bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Psychophysiological Models to Mental Workload
Authors: Backs Richard W.
Published: January 2012

Psychophysiology has contributed much to the development and understanding of the mental workload concept. Recent advances in theoretical models of autonomic nervous system functioning have the potential to increase the practical utility of psychophysiological measures in workload assessment. For example, “modes of autonomic control” can explain why psychophysiological measures sometimes dissociate from performance and subjective workload measures, and from each other when multiple measures are examined simultaneously. Further, these models may provide the neurophysiological structure to strengthen inferences about the relation between the psychophysiological measures and the underlying psychological processing of task demand manipulations.
Visual Detection with Hyperstereoscopic Video for Aerial Search and Rescue
Authors: Cheung Kit Man , Milgram Paul
Published: January 2012

This paper summarises the results of two laboratory studies conducted to explore the potential benefits of hyperstereoscopic video for aerial search and rescue (SAR). The studies were conducted using a single camera hyperstereoscopic video system (designed for aerial SAR) as the test platform. The first study was designed to evaluate potential benefits of hyperstereopsis provided by large viewpoint separation. It was found that individual differences play an important role in defining a possible “optimal” viewpoint separation for the system. The second study was conducted to test the effect of increased viewpoint separation on tolerance of vertical disparity. The results corroborated expectations that increased viewpoint separation would reduce vertical disparity tolerance. Guidelines are given for future modifications and system implementation.
Effect of Surface Characteristics on Alignment of Graphic and Real Objects in a Stereoscopic Augmented Reality Environment
Authors: Hou Ming , Milgram Paul
Published: January 2012

A virtual pointer (VP) alignment task at designated probe points on a cylinder real object surface was carried out in a stereoscopic augmented reality environment. The object was to evaluate subjects' sensitivity to surface texture, target position on the curved surface, VP orientation relative to the surface, and binocular disparity. The main findings were: a) surface texture had a significant effect, with highly textured surfaces facilitating less error than low textured surfaces; b) target position had a significant influence, with the central position relative to the observer being better for locating surface positions than the off-centre position. Results are discussed in terms of hypothesised visual perceptual interactions.
Visualizing Model-Based Predictive Controllers
Authors: Guerlain Stephanie , Jamieson Greg , Bullemer Peter
Published: January 2012

One common problem with information displays, particularly in process control, is that relevant data is often scattered across several, separate displays that obscure important relationships and fail to show event information. The current displays used for model-based predictive controllers demonstrate several of the problems that this kind of a design can incur. It is hard to get a good sense of the recent, current and near-future status of the controller (situation awareness), and it is difficult to make informed decision when making changes to the controller (putting data into context). This forces users to navigate around a virtual workspace and attempt to compile the data necessary to make an informed conclusion. We have applied several design principles to show how it is possible to re-represent data into hierarchical data layers that support the cognitive tasks of monitoring, diagnosis, and control. This design forms a coherent, coordinated workspace which helps orient users to problems in the controller, with direct navigation to supporting details.
Control Room Ergonomic Design: Brazilian Case Studies
Authors: Santos Venétia , Zamberlan Maria Cristina Palmer Lima
Published: January 2012

This article intends to present the role of Ergonomics as a support to automation processes on companies by presenting ten ergonomic studies for control rooms in public and private Brazilian companies (Hydroelectric, Petrochemical, Steel, Subway Trains and Cellulose industries).

These projects were developed within the last ten years by ERGON Projects involved the diagnoses of the existing situation up to the ergonomic design of the future work situation.

The first study was in 1987 and was restricted to the ergonomic work analyses in a hydroelectric plant control room. It was then part of a pioneer ergonomic design activity in our industry. Furthermore, the other studies involved designing for work activity transformation.

