International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics最新文献

Neck pain is one of the most prevalent painful conditions among professors. Covid-19 has led to significant changes in work organization, with remote work becoming predominant even after the pandemic. Home office obliged to use information technologies for a longer duration, give classes at distance, and adjust workstations with consequences on neck musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). The aim of this study was to characterize the determinants of neck MSS among university professors from Brazilian Universities, in two moments, during Covid 19 pandemics.

Two cross-sectional studies were based on an online survey applied to university professors in 2020–21 and 2021–22. The samples included 220 professors in the first moment and 180 in the second one. A logistic regression model considering Cervical Musculoskeletal Symptoms in the last 12 months as the dependent variable was adjusted for each data collection period.

According to the model for the period 2020–21, the log of the odds of a professor who has neck MSS in the last 12 months was positively related with having multisite musculoskeletal symptoms, duration of work in a seated posture superior to 6 h, teleworking or using a hybrid format, having two or more dependents, self-report diseases and stress perception. For the period 2021–2022, was positively related with having multisite musculoskeletal symptoms, and age over 50 years; negatively related with the mean duration of work per week.

The knowledge of protective and risk factors has an important role in the definition of preventive strategies and the design of home office by the universities.

Objective

Using machine learning techniques, we have developed an interactive exercise training system to assist individuals aged 55 years or over with knee pain to perform lower-limb exercises to improve their knee health. The system has three features: video-based exercise demonstrations, real-time feedback on exercise movements, and tracking of exercise performance and progress. The current study aimed to evaluate the design of the computer prototype of the system, and determine its usability and end users’ intention to use it (i.e., acceptance of it).

Methods

Heuristic evaluation and end-user testing of the computer-based prototype system were conducted. Three human factors practitioners identified the design deficiencies, with reference to 64 design principles. In addition, 10 individuals with knee pain were recruited to use the prototype system to complete five tasks in the study laboratory. We recorded and examined the task success rate, number of requests for assistance, difficulties encountered during tasks, and perceptions of usability and acceptance.

Results

Four design deficiencies were identified, regarding recognition and recovery of errors, navigation, auditory perception, and help documentation. Most participants had difficulty in calibrating the camera and performing exercises. However, in general, the prototype system was perceived as usable and acceptable.

Conclusions

The use of heuristic evaluation and end-user testing revealed the capacity to systematically detect design deficiencies in interactive self-help systems, allowing for effective system adjustments. Moreover, our system shows potential for individuals managing knee pain, but conducting iterative usability testing is necessary to identify additional improvements. Furthermore, several design propositions have been submitted.

The construction industry is widely acknowledged as hazardous in nature, requiring proactive measures to mitigate accidents and minimize fatalities. While hazard recognition is recognized as a key preventive measure, research gaps persist regarding the impact of workers' personalities on near-miss identification. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the big five personality traits on construction workers' recognition of the Fatal-four near-miss incidents. Using an eye-tracking experiment conducted in a controlled environment, 35 participants were exposed to 16 well-balanced near-miss scenarios derived from actual construction sites. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to assess their personality traits, and their near-miss recognition performance was recorded and analyzed using a wearable eye tracker. The findings revealed a significant correlation between openness/intellect and workers' attentiveness indicators. Notably, individuals with higher scores in openness/intellect displayed enhanced attentiveness during the task. Moreover, the influence analysis demonstrated that workers with low conscientiousness and low openness/intellect exhibited a higher frequency and earlier attention to Fatal-four near-miss opportunities within the presented images. This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between personality traits, attentiveness, prioritization, and near-miss incidents in the construction industry. The results open avenues for developing personalized safety training programs tailored to individuals with lower near-miss identification abilities, thereby fostering robust safety culture within the construction sector.

X-ray screening of passenger baggage at airports is performed in different work settings. In local cabin baggage screening (LCBS), airport security officers (screeners) analyse X-ray images of passenger bags at the checkpoints where they are exposed to noise and social stress from passengers. In remote cabin baggage screening (RCBS), screeners work in remote, quiet, and office-like environments. The primary aim of this study was to compare the screening performance in LCBS and RCBS. In addition, we examined the effects of time on task and task load in both work settings. Using linear mixed models, we analysed threat image projection (TIP) data from 1706 screeners collected over two years (669,168 TIP events). The results showed better detection of prohibited articles (higher hit rate) and longer processing times in RCBS than in LCBS. In both settings, we found a decrease in the hit rate with increasing time on task, and this decrease was stronger when the task load was high. Interestingly, the effects of work setting, time on task, and task load were relatively small compared with the inter-individual differences in performance across screeners.

