Assessment of Postural Load during Melon Cultivation in Mediterranean Greenhouses

Health and safety at work directly influence the development of sustainable agriculture. In the agricultural sector, many farm workers suffer musculoskeletal disorders caused by forced posture. The objective of this research is to assess working postures during melon cultivation in Almería-type greenhouses. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) has been used with pictures of the tasks. The variables studied by multiple correspondence analysis were as follows: Subtask, Posture code, Back, Arms, Legs, Load, Risk, and Risk combination. The OWAS analysis showed that 47.57% of the postures were assessed as risk category 2, 14.32% as risk category 3, 0.47% as risk category 4, and the rest as risk category 1. Corrective measures should be implemented immediately, as soon as possible, or in the near future, depending on the risks detected

Applications of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire: A Review

Sustainability seeks to provide economically viable products in an environmentally friendly way while respecting worker rights. Physical wellbeing forms part of these rights. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) diminish productivity, cause absence from work, impose costs on the public health system and can cast doubt on the sustainability of a company or a product. The objective of the present work is to review the literature on the application of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) on a worldwide level. In this work, the use of the NMQ has been classified by categories of knowledge, countries and years. The search was made using “Web of Science-Core Collection”. In total, 259 articles were chosen from scientific journals and conferences related, according to the title and or abstract, to the practical application of the questionnaire. In conclusion, the NMQ has been applied mainly in three sectors: “activities related to treating human health and social issues”, “manufacturing industries”, and “agriculture, livestock, fishing, and forestry”. The NMQ is an indirect method commonly used individually or complemented with other methods for evaluating the MSD and possible associated psychosocial and labour risks. The use of NMQ can help in the evaluation of the sustainability of a company

Risks and Hazards at Rotary Screen Printing (Part 4/6): Manual Materials-Handling

This-study aimed at identification of occupational-hazards and risks, associated with manual materials- handling (MMH), incorporating manual-lifting, but excluding pushing and pulling. The-study was limited to-printing-section, of a-textile-mill. Questionnaire, observations, and document-analysis, were the-main- research-instruments. Pre-testing, of the-questionnaire, was done, according to the-ISO 20252:2006 (E). Reliability (the-Cronbach’s co-efficient) was obtained via SPPS-17, version 22, and established high-inter –item-consistency (α >0.87). Descriptive-statistics was employed to-analyze both; qualitative and quantitative-data. The-study established, that some-MMH practices, in the-department, are hazardous and risky, and can-contribute to Musculoskeletal-injuries and/or Musculoskeletal-Disorders. In-particular, absolute-majority of the-respondents, reported, that MMH was their-daily-responsibility; and also-stated, that the-loads, they handle, were, largely, both; heavy (20-50kg), bulky (too-wide (> 50 cm)), and long (> 30cm). Moreover, the-mainstream indicated, that: (1) heavy-loads (rolls of fabric, and containers of dyes/pigments/solvents) were lifted manually, in awkward-working-positions, solo (without help), and with not knowing of the-weight of the-load, to be-lifted; in-addition, inadequate/ short-handholds made lifting more-precarious, increasing the-risk of injuries, and of dropping the-load; (2) material-handling-equipment was not in-good-condition; considerable-force was needed to-push, or pull, equipment, such-as trolleys; (3) repetitive-tasks, and movements, were-routinely carried-out; and (4) the-floor was uneven and sloping, making the-movement of goods, even-more-difficult. Numerous-tailored-recommendations included: preventive technical/engineering-measures (mechanization, and rearrangement of workplace); and organizational/administrative-measures (job-rotation, task-specific training, proper-machine and plant maintenance, including Total Productive Maintenance, and good housekeeping), among-others. The-study also-offered a-review of theoretical-background on: Standards for manual-handling; NIOSH-lifting- equation; Preferred-position and zone, for safe-lifting; and Lifting-Principles. The-study is important; foremost, for the-mill-administration, as knowing the-hazards is a-paramount-step on the-road, to their-eradication, or reduction. Furthermore, this-unfunded-study also contributed (in its-small-way) to the-body of knowledge, on the-subject-matter.   Keywords: lifting, heavy load, awkward posture, repetitive tasks, MH, MMH

Electromyography analysis during lifting tasks: a pilot study

Manual Material Handling (MMH) involves lifting, bending, and twisting motions of the torso. Poor lifting technique is often considered a major risk factor in low back injury associated with manual lifting tasks. Currently, there is little work on the effects of lifting on the Malaysian population. The MMH activities that was designed with the different lifting heights, frequency, weight of loads and the effect on of biceps and triceps muscle contraction of the subjects during the lifting tasks were studied. The parameters involved are weight of the loads lifted, height of the loads lifted and lifting frequency as the independent variables. Whereas the dependent variable is Electromyography (EMG) signal. The weight loads are varying from 10kg up to 24kg and the heights of the loads travels from the floor to 70cm and 130cm heights. The frequency of lifting is set to 1 lift and 6 lifts per minute. 14 healthy male and female subjects were recruited in this study. The questionnaires and consent form were used to identify the health condition of the subjects before performing the lifting tasks. The EMG activity was recorded and collected from biceps and triceps muscles using the Shimmer EMG system. This method is used in determining the maximum acceptable weight limit (MAWL) that can be lifted by the subjects in the lifting tasks. This research aims to design a lifting equation that suits for Malaysian people. Therefore, the effects of different manual lifting tasks on Malaysian physiological limits need to be identified

The Development Of A Methodology For Assessing Industrial Workstations Using Computer-Aided Ergonomics And Digital Human Models