In this article we will debate on the context of such studies, the boundaries of ergonomic design, the ergonomic methodology evolution and the obtained results.
Designing to Support Adaptation
Authors: Rasmussen Jens
Published: January 2012

Humans in work have a remarkable ability to cope with complex environments, by inventing clever strategies that did not match what work planners considered ‘rational behavior.’ Support systems therefore cannot be based on task analysis. Instead we should identify the natural constraints of the work-space so that we can support human adaptation through the design of interfaces and work organizations that leave actors free to explore all degrees of freedom available.
Design of Ecological Information Systems for Co-Operative Work
Authors: Pejtersen Annelise Mark
Published: January 2012

Most work on ecological interfaces has addressed process control and aviation systems driven by constraints from physical laws. This paper illustrates the design process of a system driven by users' intentions. It raises some problems that occur in the design of ecological systems that support co-operative work that is driven both by constraints from organisational policies and from users' intentions.
Testing the Impact of Instrumentation Location and Reliability on Ecological Interface Design: Fault Diagnosis Performance
Authors: Reising Dal Vernon C. , Sanderson Penelope M.
Published: January 2012

Ecological Interface Design (EID) is a recent philosophy for designing the visual displays of human-machine interfaces. An EID interface displays the higher-order relations and properties of a work domain so that adaptive operator problem solving is better supported for both normal and abnormal system conditions. Previous empirical studies of EID have assumed that the raw data required to derive and communicate the higher-order information would be available and reliable. The present research empirically evaluates the impact of having incomplete data on the effectiveness of an EID interface, compared to a more traditional piping and instrumentation interface. The research also addresses recent criticism directed at previous empirical studies of EID is also addressed. Results suggest that diagnostic performance using an ecological interface is compromised only when the interface is supported by a minimal set of instrumentation. However, an ecological interface supported by maximal instrumentation, on average, leads to the best diagnostic performance.
The Wrightcad: A Configural Flight Display
Authors: Flach John M. , Jacques Paul , Patrick Darby , Langenderfer Jeff , van Genderen Evonne
Published: January 2012

Despite the introduction of “glass” interfaces into the cockpit, there has been little change in how information is configured within flight displays. This is particularly true for general aviation. The WrightCAD design is introduced as a novel way to integrate information into a configural primary flight display. The goal of the WrightCAD design is to take advantage of the opportunity for innovation offered by the introduction of the “glass” cockpit while minimizing negative transfer that might result from a radical change in how information is presented to pilots.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) in Agriculture: Physical Risk Factors Dominate in Female Workers
Authors: Vrielink Huub H.E. Oude
Published: January 2012

The prevalence of symptoms of the neck, shoulders and arms of any duration and severity, indicated by RSI, was investigated in female workers of 3 different agricultural branches. RSI prevalence varied from 22% in pig farming to 61–65% in mushroom and flowering culture. Physical workload factors that are known to be risk factors for RSI were different for the 3 groups. The groups also differed with respect to psychosocial workload and personal risk factors, but these differences were less pronounced. The combined data of the 3 groups were analysed. Each of the risk factors on a one-by-one basis correlated with the prevalence of symptoms. Multivariate analysis demonstrated only the physical load factors ‘repetitive movements with hands, arms or neck’, ‘prolonged static activity of hands, arms or neck‘, and ‘force exertion by hands or arms’ correlated significantly and positively with the prevalence of RSI. Model predictions showed a linear relation between the probability of having RSI and subgroups of increasing repetitiveness. The predictions appeared to correspond fairly well with the actual prevalence of RSI in these subgroups. An increase in repetitiveness in combination with an increase in force was shown to result in a disproportional increase in probability of having RSI, except for the highest group of repetitiveness. It is concluded that physical workload factors dominate in the relation between work and RSI in agriculture if multiple branches are considered simultaneously. Given the limitation of only 3 branches included yet and only women involved, it is stated that both research and prevention strategies should be directed towards modifying combined physical workload.
Ergonomics Interventions in Agricultural Development Projects
Authors: O'Neill D H
Published: January 2012

World population growth is demanding ever-increasing production and productivity in the agricultural industry to meet the world's food needs. Whilst the biological sciences make the major contribution through agronomy, crop protection, harvesting and storage techniques, many of the advances in these spheres of research and development do not meet their full potential because the associated human factors issues are not fully addressed. The ergonomics needs of the three major levels of agricultural enterprise - smallholder (subsistence) agriculture, small-scale commercial farming and large-scale commercial farming - are considered and the nature of appropriate interventions for each of these levels outlined. Examples of potential interventions, based on ergonomics research and development are presented.
Saddle Seats for Tractor Drivers – A Conceptual Study
Authors: Öberg Kurt , Torén Anna , Hansson Malin
Published: January 2012