This study investigates the relationships between visual form attributes (height, shape, and curvature) and product perception, particularly exploring the dynamic interplay between formal aesthetics and product semantics. The challenge of effectively incorporating formal aesthetic characteristics into the design process is addressed by adopting Gestalt theory as a guiding framework. Drawing on the Gestalt principle of Prägnanz, this research investigates the role of primary visual attributes of form on perceived Complexity, Symmetry, Harmony, and Regularity of kettle images. A central aspect of this investigation is the recognition of a product's form, which possesses the potential to influence the symbolism associated with the product's personality traits attributed by users. To this end, the study aims to acquire deeper insights into the perception of familiarity, prototypicality, beauty, and attractiveness to comprehensively analyze the overall product perception while unravelling the underlying significance of emotional responses through the product's personality. The goal of this study is to deconstruct the form attributes exhibited by eight kettles of various designs. By doing so, we seek to understand how these form attributes synergistically contribute to creating a unified perceptual whole to convey a specific character or identity. The findings offer insights into the influence of form on a product's aesthetic perception and perceived personality and how form contributes to a product's symbolic meaning. By grasping the intricacies of product perception, designers can create products that cater to the diverse needs of different user groups, ultimately leading to increased market acceptance and commercial success.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by workers in a wide range of industries to minimise the risk of exposure to occupational hazards. While various effects associated with their use have been investigated, there is a lack of insight on how PPE can act as a stressor, especially for non-healthcare workers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of non-healthcare workers on the various impacts caused by common PPE types (i.e., hearing and respiratory protective devices) that may affect an individual's well-being. The study employed a cross-sectional research method via online survey, which was distributed globally targeting workers in PPE-dependent industries (with the exception of health care), and designed to explore workers' PPE usage patterns, their perceptions of how PPE impacted them, and to report any specific symptoms they experienced associated with the usage of PPE (n = 234). Communication impairments were identified as the main issue reported for both types of PPE. Frequent users of respirators perceived the use of these forms of PPE to not be helpful or effective in protecting them at work. Infrequent users of hearing protection were found to be significantly impacted by a reduction in their ability to communicate, form social and working relationships, and felt their awareness levels in the workplace were affected. Discomfort and headaches were frequently reported symptoms associated with both types of PPE, with breathing difficulties being another commonly reported symptom for those who use respirators.

The maternal mortality rate in the US increased significantly from 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 32.9 in 2021. Black women have a higher rate of mortality and also experience higher rates of severe maternal morbidity, which are life-threating maternal health complications. However, maternal mortality and SMM are preventable with timely and responsive care, suggesting opportunities to intervene at the point of care. To examine processes contributing to adverse maternal outcomes and racial/ethnic disparities in these outcomes, we analyzed 550 incident report (IRs) collected in the maternity units of a large academic hospital in 2019 and 2020. IRs were disaggregated by race/ethnicity and the IR narratives were coded using the systems factors from the SEIPS 2.0 model. Tasks (40%) and organization (30%) were most frequently reported SEIPS 2.0 categories. The majority of these incidents were the result of omissions (15%), staffing (9%), teamwork and coordination (7%), specimen labeling errors (7%), and hospital protocols (6%). These findings from this analysis can improve system safety and support the development of targeted efforts to improve health equity for women and birthing of people of color.

Virtual reality technology has shown potential for rehabilitation training, and spatial presence and flow experience have emerged as two important factors for explaining the virtual reality experience. We designed a new non-immersive upper limb rehabilitation training system to analyze the effects of spatial presence and flow on the user experience in virtual reality and its acceptance of technology using a technology acceptance model. This study's results showed that spatial presence has no significant effect on perceived usefulness (β = 0.102, p = 0.062), some degree of positive effect on perceived ease of use (β = 0.197, p = 0.010), and a significant positive effect on the flow experience (β = 0.535, p < 0.001). Flow experience influenced attitude and behavioral intention at different levels (β = 0.144, p = 0.001; β = 0.372, p < 0.001), and 76.9% and 78.2% variance were observed in user attitude and behavioral intention, respectively. In a multi-group analysis, the results showed that females were more susceptible to spatial presence, whereas males' attitudes toward the system were more susceptible to the flow experience. Good spatial presence will improve flow experience and positively influence the continuous use of rehabilitation training.

This study aims to summarize the literature on the risk factors for the incidence of nonspecific neck pain in industrial workers. Electronic searches were performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science for prospective cohort studies. The methodological quality analysis of the studies was performed through The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The search totaled 25,292 articles, and after threefouran analysis of eligibility criteria, three studies with four articles were included in this review. Of this, three articles presented high methodological quality. In total, 3805 individuals from industrial sectors were analyzed. The physical, psychosocial, and individual risk factors associated with neck pain were high workload, repetitive movements, shoulder elevation above 90°, cervical flexion maintained for more than 75% of the time, weekly stress, weekly task change, high demands for work and low control and females. Women stay away from work longer than men. This systematic review identified physical, psychosocial, and individual factors associated with neck pain incidence in industrial workers.