Workforce challenges: 'inclusive design' for organizational sustainability

Today's challenge for workforce management lies in providing a healthy, safe and productive working culture where people are valued, empowered and respected. Workforce diversity is becoming an essential aspect of the global workforce, and ageing is the most prominent and significant factor in this regard. Diversity brings many opportunities and challenges, as workers with different backgrounds, cultures, working attitudes, behaviours and age work together, and in future, the key to organizational effectiveness and sustainability will heavily depend on developing and sustaining inclusive work environments where people with their differences can co-exist safely and productively. Manufacturing organizations expect the highest levels of productivity and quality, but unfortunately the manufacturing system design process does not take into account human variability issues caused by age, skill, experience, attitude towards work etc. This thesis focuses on proposing an inclusive design methodology to address the design needs of a broader range of the population. However, the promotion and implementation of an inclusive design method is challenging due to the lack of relevant data and lack of relevant tools and methods to help designers. This research aims to support the inclusive design process by providing relevant data and developing new design methodologies. The inclusive design methodology suggested in this thesis is a three step approach for achieving a safe and sustainable work environment for workers, with special concern for older workers. The methodology is based on the provision of relevant human capabilities data, the capture and analysis of difference in human behaviour and the use of this knowledge in a digital human modelling tool. The research is focused on manual assembly through a case study in the furniture manufacturing industry and joint mobility data from a wide-ranging population has been analysed and the task performing strategies and behaviours of workers with different levels of skills have been recorded and analysed. It has been shown that joint mobility significantly decreases with age and disability and that skilful workers are likely to adopt safer and more productive working strategies. A digital human modelling based inclusive design strategy was found to be useful in addressing the design needs of older workers performing manufacturing assembly activities. This strategy validates the concept of using human capabilities data for assessing the level of acceptability of any adopted strategy for older workers, and suggests that the strategies adopted by skilful workers are more likely to be equally acceptable for older and younger workers keeping in view differences in their joint mobility. The overall purpose of this thesis is to present a road map towards the promotion and implementation of the inclusive design method for addressing workforce challenges and in future the same strategies might be implemented within a variety of other industrial applications. The proposed three step inclusive design methodology and getting a reasonable understanding of human variability issues along with the use of human capabilities data (joint mobility in this case) in a human modelling system for design assessment at a pre-design stage can be considered as the major contributions of this research

MINIMIZING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT IN UPPER LIMB: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction: Occupational problems are highly prevalent and act as impediments to effective labor. As per the statistics by WHO, in the year 2003, it was seen that back injuries shared the highest proportion in occupational disorders (60%), followed by neck and upper limb. Body: In the upper limb, any joint, be it the shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand, can be affected. Variable structures ranging from the tendon, ligament, nerve or muscle can be involved leading to problems effectuating in the form of pain, tenderness, swelling, and functional deficits. Common problems seen are carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle sprain-strain, and osteoarthritis in joints, etc. Management: ULMSDS can be prevented by incorporating activity in daily life awhile also keeping a check on posture. At workplace, architectural adjustments and changes in physical and social environment can help prevention exacerbation of upper limb conditions. Regular rest intervals can also be included to avoid prolonged fixation of joints in one position. Conclusion: This paper focuses on ULMSDS in an attempt to improve the quality of life through various intervention strategies within the work organization thus enhancing work quality and output of the companies. Article visualizations

Cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace: bibliography

"This publication provided a compilation of materials describing research conducted by NIOSH on cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace. Selected references, both NIOSH and nonNIOSH, were provided, concentrating on NIOSH activities in preventing work related musculoskeletal disorders, prevention and intervention research at NIOSH for work related musculoskeletal disorders, comments to the Department of Labor on the OSHA proposed rule on ergonomic safety and health management, a manual for musculoskeletal diseases of the upper limbs, a review of physical exercises recommended for video display tube operators, management of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders, ergonomics and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. A bibliography of NIOSH publications on cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace was provided, including numbered publications, testimony, journal articles, grant reports, contract reports, and health hazard evaluations. NonNiosh references were also listed." - NIOSHTIC-2Part I. Selected NIOSH and non-NIOSH References -- A. NIOSH Activities in Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders -- B. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Prevention and Intervention Research at NIOSH -- C. Comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Role on Ergonomic Safety and Health Management - Part 1 -- C. Comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Role on Ergonomic Safety and Health Management - Part 2 -- D. Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for Musculoskeletal Diseases of the Upper Limbs -- E. A Review of Physical Exercises Recommended for VDT Operators ) -- F. Management of Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders -- G. Preventing Illness and Injury in the Workplace: Ergonomics and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries -- H. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome -- -- Part II. Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the Workplace - Bibliography -- A. NIOSH Publications Reports -- 1. Numbered Publications -- 2. Testimony -- 3. Journal Articles -- 4. Grant Reports -- 5. Contract Reports -- 6. Health Hazard Evaluations -- -- B. Selected non-NIOSH ReferencesAlso available via the World Wide Web

A novel method for the characterisation of human upper limb workspace with respect to dexterity

Human dexterity is a complex phenomenon associated to physiological and cognitive factors that affect the execution of precise movements. Dexterity is strongly linked to upper limb (UL) functionality and performance, and its study is important for clinical analysis, ergonomics, sports biomechanics, design, rehabilitation, and human-machine interactions. However, its understanding is quite limited. Dexterity is commonly assessed through time-dependent dexterity tests that can determine the successful completion of tasks on test boards paced in front of the participant. However, such tests cannot inform about participant performance in other regions of the corresponding UL workspace volume (WV), and they can only collect data related to specific tasks, and therefore, cannot predict UL performance for the execution of other tasks. This thesis establishes a time-independent novel method for the characterisation of UL workspace with respect to dexterity; the “Dexterity Analysis Method” (DAM), which is based on the manipulability analysis method (used in robotics to quantify robot manipulability). The DAM is flexible, versatile, and scalable. It can be used to analyse real and virtual individuals or populations using direct measures or statistical data. Moreover, the DAM allows adding human factors, and to assigning their weights for adjustment and calibration. Hence, the DAM is a powerful tool that can help to evaluate performance, assess healthiness, optimise implants and prosthetics, design ergonomic workplaces and homes, develop assistive devices, and conduct pre- and post-surgery evaluations. Moreover, this work, as implemented in the DAM, promotes the use of WV as an objective reference to map performance, healthiness, and dexterity. Finally, the DAM contributes to closing the knowledge gaps on the understanding and quantification of UL motion, workspace, and dexterity. However, the DAM still needs to be fully validated as the experimental results obtained in this research with such purpose were not conclusive. A real-life application of the DAM is illustrated in Chapter 7 of this work, which analyses the effects of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) on WV and dexterity. The results indicate that WV for healthy people can be around 32% larger than those for people with RSA. However, it was found that greater WV do not necessarily translate into larger high dexterity regions, and the effects of reductions in ROM on WV depend on the extreme at which such reductions occur. For instance, a decrease of 15° in elbow extension reduces 2% of 2-D reachability, whereas a decrease of 15° in elbow flexion only reduces it by 10.8%. Therefore, surgeons should carefully consider such factors when making decisions during joint surgery, reconstruction, and implant position optimisation

Promoting a healthy ageing workforce: use of Inertial Measurement Units to monitor potentially harmful trunk posture under actual working conditions

Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving the low back, represent a major health concern for workers, and originate significant consequences for the socio-economic system. As the average age of the population is gradually (yet steadily) increasing, such phenomenon directly reflects on labor market raising the need to create the optimal conditions for jobs which must be sustainable for the entire working life of an individual, while constantly ensuring good health and quality of life. In this context, prevention and management of low back disorders (LBDs) should be effective starting from the working environment. To this purpose, quantitative, reliable and accurate tools are needed to assess the main parameters associated to the biomechanical risk. In the last decade, the technology of wearable devices has made available several options that have been proven suitable to monitor the physical engagement of individuals while they perform manual or office working tasks. In particular, the use of miniaturized Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) which has been already tested for ergonomic applications with encouraging results, could strongly facilitate the data collection process, being less time- and resources-consuming with respect to direct or video observations of the working tasks. Based on these considerations, this research intends to propose a simplified measurement setup based on the use of a single IMUs to assess trunk flexion exposure, during actual shifts, in occupations characterized by significant biomechanical risk. Here, it will be demonstrated that such approach is feasible to monitor large groups of workers at the same time and for a representative duration which can be extended, in principle, to the entire work shift without perceivable discomfort for the worker or alterations of the performed task. Obtained data, which is easy to interpret, can be effectively employed to provide feedback to workers thus improving their working techniques from the point of view of safety. They can also be useful to ergonomists or production engineers regarding potential risks associated with specific tasks, thus supporting decisions or allowing a better planning of actions needed to improve the interaction of the individual with the working environment

Ergonomic Simulation Revisited Using Parametric Virtual Humans in the Biomechanical Framework

The conventional CAD/CAM approach to design does not show the essential spatial relationships between user and product that are crucial for intuitive design analysis. As populations age and the home appliance market stagnates, Universal Design principles implemented with computerized virtual worlds become more important for meeting the ergonomic problems of heterogeneous populations that are increasingly difficult to adequately test with real-world subjects. Digital Human Modelling (DHM) is an emerging area that bridges computer-aided engineering design, human factors engineering and applied ergonomics. The most advanced forms of this technology are being used by many researchers for practical applications, including ergonomic analysis. However, a state of the art model of this technology has never been conceived for the conceptual design stage of a product development cycle as most conventional DHM techniques lack real time interaction, require considerable user intervention, and have inefficient control facilities and non-adequate validation techniques, all contributing to slow production pipelines. They have also not addressed the needs of the growing ageing population in many societies across the globe. The focus of this dissertation is to introduce a complete framework for ergonomic simulation at the conceptual design stage of a product development cycle based on parametric virtual humans in a prioritized inverse kinematics framework while taking biomechanical knowledge in to account. Using an intuitive control facility, design engineers can input a simple CAD model, design variables and human factors in to the system. The evaluation engine generates the required simulation in real-time by making use of an Anthropometric Database, Physical Characteristic Database and Prioritized Inverse Kinematics architecture. The key components of the total system are described and the results are demonstrated with a few applications such as kitchen, wash-basin and bath-tub. By introducing a quantitative estimation of ageing algorithm for anthropometric digital human models, products can be designed from the start to suit the ergonomic needs of the user rather than the biases and assumptions of the designer. Also, by creating a tool that can be used intuitively by non-specialists in a dynamic, real-time environment, designers can stop relying on specialists to test the safety of their ideas and start to effectively use data about populations to discover designs that can be used more easily by more people. Results have been validated with real human subjects indicating the practical implication of the total system as an ergonomic design tool for the conceptual design stage of a product development cycle

Designing a Task Assessment Tool for Ease and Risk within the Domestic Environment