Tractor drivers have quite often musculoskeletal problems because of bad sitting postures. It has been found that a good sitting posture is the one obtained when sitting on a horse with the hips in a muscle balanced rest position of 45°. A natural curvature of the spine is acquired as well as a perfectly balanced position in which the body obtains a good position of the centre of gravity. To improve the sitting posture of the driver of agricultural tractors, different types of saddle seats were adapted to fit in a tractor, and tested upon their comfort, work function and sitting posture. The saddle seats occupied less space in the horizontal plane compared to the conventional chair, and they were rotating freely during driving. Ten subjects employed as tractor drivers volunteered for the study. They harrowed and ploughed with three different saddle seats and one conventional tractor chair. Questions on experienced chair comfort and work function were asked. The drivers were video filmed from above and from the side in order to register their sitting posture. On a scale from 1 to 5 the conventional chair received a mean score of 3.6 and the saddle seats received mean score around 2. The difference is regarded to depend on differences in seat comfort. The saddle seats free rotation was mainly used during ploughing and reduced the spinal twisting 50%. The seat height adjusted by the tractor drivers was for the saddle seats 13 cm higher than for the conventional chair. This meant that the drivers received a sitting posture advantageous for the spine curvature. A future design of a tractor chair should have the possibility of varying raised sitting posture and free rotation. The seat should have a shape which gives a better seat comfort than any of the tested saddle seats.
Ergonomics Interventions in the Manual Harvest of Wine Grapes
Authors: Janowitz Ira , Tejeda Diana G , Miles John A , Duraj Victor , Duraj Victor , Meyers James M , Faucett Julia
Published: January 2012

Winegrape operations, especially at harvest, produce a high incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, predominantly involving back injury. The Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center of the University of California initiated a study of vineyard operations and recruited four cooperating growers representing 191 permanent workers. The goal was to develop, field-test, and evaluate interventions to reduce ergonomics risk factors for WRMSD's during winegrape harvest. We assessed pre- and post-intervention injury records and other indicators of musculoskeletal symptoms to monitor the impact of interventions on involved workers, and used biomechanical, metabolic, and postural analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches for handling cut grapes during vineyard harvest. We introduced a smaller, lighter tote bin with improved handles, reducing the average full bin load from 25.5 kg to 20.9 kg. The proportion of workers reporting pain lasting more than a week dropped from 61% to 26%. Biomechanical and metabolic assessments indicated reduced risk for WRMSD's. We are currently field-testing a conveyor system to reduce the height at which the bins are dumped.
Ergonomics in Organic Farming
Authors: Lundqvist P.
Published: January 2012

The main principle of organic agriculture is that it refrains from the use of fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. In a Swedish project the working environment in organic farming is evaluated. The mail-in survey shows that the positive aspects of organic farming involves that they do not have to handle pesticides or fertilizers as well as and a lot of satisfaction from working with the nature in a more natural way. Increased work load is the most common negative aspect of organic farming. Especially the weed control leads to more work, both manual and machine operated. The organic farming also leads to more labor input and some new job opportunities, mainly seasonal work. The need for further education, improved extension service and research in the organic farming is on the list of demands among the participants in the study. The future needs a new type of organic farming which involves and highlight the working conditions for farmers and farm workers at the same level of importance as the present concern for the external environment, the animal welfare and the food quality!
Studies of Time of Farmers' Exposure to Hazardous Factors in the Working Environment on Polish Family Farms
Authors: Molocznik A.
Published: January 2012