This study examined an existing industrial workstation at an automobile assembly plant using computer aided ergonomics and digital human models. The purpose of this evaluation was the development of a methodology useful for evaluating workstations to identify potential design issues that could result in musculoskeletal injury in a real work environment. An ergonomic risk assessment was conducted on a lifting task while being performed both manually and using an assist device. JACK digital human modeling and ergonomics software were used to conduct a computer-based ergonomic analysis. Four analysis tools in JACK (static strength analysis, rapid upper limb assessment, metabolic energy expenditure analysis and NIOSH lift analysis) were used to evaluate the potential injury risk of the current method of task performance and there is any difference between using and not using the assist device. Muscle activity was measured by electromyography (EMG) to identify physiological indicators of fatigue. Also, Borg¡¯s Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale was administered to obtain psychophysical data. Results of this study revealed that there were relative stresses on the trunk and arm areas when the task was performed manually. The results also suggest although using the assist device decreased injury risk potentially, use of the assist device had an adverse impact on the productivity of the assembly line. Based on the findings of this study, the methodology used appears to be an appropriate ergonomic analysis tool for assessing and predicting potential risks associated with the design of industrial workstations. Furthermore this methodology can be extended to designing and redesigning industrial workstations

Hum Factors

Objective:A computer vision method was developed for estimating the trunk flexion angle, angular speed, and angular acceleration by extracting simple features from the moving image during lifting.Background:Trunk kinematics is an important risk factor for lower back pain, but is often difficult to measure by practitioners for lifting risk assessments.Methods:Mannequins representing a wide range of hand locations for different lifting postures were systematically generated using the University of Michigan 3DSSPP software. A bounding box was drawn tightly around each mannequin and regression models estimated trunk angles. The estimates were validated against human posture data for 216 lifts collected using a laboratory-grade motion capture system and synchronized video recordings. Trunk kinematics, based on bounding box dimensions drawn around the subjects in the video recordings of the lifts, were modeled for consecutive video frames.Results:The mean absolute difference between predicted and motion capture measured trunk angles was 14.65\ub0, and there was a significant linear relationship between predicted and measured trunk angles (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.001). The training error for the kinematics model was 2.34\ub0.Conclusion:Using simple computer vision extracted features, the bounding box method indirectly estimated trunk angle and associated kinematics, albeit with limited precision.Application:This computer vision method may be implemented on hand-held devices such as smartphones to facilitate automatic lifting risk assessments in the workplace.R01OH011024/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/R01 OH011024/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/T42OH008434/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/T42 OH008434/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States

Effect of Lifting Weight, Height and Asymmetry on Biomechanical Loading during Manual Lifting

Introduction: In India, physical manual activities in asymmetrical postures overtax the human musculoskeletal system, which may exceed workers' physical limitations. Thus the purpose of this study was to examine the physical stresses experienced by the subject, based on subjective and biomechanical loading estimates while lifting weights to various heights, in an asymmetric direction and propose the safe limit for manual lifting. Methods: A laboratory experiment was conducted utilizing twelve male subjects in the age group of 20 to 25 years who lifted 5 different weights between 10 to 20 kg from below the knee to various lifting heights (below the knee to ear level). The lifting task was performed in three asymmetric angles (45, 90, and 135-degree) using free-style lifting techniques. An ANOVA technique was used to analyze the influence of three parameters (Lifting weight, lifting height and asymmetric angle) on two responses; subjective estimates and biomechanical loading.  The subjective estimate was obtained using workload assessment by body discomfort chart. The biomechanical loading (loading rate) was estimated from ground reaction force data, obtained from the force plate. Results: Both the responses; subjective estimates and biomechanical loading followed a consistent pattern in predicting physical stress. The result revealed that lifting weights with higher destination heights and asymmetry angles increased the physiological workload and discomfort. Experiments have shown that the loading rate is reduced by 8 to 10% for each increase in the 45-degree angle of asymmetry. Conclusion: In general, safe lifting of 15 kg weight up to ear level and 15 kg weight up to shoulder level are recommended for 45- and 90-degree asymmetry respectively to prevent any chronic injuries. A maximum of 12.5 kg lifting weight up to shoulder level is also proposed.

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon)

BackgroundBiomechanical, psychosocial and individual risk factors for low back disorder have been studied extensively however few researchers have examined all three risk factors. The objective of this was to develop a low back disorder risk model in furniture distribution workers using biomechanical, psychosocial and individual risk factors.MethodsThis was a prospective study with a six month follow-up time. There were 454 subjects at 9 furniture distribution facilities enrolled in the study. Biomechanical exposure was evaluated using the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (2001) lifting threshold limit values for low back injury risk. Psychosocial and individual risk factors were evaluated via questionnaires. Low back health functional status was measured using the lumbar motion monitor. Low back disorder cases were defined as a loss of low back functional performance of 120.14 or more.FindingsThere were 92 cases of meaningful loss in low back functional performance and 185 non cases. A multivariate logistic regression model included baseline functional performance probability, facility, perceived workload, intermediated reach distance number of exertions above threshold limit values, job tenure manual material handling, and age combined to provide a model sensitivity of 68.5% and specificity of 71.9%. Interpretation: The results of this study indicate which biomechanical, individual and psychosocial risk factors are important as well as how much of each risk factor is too much resulting in increased risk of low back disorder among furniture distribution workers.R01 OH003914/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United StatesUL1 RR025755/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States(5 R01 OH03914-03/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States2013-10-14T00:00:00Z21955915PMC37964408873vault:764