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) enable people to continue to live independently, as far as possible. Slowing down a person’s decline or utilising equipment to maintain independence is a growing area of research. However, how we carry out daily tasks within the home can accelerate this decline. To date, little or no consideration has been given to quantifying load and the risk level associated with the performance of daily tasks within the home environment. This study evaluates and quantifies load and the risk level associated with the performance of domestic tasks which could be responsible for a person’s change in behaviour in the later stages of life. In order to understand the IADL tasks, an initial survey was used to gather different people’s perceptions about these tasks, and then to discover the hardest sub-task within the selected tasks. An observational study used existing ergonomic assessment methods to evaluate the postural load, and revealed that existing ergonomic tools are not enough on their own as they did not identify other risks which are associated with the performance of daily tasks. Finally, a task assessment tool for ease and risk (AER) was developed to evaluate and quantify the risk associated with the performance of daily tasks. AER is useful in the detection of early warnings (pre-event) for healthy individuals as well as for those undergoing rehabilitation, as it can easily identify the tasks that are hardest to perform. The tool is based on three risk parameters: (1) psychological perception of the tasks, (2) adopted postures and (3) manual handling. It is capable of assessing the risk level associated with individual tasks while simultaneously assessing the domestic load over a period of time. The novelty of this work is to propose a self-assessment tool which provides the knowledge about a person’s own risk associated with the performance of domestic tasks. The initial development of AER consisted of two phases: (1) development of AER and (2) evaluation of user trials, based on (a) ease of use of AER record sheet and (b) validity study. The AER trials overall used 20 healthy able-bodied participants and both trials were performed in the home environment. AER consists of a booklet and record sheets and specifically covers instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)[1] tasks but can also be extended to cover all tasks performed in the home environment. In the ease of use trial, the feedback questionnaire confirmed that AER is easy to use, free from ambiguity, applicable to almost all the tasks performed in the home environment and almost all participants agreed that AER does not require training for assessment. In the validity trials, the AER predicted risk level is measured in relation to perceived discomfort and it was found that AER has high sensitivity (78%), specificity (74%) and predictive (73% positive and 80% negative) values which revealed that AER is a sensitive and useful tool for identifying risk and perceived discomfort in performing daily tasks. It also concluded that the participants’ self-assessed (IADL) exposure scores were reasonably similar as compared to the researcher’s assessment and revealed that regular use of AER will help to obtain more accurate and reliable results. AER is able to assess the risk level associated with a single task and can also assess the general behaviour or domestic load over a period of time. AER is also helpful for identifying those tasks which required more caution when performed and which are responsible for someone’s change in behaviour in later life. Moreover, it is believed that AER may play a vital role in the development of comprehensive and proactive strategies for the detection of problems related to the home environment and for managing them effectively before it can affect a person’s quality of life

Assisting Occupational Therapists in North Dakota: An Agricultural Resource Guide

Within the state of North Dakota, agriculture and farming are of the most essential and influential factors within the state\u27s economy (Rathge et. al 2012). Rural communities are among the medically under-served areas within the United States; establishing the dire need of healthcare services (Hagglund et al., 1998; Schweitzer et al., 2011). A study conducted by Meyer and Fetsch (2006) deduced the four prominent disabilities affecting farmer\u27s engagement in occupations as arthritis, spinal cord injury, amputation, and back injuries. Farmers, and their family members, are also at higher risk for work related stressors which may result in severely disabling conditions; which overall establishes an even greater need to provide services to this population (Schweitzer et al., 2011). In addition, Willkomm (2001) reviewed the difficulties farmers with disabilities encounter and the increased risks for secondary injury. A literature review was conducted to identify areas of need for farmers; the performance skills and client factors potentially impacted by injury, and best practice assessments and interventions. Based on the results of the literature, a concise manual entitled An Agricultural Resource Guide for Occupational Therapists was developed. This resource guide is designed for occupational therapists to utilize when working with this population. It contains a review of assessments and intervention strategies to utilize with farmers within his or her context based on the Ecological Model and encompassing the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. An Ecological Model perspective is utilized to consider the farmer and tasks within the natural work and home environment. Components from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework were utilized throughout the manual to provide organization of multiple client factors and performance skills required by farmers to complete tasks. North Dakota is a state dominated by agriculture; as such, it is essential to understand the population’s physical, mental, social, cultural, and temporal constraints. The is purpose of this project was to ensure that the needs of the farmer and family are being met and allow the farmer to remain active within the profession for as long as he/she so chooses