In order to determine human exposure to hazardous factors of the working environment it is necessary to recognize, apart from their level and intensity, the duration of exposure. This parameter is difficult to measure because of changeable exposure in agriculture, where the work cycle is prolonged to one year, and the daily working time in conditions of exposure to hazardous factors changes irregularly from one day to the next. Studies conducted on typical mixed-production family farms in Poland showed that dust and elements of the thermal environment are the most frequent factors accompanying agricultural work, followed by contact with biological hazards, noise and vibration; whereas the working time in conditions of exposure to chemical agents is the shortest.
The Relationship between Task Performance, Reaction Time, and Perceived Urgency in Nonverbal Auditory Warnings
Authors: Edworthy Judy , Hellier Elizabeth , Walters Kathryn , Weedon Ben , Adams Austin
Published: January 2012

Two experiments are described in which participants were required to respond to auditory warnings known to vary in their perceived urgency. In the first, they simply responded to a warning of high, medium or low urgency whilst performing a simultaneous tracking task. Responses to the high urgency warning were faster than to the others. In the second experiment participants carried out an addition task on hearing the warning, and the warnings were either matched or mismatched to the difficulty of the task. Results show that responses to the most urgent warnings were again faster, and also that the degree of mismatching between warning and task degraded performance in some conditions.
Intended Carefulness Ratings for Voiced Warning Statements
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Barzegar Rana S.
Published: January 2012

The parameters that affect the efficacy of voiced warnings have only recently begun to be investigated. The current study examines the effects on intended carefulness ratings for voiced warning statements considering the following factors: sex of speaker, sex of participant, voice style (monotone, emotional, whisper), and sound level (low, high). Warning statements voiced in the emotional voice style and in a higher sound level produced the higher intended carefulness ratings. Implications for the design of voiced warnings are discussed.
Using Psychophysics to Design Speech Warnings
Authors: Hellier E. , Weedon B. , Edworthy J. , Walters K.
Published: January 2012

An experiment is reported which applies psychophysical scaling techniques to the design of speech warnings. Participants used magnitude estimation to rate the perceived urgency of computer generated warning signal words (Deadly, Danger, Warning, Caution, Note) that varied systematically in speed. Stevens (1957) Power Law was used to model the relationship between changes in the acoustic parameter and changes in the perceived urgency of a particular signal word. The value for warning designers of the power function exponent, which quantifies and predicts the effect of acoustic changes on perceived urgency, is discussed.
The Effect of Auditory Display Configuration and Physical Load on Message Intelligibility for the Dismounted Soldier
Authors: Haas Ellen C. , de Pontbriand Rene , Mello Robert , Patton John , Solounias Alexander
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which different types of audio display technology affected the ability of the physically active, load-carrying dismounted soldier to understand and respond to multiple radio communications in the battlefield. Independent variables were different types of auditory display configuration (existing monaural and spatial audio), number of simultaneous talkers in each simulated radio message (two, three, or four), and soldier rucksack load (22 kg or 33 kg). The dependent variables included the response time and number of accurate responses to the radio messages, soldier ratings of mental workload, and soldier physiological workload. Subjects were nine (9) male Marine Corps Infantry personnel and three (3) male Army Infantry personnel. Results indicated that spatial auditory displays enabled soldiers to identify a significantly greater number of simulated radio communications, and respond to these communications more quickly. Message response time increased and identification accuracy decreased as the number of simultaneous talkers increased. Rucksack weight was a predominant variable in physical and mental workload. Soldiers showed significantly greater physiological energy expenditure and significantly greater mental workload when they carried the heavier rucksack. The results indicated that whatever the load carried by the soldier, the speed and accuracy of understanding and responding to multiple radio communications were enhanced by presentation in different spatial locations.
Auditory Countermeasures to Drowsiness in Applied Settings
Authors: Kalsher Michael J. , Fleshman Jeffrey J. , Chiang Mark Cheng-Ching
Published: January 2012

