Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-00337, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Chester, Victoria (University of New Brunswick)|Chester, Victoria (Université du Nouveau-Brunswick), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : New Brunswick|Nouveau-Brunswick, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : The forest industry is a major economic sector in Canada. It is also one of the most dangerous industries for_x000D_
workers. The use of mechanized mobile forestry harvesting machines has successfully reduced the incidence of_x000D_
injuries in forest workers related to manual labor. However, these machines have also created additional_x000D_
concerns, including a high machine operation learning curve, increased length of the workday, repetitive strain_x000D_
injury, cognitive load, physical and mental fatigue, and increased postural loads due to sitting in a confined_x000D_
space. Measuring and analyzing these factors is critical for employers to facilitate appropriate work practices,_x000D_
reduce the risk of injury, develop optimal recruitment criteria for employees, and establish design guidelines_x000D_
for mechanized mobile forestry machines. However, ergonomic field studies of this industry are lacking mainly_x000D_
due to the difficulties in obtaining comprehensive data while operators are working in the field._x000D_
At JDI, harvester operators are trained on simulation equipment prior to working in the field. This provides an_x000D_
excellent opportunity for researchers to measure biomechanical and physiological data of operators under_x000D_
standard training procedures during simulated Canadian forest harvesting operations. The purpose of this_x000D_
collaborative study is to examine the effects of worker skill level and movement training speed on harvesting_x000D_
performance using a forestry simulator. The information collected will help to determine those factors that_x000D_
separate skill levels of operators, optimal training speeds, and length of training required to bring new operators_x000D_
to an efficient skill level effectively. Improved training procedures and knowledge of the physical and mental_x000D_
demands on workers will lead to highly trained and efficient personnel, reduced risk of injury, and optimal_x000D_
work protocols. Knowledge gained from this work will contribute to our current understanding of motor_x000D_
learning and biomechanics and will be highly applicable to various other tasks and industries. This research_x000D_
collaboration will provide HQP training to an undergraduate and graduate student, and the lab manager in the_x000D_
fields of engineering and kinesiology., program purpose french : The forest industry is a major economic sector in Canada. It is also one of the most dangerous industries for_x000D_
workers. The use of mechanized mobile forestry harvesting machines has successfully reduced the incidence of_x000D_
injuries in forest workers related to manual labor. However, these machines have also created additional_x000D_
concerns, including a high machine operation learning curve, increased length of the workday, repetitive strain_x000D_
injury, cognitive load, physical and mental fatigue, and increased postural loads due to sitting in a confined_x000D_
space. Measuring and analyzing these factors is critical for employers to facilitate appropriate work practices,_x000D_
reduce the risk of injury, develop optimal recruitment criteria for employees, and establish design guidelines_x000D_
for mechanized mobile forestry machines. However, ergonomic field studies of this industry are lacking mainly_x000D_
due to the difficulties in obtaining comprehensive data while operators are working in the field._x000D_
At JDI, harvester operators are trained on simulation equipment prior to working in the field. This provides an_x000D_
excellent opportunity for researchers to measure biomechanical and physiological data of operators under_x000D_
standard training procedures during simulated Canadian forest harvesting operations. The purpose of this_x000D_
collaborative study is to examine the effects of worker skill level and movement training speed on harvesting_x000D_
performance using a forestry simulator. The information collected will help to determine those factors that_x000D_
separate skill levels of operators, optimal training speeds, and length of training required to bring new operators_x000D_
to an efficient skill level effectively. Improved training procedures and knowledge of the physical and mental_x000D_
demands on workers will lead to highly trained and efficient personnel, reduced risk of injury, and optimal_x000D_
work protocols. Knowledge gained from this work will contribute to our current understanding of motor_x000D_
learning and biomechanics and will be highly applicable to various other tasks and industries. This research_x000D_
collaboration will provide HQP training to an undergraduate and graduate student, and the lab manager in the_x000D_
fields of engineering and kinesiology., agreement title english : The investigation of human factors that affect work productivity among Canadian forest workers, agreement title french : The investigation of human factors that affect work productivity among Canadian forest workers, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada