Evaluating the Similarity in Postures Between Forklift Operators in Virtual Reality and the Workplace

Forklift operators must adopt awkward postures in order to gain appropriate lines of sight; these postures are associated with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders such as low back pain and neck pain. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the similarity in postures between forklift operators in virtual reality simulation of forklift loading and unloading operations and a corresponding real world workplace. This evaluation will help determine whether the virtual reality system is a useful tool for performing controlled laboratory-based investigations of ergonomics issues in heavy mobile machinery. One certified forklift operator and one uncertified individual performed two cycles of the loading and unloading tasks in the virtual reality environment. Video images of the participant’s postures in the virtual reality simulation quantified the neck and trunk postures as neutral, moderate or awkward. Published data from a warehousing operation were used for comparison. The results showed general agreement between the postures adopted by the participants in the simulation and the field; however, there were significant differences in the durations that specific postures were adopted. These preliminary findings suggest promise; further development of the system is necessary to use it as a tool for ergonomic analysis of workplace mobile machinery

Development and Assessment of a Virtual Reality Forklift Simulator as a Research Tool to Study Whole-Body Vibration

Operators of forklifts and other heavy machinery are exposed to whole-body vibration as a result of their daily work routine. Lower-back pain and other health risks have been linked to whole-body vibration exposure. A virtual reality simulator has been developed as a tool to study the effects of whole-body vibration and other risk factors associated with forklift operation. This study aims to demonstrate that the vibration exposure during simulation can be adjusted, and to compare the chassis accelerations to those of a real forklift. A sensitivity analysis examined three key parameters to determine their effect on the vibration properties of the simulator chassis. A comparison of field chassis accelerations during a standard work task revealed that the simulator better replicated accelerations for events involving transient surface irregularities, but the simulator had smaller vibrations when traveling across the relatively smooth warehouse floor. The simulator in its current state is a functional tool for evaluating the ergonomics of forklifts; however, further adjustment is required before the system can be considered a viable platform for whole-body vibration research

Fork lift truck simulator for training in industrial environment

Since their first usage simulators have been employed in training staff in civil aeronautics and in military fields to improve driving skills without compromising safety of people and machines. The system proposed in this paper is suited to transfer this activity into the industrial field, in particular an innovative fork-lift simulator is presented. Actually most frequent causes of accident with fork-lifts are wrong manoeuvres accomplished by drivers. This simulator aims to improve skills in driving and handling materials using a fork-lift. The system can reply inertial feedback on the operator and allows the user to control all the tasks of a fork-lift as driving and handling materials. The paper presents an overall view of the system including Stewart platform, supporting structure, physical based model, wash-out filter, system architecture and a video system mounted on board of the moving platfor