In this study we compared the effectiveness of three different configurations of auditory stimuli (versus no sound) in restoring alertness among participants performing a computer-based vigilance task. The vigilance task used in this study has been shown to reliably produce performance decrements in as little as ten to twelve minutes. Performance on the task was used as a proxy measure for driving, as both activities produce decrements in human performance over time. One of the sound configurations (alerting sounds) was predicted to have restorative effects on measures of alertness and performance, whereas the two comparison sound configurations were hypothesized to exert detrimental effects on the same measures. As predicted, performance was enhanced following presentation of the alerting sounds. Conversely, vigilance performance continued to decline following presentation of the comparison sounds or no sound (control). Results also showed that the decrement in mood observed across all of the groups was smallest for participants exposed to the alerting sounds, suggesting a potential mood buffering effect of these sounds. The implications of these results in the reduction of driver fatigue and accidents are discussed.
Automatic Speech Recognition, Noise and Workload
Authors: Noyes Jan M. , Baber Chris , Leggatt Andrew P.
Published: January 2012

Despite the increasing use of technology in the developed world, most computer communications still take place via a QWERTY keyboard and a mouse. The use of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) whereby individuals can ‘talk’ to their computers has yet to be realised to any great extent. This is despite the benefits relating to greater efficiency, use in adverse environments and in the ‘hands-eyes busy’ situation. There are now affordable ASR products in the marketplace, and many people are able to buy these products and try ASR for themselves. However, anecdotal reports suggest that these same people will use ASR for a few days or weeks and then revert to conventional interaction techniques; only a hardy few appear to persist long enough to reap the benefits. Thus, it is our contention that ASR is a commercially viable technology but that it still requires further development to make a significant contribution to usability. Admittedly, there are some very successful applications that have used ASR for a number of decades, but these are often characterised by relatively small vocabularies, dedicated users and non-threatening situations; typical applications are in offices (Noyes & Frankish, 1989) or for disabled users (Noyes & Frankish, 1992). Given that Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) could employ ASR with limited vocabulary and dedicated users, the use of ASR in this application is considered here. The principle difference between ASR for AFV and previous applications is the environmental conditions in which the technology will be used.
Technology Based Solutions for Process Management in Aviation Maintenance
Authors: Johnson William B. , Millians Jeffery T.
Published: January 2012

A prototype electronic data management/product data management (EDM/PDM) software system was created using off-the-shelf software. The system was designed to replace the current manual process of service order work instruction deck creation at a large aircraft maintenance station. Results of the evaluation showed the potential for a savings of approximately 32 person-hours (80%) per service order in the planning stage alone. The current process requires an average of 40 person-hours while the prototype electronic process requires an average of eight person-hours.
Power Systems Human Factors/Ergonomics Activities in the United States
Authors: Parsons Stuart O. , Seminara Joseph L. , O'Hara John M.
Published: January 2012

The field of Power Systems Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E) in the United States has been growing and evolving during the past twenty-five years from almost nothing to its present status of a well defined and integrated technology. This paper summarized the historical growth, key organizations and individuals involved, and a prediction of the direction the field is headed in the new millennium along with some possible problems.
Surety of Human Elements of High Consequence Systems: An Organic Model
Authors: Forsythe Chris , Wenner Caren
Published: January 2012

Despite extensive safety analysis and application of safety measures, there is a frequent lament, “Why do we continue to have accidents?” Two breakdowns are prevalent in risk management and prevention. First, accidents result from human actions that engineers, analysts and management never envisioned and second, controls, intended to preclude/mitigate accident sequences, prove inadequate. This paper addresses the first breakdown, the inability to anticipate scenarios involving human action/inaction. The failure of controls has been addressed in a previous publication (Forsythe and Grose, 1998). Specifically, this paper presents an approach referred to as “surety.” The objective of this approach is to provide high levels of assurance in situations where potential system failure paths cannot be fully characterized. With regard to human elements of complex systems, traditional approaches to human reliability are not sufficient to attain surety. Consequently, an Organic Model has been developed to account for the organic properties exhibited by engineered systems that result from human involvement in those systems.
Stimulus Mapping and Memory Load Effects on the Vigulance Decrement across Multiple Sessions
Authors: Musgrove Michael D. , Hollands J. G.
Published: January 2012

