IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors最新文献

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSThe coronavirus disease pandemic has changed the setting of many jobs, forcing people to switch to remote work. In turn, telework is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, as it is difficult to ensure an ergonomically correct work environment at home. Complaints of headaches, neck pain, and dizziness are reported by both young and old people. One of the reasons for such complaints might be an incorrect head position and prolonged tension in the neck muscles that is directly correlated with a spatially misaligned computer monitor and peripherals. We examined biomechanical parameters of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and found that it is possible to reduce tension in this muscle by keeping the head in an appropriate angular range to minimize potential health risks.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSErgonomic risk assessment is a key step in managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Diverse assessment methods exist, and errors may occur if inappropriate methods are selected. Understanding the level of knowledge, how to use methods, and exploring factors affecting erroneous usage of these methods, can provide useful information for health and safety regulatory authorities and decision-makers to identify problems and determine an action plan to eliminate them. We found that Iranian occupational health specialists have little knowledge about the types of pen-and-paper observational methods (OMs), and most of them use a limited number of these methods. Content analysis of interviews identified three main categories of influential factors and 12 subcategories. The main categories were educational, individual, and organizational factors. These results suggest the need for more effort to ensure that practitioners possess better knowledge and skills in the selection and application of pen-and-paper OMs.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSLocalized Muscle Fatigue (LMF) can be monitored or predicted based on the relative change in the values of surface electromyography (sEMG) measures with respect to the "fresh" or no-fatigue condition. Quantification of LMF based on relative change, though, relies on the assumption that the sEMG measures recorded in a no-fatigue condition can serve as an appropriate reference. Results of this study indicate that sEMG measures in a no-fatigue condition are affected by various work-related factors and provide further guidance on the variability of commonly used time- and frequency-domain sEMG measures to assist the ergonomist in improving the accuracy of LMF assessment.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSIn this paper, we provide a framework for practitioners when (re)designing tasks that historically have required standing in the workplace. While the goal is not to remove standing from all jobs, practitioners must work with management to align health and safety outcomes related to standing at work with the enterprise's main outcomes. Practitioners should also be made aware that in many of these jobs, standing has been required because, in the enterprise's judgment, it improves performance and customer service. Understanding common beliefs about customer interactions and job performance in the workplace will be vital to implementing changes that have previously been difficult to navigate.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSPeople in many occupations that involve using complex tools need to know how to troubleshoot those tools in real time and with minimum cost. Training troubleshooting professionals is thus a concern for various occupational sectors-particularly the military, aviation, power plant, and in industrial processes-and large investments have been made to create and use simulators that train troubleshooting skills. In the design and evaluation of simulators for troubleshooting, this review shows that no single level of simulation realism-or fidelity-works best in training, and that the effect of fidelity depends on trainees' prior skill level and the type of troubleshooting system (electronic or mechanical).

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSThis paper provides a decision-making model for workplace ergonomics problem-solving to help clarify the situations in which simple, non-quantitative approaches are suitable, in contrast to those conditions where more formal, quantitative methods are needed. The perspective is that of an individual or workplace team focused on a specific problem. The value of this model is that it: (1) avoids unnecessary activities, in particular quantitative assessments when not needed; (2) emphasizes qualitative problem-solving methods; (3) enables non-technical personnel to be involved; and (4) helps expand the use of ergonomics toward reducing production barriers. The context is "continual improvement" rather than "compliance." Students may profit by learning practical steps useful in the workplace. Practitioners may benefit from reviewing the framework (and indeed improving it). Researchers might gain a better appreciation of simple methods used in the workplace and perhaps test certain premises of the model more rigorously.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSMilitary personnel are at greater risk of injuries due to frequent load carriage. Novel exoskeleton technology may have benefits for soldiers, such as reduced physical burden through load carriage support that may result in decreased metabolic cost, reduced fatigue, and lower risk of injuries during walking. However, as for most assistive devices, a familiarization period is likely necessary to obtain the full potential of the device. Our results show that the metabolic cost of walking (MWC) was initially increased significantly upon provision of the passive exoskeleton, though it returned to baseline values after a 9-day familiarization period. The exoskeleton remained effective after a three-month pause, with a MCW below baseline. These results suggest that to properly assess the assistance of an exoskeleton, a sufficient familiarization period should be mandatory.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSModifying the spinal curvature is an empirical approach to treating upper limb musculoskeletal disorders, often attributed to the balance between physical stress and individual functional capacities. We completed an experimental biomechanical study to quantify the effect of seated spinal posture on upper limb functional capacities. Isometric maximum muscle voluntary forces (MVFs) were measured at participants' shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Fatiguability was also assessed during a repetitive painting task. Participants were asked to assume both slouched and erect spinal postures, in a random order. In the erect posture, participants achieved higher shoulder and elbow isometric MVF levels and took longer to reach a fatigue threshold. Thus, spinal posture tends to remotely influence upper limb functional capacities, especially at the shoulder and elbow. Ergonomists should consider spinal posture even when focusing on musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSVeterinarians provide comprehensive health services for animals, but despite exposure to similar occupational and safety hazards as medical physicians, physical risk factors for these doctors and healthcare teams have not been characterized. In this pilot study, we used wearable sensor technology and showed that veterinary surgeons commonly experience static and demanding postures while performing soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Observations showed that muscle activation was highest in the right trapezius. Job factors such as surgical role (attending vs. assisting) and surgical specialty (soft tissue vs. orthopedics) appeared to influence exposure to physical risk factors. These findings suggest a need to consider the unique demands of surgical specialties in order to address the key risk factors impacting injury risks among veterinarians. For example, static postures may be a priority for soft tissue surgeons, while tools that reduce force requirements are more pressing for orthopedic surgeons.