Ergonomics最新文献

This study analyzes 4,095 proactive safety inspection records obtained from a large dispatching centre by utilising the HFACS framework. These proactive safety inspection records offer comprehensive documentation of incidents, capturing major accidents and numerous minor discrepancies and lapses that often go unnoticed in accident reports. The analysis revealed that most incidents were attributed to unsafe actions, primarily skill-based errors and poor decision-making. Additionally, contributing factors such as adverse mental states, personal readiness, and crew resource management were found to play a significant role as preconditions for unsafe acts. Path analyses further established a significant correlation between factors such as unsafe supervision, preconditions for unsafe acts, and the occurrence of unsafe acts. In our discussion, we critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of proactive safety inspection records in safety research. Moreover, we emphasise these findings' potential to enhance safety within the railway industry.

The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-related factors, perceived work fatigue (PWF) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among handicraft artisans. 364 artisans participated in a questionnaire survey, and a structural equation model (SEM) was developed to explore the direct and indirect relationships between these factors using partial least squares analysis. The SEM explained 98.2% of the variance in MSDs and revealed that exposure to biomechanical factors had a direct impact on PWF and MSDs, with PWF mediating the effect of biomechanical factors on MSDs. Additionally, job demand was found to be positively associated with MSDs, while job control and social support reduced the risk of MSDs. The findings underscore the importance of strategic initiatives to mitigate the risk of developing MSDs among artisans. The study also highlights the potential of SEM as a novel framework for understanding the complex pathogenesis of MSDs in occupational health research.Practitioner summary: The study sought to comprehensively examine the intricate relationships among work-related factors, PWF, and MSDs. To achieve this, an SEM approach was employed to capture both direct and indirect relationships between these factors, employing partial least squares analysis. Findings revealed SEM as an innovative framework for understanding the intricate development of MSDs.

The objective of this study was to determine the match level of school furniture with student dimensions and conduct a pilot study to examine practicality of a computer-aided ergonomic analysis software with a Motion Capture System (MoCap) for the purpose of improving school furniture design process in terms of determining optimum dimensions. The research involved measuring the anthropometric data of 218 voluntary primary school students in Mugla, Turkiye and the dimensions of the existing school desks they use. The compatibility between the students' anthropometry and the existing school desks were analysed by using reference equations. Computer-aided ergonomic analysis performed only for seat and desk height. Four virtual human model and ten different school desks in various dimensions were created and evaluated according to joint reaction forces and muscle activations in three different postures by using Anybody Modelling System (AMS). The results of compatibility level showed that there were significant incompatibilities between the students' anthropometry and the existing school desks, with 80% of seat heights and 96% of desk heights being too high. Overall, in order to assess the optimal school desk dimensions, ergonomic analyses provided data indicating reduced joint reaction forces and muscle activations within the musculoskeletal system for the seat and desk height dimensions determined using reference equations. Also, the findings from the ergonomic analysis revealed valuable information on how even minor dimensional modifications to school desks can affect the musculoskeletal system.Practitioner summary: The study examined the impact of simulating student-school desk matching in various sizes and postures within a virtual environment using computer-aided ergonomic analysis software. The analysis focused on specific local areas of the musculoskeletal system to determine optimum school desk dimensions. The results indicated that the software has a potential in facilitating school furniture design based on user's anthropometric measurements. However, a multidisciplinary team is required to make more detailed analysis.

This study aims to develop and implement an ergonomic intervention program at the workplace of knowledge workers, and to evaluate its impact on the reduction of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and musculoskeletal symptoms. 84 workers were part of the study (mean age 43.2 ± 9.7 years). The intervention included training, delivery of a packaging of artificial tears, and adjustments in workstations. It was conducted intensively along 6 weeks. Data was collected on-site, with questionnaires administered pre-intervention, 2 months after, and 4 months after. Participants exhibited behavioural changes, especially in workplace adjustments and visual rest. By the intervention's end, over 90% had correctly adjusted screens and adopted appropriate postures, while 42.7% adhered to the 20x20x20 rule. CVS severity and prevalence decreased, but not significantly across the three time points. Significant improvements were observed in upper back and neck musculoskeletal symptoms at the end of workdays. Findings suggest that an ergonomic intervention program can benefit employees by reducing visual and musculoskeletal symptoms.

