The results showed a non-acceptable reliability. Paper III explored ergonomists experiences of an e-learning concept for knowledge translation in the OHS context. The e-learning concept was considered as feasible. The knowledge translation inspired increased use of risk-assessment tools, changes in the risk assessment procedures, e.g. selection of tools, and employing a participatory approach. Paper IV described the development of a process model for occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to hand-intensive work (HIW-model), and the studies that will explore the model. Paper V explored company representatives’ experiences of the HIW-model, and factors which facilitated the execution of the model. The model contributed to increased risk awareness and understanding of how individual workers’ musculoskeletal ill-health relates to exposures in work. Facilitating factors were: a joint start-up meeting in which the process was planned, clear communication, and clarity regarding the ownership of the process. In conclusion, the findings showed that ergonomists’ expertise is needed in the entire risk management process and not only in the risk assessment phase. In this process, the ergonomists need to be active and take the expert role (which includes a stocked toolbox) and support the employer through the whole risk management process from initiation to evaluation of risk controlling measures.
|
|
| 5. |
- Cyrén, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
-
Task Specific Exposure Information as a Basis for Production System Design
- 1998
-
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).
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Lind, Carl, et al.
(författare)
-
Reducing postural load in order picking through a smart workwear system using real-time vibrotactile feedback
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 89
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vibrotactile feedback training may be one possible method for interventions that target at learning better work techniques and improving postures in manual handling. This study aimed to evaluate the short term effect of real-time vibrotactile feedback on postural exposure using a smart workwear system for work postures intervention in simulated industrial order picking. Fifteen workers at an industrial manufacturing plant performed order-picking tasks, in which the vibrotactile feedback was used for postural training at work. The system recorded the trunk and upper arm postures. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were conducted about the users’ experience of the system. The results showed reduced time in trunk inclination ≥20°, ≥30° and ≥45° and dominant upper arm elevation ≥30° and ≥45° when the workers received feedback, and for trunk inclination ≥20°, ≥30° and ≥45° and dominant upper arm elevation ≥30°, after feedback withdrawal. The workers perceived the system as useable, comfortable, and supportive for learning. The system has the potential of contributing to improved postures in order picking through an automated short-term training program. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
|
|
| 8. |
- Maimaiti, Nazhakaiti, et al.
(författare)
-
Cervical musculoskeletal disorders and their relationships with personal and work-related factors among electronic assembly workers
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Journal of Safety Research. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0022-4375 .- 1879-1247. ; 71, s. 79-85
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Electronics assembly workers are reported to have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study investigated the prevalence of cervical MSDs and the complex relationships between cervical MSDs and individual, physical, psychosocial factors among electronics assembly workers. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, self-administered questionnaires from 700 workers in electronics manufacturing workshops were analysed. Information concerning musculoskeletal symptoms, personal and work-related factors was collected. Finally, the prevalence of cervical MSDs was computed for different subgroups, and the relationships with different factors were analyzed using logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The total 12 month prevalence of cervical MSDs among the survey population was 29.4%. Variables of gender, job tenure, twisting head frequently, neck flexion/extension for long time and work required to be done quickly showed significant associations with MSDs in a multivariate logistic regression (P < 0.05). The SEM analysis showed moderate and significant correlations between postural load (gamma = 0.279), gender (gamma = 0.233) and cervical MSDs, while there were weak but significant correlations between vibration (gamma = 0.024), work stress (gamma = 0.126), job tenure (gamma = 0.024) and cervical MSDs. Both work stress and vibration affected the MSDs indirectly through postural load. Conclusions: The logistic regression results support previous general epidemiological MSD studies, and indicates that individual, physical, and psychosocial factors are related to cervical MSDs. The SEM provides a better approximation of the complexity of the relationship between risk factors and cervical MSDs. Improving awkward postures may be effective ways to control the influence of occupational stressors or vibration on MSDs. Practical Applications: The study is to improve prevention of MSDs among electronics assembly workers and promote their occupational health.
|
|
| 9. |
- Richter, Hans, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
-
A comparison of mental and visual loads resulting from semi-automated and conventional forest harvesting : An experimental machine simulation study
- 2018
-
Ingår i: FALF Konferens 2018: Arbetet - problem eller potential för en hållbar livsmiljö?. - Gävle : Gävle Universtiy Press. - 9789188145284 ; , s. 96-
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This study is concerned with a new method for partly automating forestry harvesting work. Work-related injuries and constant demands for a higher productivity are two of the many arguments for why forestry work must be improved. Forestry work places great mental demands on the driver because they must continuously evaluate and act on relevant parts in a heavy visual information flow. Against this background the purpose of the present study was to extend the knowledge of functional linkages between visual and mental fatigue, performance, and prefrontal cortex activity, during semi-automated and conventional forestry harvesting work. Eleven healthy participants, range 21–51 years old, with a minimum of 1-year work experience, carried out the task of loading logs along a standardized path in a machine simulator during two counterbalanced 45-min periods: (i) conventional forest harvesting, and; (ii) semi-automated forest harvesting. Equal emphasizes was put on accuracy and speed. During manual forest harvesting the driver controlled the crane arm, used to load logs into the load space of the forest vehicle (“forwarder”), by manually operating the joysticks and so guide the crane to the location of the log and then back to the load space. During semi-automatic forest harvesting the driver moved the crane with the press of a button to a pre-programmed location near the log and then, after another button press, to a pre-programmed location within the load space. The following joystick usage parameters were considered for the statistical analysis: Sequential work cycle number, work phase (1-loading in basket, 2-movement to log, 3-picking up log, 4-movement to load space), number of simultaneously used controls across samples of one phase, number of direction changes of joystick movements per phase. Mental load was assessed by quantification of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) concentration changes over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) via non-invasive functional near infrared spectrometry (fFNIRS: PortaLite mini, Artinis Medical Systems, Zetten, the Netherlands). The frequency and duration of horizontal amplitudes of eye/head/neck angles was assessed continuously with 8 SmartEye cameras and used as a measure of visual load. NASA-TLX and Borg CRS was used to assess perceived mental and physical fatigue. Linear Mixed Model will be used to test and to analyze the effect of the duration of work, joystick usage, work type (manual or semi-automated) and perceived mental and physical effort on the outcome of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration. This study contributes with new knowledge of the consequences of the current increase in automation. The 4th industrial revolution can have tremendous implications on how we perceive and organize work in the future, but little is still known about the impact on human body and brain.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
