Investigation of ergonomic risk factors among male workers in a medical manufacturing company in northern Malaysia

The medical manufacturing industry is currently one of the sectors with great potential growth in Malaysia, which offers numerous job opportunities to local and foreign workers. The growing proportion of workers in this industry means that a large number of workers are potentially exposed to ergonomic risk factors at the workplace, which may consequently affect their health. Thus, this study was carried out is to investigate the ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among male workers in a medical manufacturing company in northern Malaysia. Eight industrial workers (n = 8) were recruited from two Plastic Technology (PT) departments to participate in this study. Observations were made by recording the participants performing two tasks (manual lifting of containers and bags of chemicals) using a video camera at the PT1 and PT3 departments. The participants’ personal information and their job-related characteristics were first collected using a demographic questionnaire. Next, the Cornell Musculoskeletal and Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers while Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) were used to assess the most common risk factors during the lifting operations. The results showed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the male workers at the medical manufacturing company was at the lower back (83.17%), upper back (4.38%), right shoulder (3.49%), and left shoulder (3.49%). Based on the results of the MAC, 100% of the participants were at high risk of injury from postures in the vertical lift zones, torso twisting, and sideways bending. In addition, 87.5 and 62.5% of the participants were at high risk of injury based on their hand distance from the lower back and grip on the load, respectively. The results of this study can serve as a guideline to implement interventional ergonomics programmes at the workplace and improve the musculoskeletal health of workers in the medical manufacturing industry in Malaysia

Total Productive Maintenance (Tpm) And Socio· Technical Aspects From Malaysian Manufacturing Industries Perspective

Penyelenggaraan adalah suatu fungsi penting dalam sesebuah kilang pembuatan. Kilang pembuatan kini terdedah dengan perubahan paradigma yang baru dan pantas. Strategi penyelenggaraan seperti Penyelenggaraan Produktif Menyeluruh (TPM) harus diberi perhatian yang sewajamya oleh industri pembuatan. Selain dari itu, aspek sosioteknikal juga memainkan peranan penting di dalam sesebuah organisasi. Merujuk kepada perkara di atas, kajian ini menyelidik hubungan di antara dua praktis TPM iaitu Penyelenggaraan Autonomi (AM) dan Penyelenggaraan Terancang (PM) dengan sepuluh aspek sosio-teknikal iaitu: [1] keyakinan; [2] daya kepimpinan; [3] komunikasi; [4] motivasi; [5] kerja berpasukan; [6] sikap; [7] latihan; [8] pemberian kuasa; [9] kepunyaan; dan [10] pengkayaan tugasan. Maintenance is a vital function in manufacturing industries. Manufacturing industries are exposed to newer and rapidly changing paradigms. A well-conceived maintenance strategy such as Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) should deserve more attention by the manufacturing plants. Apart form that, the socio-technical aspects also playas an important role in the organisations. Referring to the above matter, this study investigates the interrelatedness between two TPM practises; Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Planned Maintenance (PM) with ten socio-technical aspects which are: [1) confidence; [2) leadership; [3) communication; [4] motivation; [51 teamwork; [6) attitudes; [7] training; [81 empowerment; [91 ownership; and [10) job enrichment

The Treatment Impact of Partial Body Weight Supported Treadmill (PBWST) on Cerebral Palsy Kid Using Physio-Treadmill (PhyMill): A Case Study

Cerebral Palsy (CP) prevalence has remained stable in the global population over the last few years. This case study aims to examine the impact of the Partial Body Weight Supported Treadmill (PBWST) on gait control in kids with cerebral palsy. Kids with CP completed a gait training protocol two-session between two weeks’ intervals. Outcome measures included a Berg balancing scale, Dynamic gait index, Katz index of independence in activities of daily living, and several steps. The individual results indicated there were improvements in balance, dynamic gait, and step count. After the second session, the number of steps improved. The step length of the second session is better. There were more active movements during the second session. Additional research is needed to determine the treatment parameters and the long-term effects of PBWST on gait performance in CP children

An ergonomic perspective of user need on physio-treadmill (phymill) criteria: knowledge and awareness of cerebral palsy among future parents

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability. This study focused to explore the future parents’ perspective on the Physio-Treadmill (PhyMill) for the kid with CP, particularly how ergonomics influences the product. The study was carried out by a quantitative survey and involves 55 participants. The participants have answered a self-administered which consists of general information, knowledge awareness on cerebral palsy, product criteria and opinions. The result shows about 55% of participants have a poor level of awareness and 69% of participants have zero knowledge of CP treatment. However, based on the product criteria, most of the participants agreed, the present PhyMill shows well in functionality. Hence, this study emphasized the lack of awareness and knowledge of the disease and treatment among future parents. Besides, the PhyMill need to improve from the potential user recommendation as ergonomics consideration on medical devices

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) modelling of transient heat transfer in pulsed laser ablation of Al and associated free-surface problems

A Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical model is developed to simulate pulsed-laser ablation processes for micro-machining. Heat diffusion behaviour of a specimen under the action of nanosecond pulsed lasers can be described analytically by using complementary error function solutions of second-order differential equations. However, their application is limited to cases without loss of material at the surface. Compared to conventional mesh-based techniques, as a novel meshless simulation method, SPH is ideally suited to applications with highly non-linear and explosive behaviour in laser ablation. However, little is known about the suitability of using SPH for the modelling of laser-material interactions with multiple phases at the micro scale. The present work investigates SPH modelling of pulsed-laser ablation of aluminium where the laser is applied directly to the free-surface boundary of the specimen. Having first assessed the performance of standard SPH surface treatments for functions commonly used to describe laser heating, the heat conduction behaviour of a new SPH methodology is then evaluated through a number of test cases for single- and multiple-pulse laser heating of aluminium showing excellent agreement when compared with an analytical solution. Simulation of real ablation processes, however, requires the model to capture the removal of material from the surface and its subsequent effects on the laser heating process. Hence, the SPH model for describing the transient behaviour of nanosecond laser ablation is validated with a number of experimental and reference results reported in the literature. The SPH model successfully predicts the material ablation depth profiles over a wide range of laser fluences 4–23 J/cm2 and pulse durations 6–10 ns, and also predicts the transient behaviour of the ejected material during the laser ablation process. Unlike conventional mesh-based methods, the SPH model was not only able to provide the thermo-physical properties of the ejected particles, but also the effect of the interaction between them as well as the direction and the pattern of the ejection

Development of Physiotherapy-Treadmill (PhyMill) as Rehabilitation Technology Tools for Kid with Cerebral Palsy

Main problems with the motor function for Cerebral Palsy (CP) kids are delayed or arrested on motor development. Therapeutics typically emphasize sound-inhibitory exercises, balance training, and preparatory tasks while walking, sitting, and standing to enhance the functioning of children with CP. The treadmill training is used for repeated tasks-specific walking. The focus is to increase the strength of lower extremity, walking speed, or endurance. In this study, we developed the physio-treadmill device for CP kids called PhyMill. This PhyMill is mainly constructed from the aluminum profile connected to connector made by polylactic acid (PLA) material equipped with an automatic control system. The height of the device can be adjusted according to the user’s height. PhyMill offers three operating modes, the first one allowing you to control the movement of the patient forward and backward. The height of the device can be adjusted automatically according to the user’s height is the second mode. The third mode is a special display screen to attracts the attention of the patient. The protection when using this device is also highlighted by supporting the user with an adjustable harness. Treadmill exercise for non-ambulatory children with CP as rehabilitation technology tools is a promising technique for the treatment of partial body weight support

The relationship between anthropometry and hand grip strength among older Malaysian people

Physiological changes and loss of hand grip strength are natural consequences of the ageing process. Previous studies have shown that physiological changes will affect the hand grip strength of elderly people. However, to date, there are no studies which have developed models that predicts the hand grip strength of elderly Malaysians as a function of anthropometric dimensions. Knowledge on the correlation between these variables is crucial in order to create a suitable living environment as well as designing and developing products that cater specifically to the needs of the elderly. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine the correlation between anthropometric dimensions and hand grip strength in a representative sample of the elderly population in Malaysia and developing the regression models that predicts the hand grip strength of elderly Malaysian males and females

E-Learning, COVID-19, the challenges and way forward

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many existing practices into new compelling norms, where other universities also shared the same experience. The education sector is forced to shift their teaching to e-learning and blended modes. Even before COVID-19, these style of teachings have been adopted, but not well adapted by many academics. With the pandemic not showing any slowdown, academics and students have to adapt to this rapid change. This has generated several challenges and opportunities for both parties, academics and students

The Relationship Between Anthropometry and Hand Grip Strength Among Elderly Malaysians

It is known that the ageing process will result in a decrease in anthropometric dimensions as well as loss of hand grip strength, which is natural among elderly people. Previous studies have shown that the decrease in anthropometric dimensions may influence hand grip strength of elderly people. Hence, this paper seeks to determine the relationship between anthropometric dimensions and hand grip strength among elderly Malaysians. A total of 112 elderly subjects aged 60 years and above residing in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, are recruited in this study. The subjects comprise 56 males (age range 60–79 years, mean: 66.88, SD: 5.35) and 56 females (age range: 60–82 years, mean: 66.98, SD: 5.16). In this study, 38 anthropometric dimensions are measured, along with hand grip strength. The anthropometric dimensions are measured using a professional standard anthropometry set whereas hand grip strength (in Newtons) is measured using a dynamometer. The mean values, standard deviations and percentiles are determined and the data are analysed by correlation analysis. The results show that there is a significant correlation between the following anthropometric dimensions (stature, sitting hip breadth, wrist circumference, hand circumference and heel ankle circumference) and hand grip strength. These findings of this study are indeed useful for product designers to design and develop ergonomic hand-held products for elderly Malaysians

Effects of aircraft noise on residents nearby a Malaysian airport

In this study, the effects of aircraft noise on the residents living nearby Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kelantan, Malaysia, were investigated. A questionnaire survey involving 60 participants revealed that 46.67% agreed that aircraft noise is a source of disturbance in their daily routine. On-site noise level measurements were carried out over a 2-week period at seven locations (P1–P7) surrounding the airport, where each location represents a different distance from the noise source. The daily average noise levels were within 50–65 dB(A), which exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum indoor noise level and recommended maximum outdoor noise level of 35 and 55 dB(A), respectively. However, the daily average noise levels were lower than permissible exposure limit of 90 dB(A). Based on the results, it can be concluded that exposure to the aircraft noise may affect the quality of life of nearby residents in the long term