The shortfall of seafarers is a constant challenge in the shipping industry. With the development of the world economy and changes in employees' psychological indicators, seafarers' spiritual needs play an increasingly important role in their work intentions. This study proposed that seafarers' work values should be a useful explanation for the shortfall of seafarers. This study investigated the work values of seafarers (N = 368) and college students majoring in navigation technology and marine engineering (N = 322), as well as their relationships with participants' work intentions. The results showed that conservation and self-transcendence had positive influences on (quasi)seafarers' willingness to work onboard. The results also showed that participants' conservation and self-transcendence values decreased generation by generation. Accordingly, researchers and managers should pay enough attention to seafarers' work values. Maritime schools and shipping companies may incorporate work values into the processes of seafarers' recruitment, training and education, and performance management.

Supine postures are increasingly adopted in medical transport, long-duration flights, and other healthcare environments. This study is aimed to identify the effect of vibration direction and magnitude on the objective and subjective responses of the human body in a supine posture. The transmissibilities to the head, chest, abdomen, and thighs of 12 male subjects were measured with single-axis random vibrations in longitudinal (z axis), lateral (y axis), and vertical (x axis) direction at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 ms^-2 r.m.s. Subjective discomfort was determined using the absolute magnitude estimation method. It was found factors of 1.0, 1.5 and 1.0 multiplying with the weighted r.m.s. of input accelerations in x, y, and z axes, respectively, can predict the discomfort. Alternatively, the unweighted acceleration measured at the body, such as at the chest, which was found to highly correlate with vibration discomfort, can be used to predict vibration discomfort of supine subjects.

This paper presents a constructive view of Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) and its implications regarding work, organisations and HFE interventions.

In contrast to a defensive approach to HFE, which would view work mostly as a source of constraints, and the role of HFE as reducing these constraints, the goal of constructive ergonomics is to eliminate obstacles hindering success and development and to maximise opportunities for acting and learning.

After having developed the concept and the methods of enabling interventions, as well as their consequences on the role of ergonomists, two enabling interventions are presented to illustrate the implementation of the constructive approach in real work settings.

The discussion advocates a conception of development as a fact, a means and a goal of HFE interventions, and emphasises the maieutic role of ergonomists.

Sitting time (ST) in the occupational domain has been linked to reduced wellbeing and quality-of-life. However, studies investigating the impact of reducing ST in these outcomes are scarce. An ancillary analysis using data from a RCT containing a 6-month sit-stand desk-based intervention, evaluated workers' changes in ST (objectively measured), and subjective wellbeing and quality-of-life. Two groups were created based on changes in ST. Independent and paired-sample T-tests were used to evaluate the differences between and within groups, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to evaluate the effects of ST reduction in the outcomes. Our analyses indicated that 13 participants out of 38 reduced ST (-72min/day [±40.0; p < 0.001], while 25 participants slightly reduced or increased ST (+36.7 min/day [±40.3; p < 0.001]). Both groups had an improvement in quality-of-life scores, but only those who reduced ST improved subjective wellbeing (p = 0.028). Despite these results, no time*group interaction was found.

The advantages of two-stage warnings have been validated. This study investigated how drivers' expectations of automated driving system capabilities and cognitive load affect their attention allocation and takeover performance when using a two-stage warning system in a Level 3 automated driving system. Thirty-two drivers participated in a driving simulation study. The results showed that drivers under high cognitive load had longer and more frequent fixation on the road, which suggested a cautious attention strategy. The high-expectation group gazed less on the road and got greater lateral deviation and maximum acceleration. Attention allocation of the high-expectation group was similar between warning stages but was more susceptible to cognitive load within the same stage. The two-stage warnings need to be designed to direct drivers' attention effectively.

Grounded on the Affective Event Theory and the Quality of Telework Model, this cross-sectional study examined the impact of perceived advantage of remote workstation on remote work performance and if this relationship is mediated through remote work intensity and moderated by worktime autonomy. The perceived advantage of remote workstation was operationalised as the arithmetical difference between perceived home office and in-site office workstation quality. A sample of 349 Italian researchers involved in hybrid work arrangements completed an online questionnaire. Results show that employees who preferred their home office than in-office workplace tended to perform better remotely; the mediating effect of remote work intensity was not observed; finally, worktime autonomy positively moderated the relationship between perceived advantage of remote workstation and remote work intensity. This study offers theoretical and practical insights for designing effective hybrid workplaces, emphasising the importance of workstation quality and worktime autonomy in determining remote work performance.