Performance often degrades over time in a vigilance task where an operator must identify critical signals. An extensive effort has been made to determine the mechanism underlying this vigilance decrement. Sustained demand theory proposes that high attentional demand sustained over the course of the vigil extracts a toll in fatigue, leading to the decrement. However, since an observer typically searches for one consistent target in a vigilance situation, results from dual-processing studies would suggest that automatic processing (Schneider & Shiffrin, 1977) should develop over time, and performance should improve rather than degrade. The purpose of this study was to identify the role of automatic and controlled processing within and across vigilance sessions. High memory loads led to an attenuation of the vigilance decrement, a result inconsistent with sustained demand theory. Low memory loads produced results more consistent with a sustained demand interpretation. Implications of these findings for a theoretical account of the vigilance decrement are discussed.
Health, Career Prospects, and Preferences of Senior Construction Workers
Authors: de Zwart Bart C.H. , Frings-Dresen Monique H.W. , van Duivenbooden Jacob C.
Published: January 2012

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 637 male construction workers aged 40 years and older in order to gain information on senior construction worker's a) health and work ability, b) career prospects and preferences, and c) relationship between health, work ability, and career expectations. With a prevalence of 56%, musculoskeletal disorders were found to be the most common disease category. Advancing age was found to be associated with a deterioration in health and work ability status. Around 33% of the senior workers was not certain about continuation of their current job until retirement age. A strong association was found between health and work ability status and the expectations about the development of the career till retirement. Most preferred preventive measures of the workers themselves were all related to a decrease in their overall workload. Increasing attention for the vulnerable group of senior construction workers by means of occupational health care measures such as changes in the physical work content and environment, development of health promotion programs, and performance of periodic occupational health surveys is suggested.
Aging at Work: Survey among Health Care Shiftworkers of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Fischer Frida Marina , Bellusci Silvia M. , Borges Flávio N.S. , Teixeira Liliane R. , Christoffolete Marcelo A. , Martins Samantha E. , Ferreira Regiane M.
Published: January 2012

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 nurses, mean age=36.9 (SD 8.5), working in a University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The main objective of this study was a self-evaluation of aging at work. Participants volunteered to answer a health care workers survey, adapted from an English version. Their main concerns about their exposure at the workplace (a) and off-the job conditions (b) were: a) changes in equipment and technology, transportation and changes in employer policies; b) personal safety, increases in the cost of living, food safety, water and air quality. The majority of workers considered themselves having adequate current work ability with respect to physical, mental and social demands. Mean perceived ability to work on a 10-point scale was 8.3 (SD = 1.18). Means of chronological age are higher than the perception of the workers about how they look, act and feel. Traditional approaches to improve some of the working conditions may be not be sufficient to achieve a good quality of the working life.
The Relationship between Age and Work and Non-Work Stressors
Authors: Iskra-Golec Irena
Published: January 2012

The paper deals with the relationship between age and workers' perception of work and non-work stressors. 205 female nurses (mean age =37.5 years) completed the Survey of Health Care Professionals. The most significant correlation has been found between both the age and length of work experience and assessment of work performance (positive), feeling of fatigue after the workday and ability to continue current job (negative). No significant correlation of the age and the concern about the workplace conditions were found.
Prioritizing Ergonomic Research in Aging for the 21st Century American Workforce
Authors: Schwerha Diana J. , McMullin Dianne L.
Published: January 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2006 Americans aged 55 and over will represent the greatest annual growth rate and will occupy nearly 30% of the American population. Additionally, by 2006 civilian labor force participation rates for the 55 and older group will grow to 36.8%, a 6.5% increase over the participation rates for this group for 1996, and over three times the percent increase of the next highest group (25 to 54 years; 1.7%). The predicted median age of the labor force for 2006 is estimated at 40.6 years, an age not approached since the median age rose to 40.5 years in 1962. Coupled with this aging profile, professional specialty occupations and service occupations are expected to provide nearly half of the total job growth during the decade leading to 2006. Within the professional specialty professions, nearly 90% of the employment increases are expected to occur in the service industry division, led by educational services and health services. The four industry sectors projected to produce the largest job growth are retail trade, business services, health services, and educational services. In contrast to the increases in the service and business sector, the manufacturing sector is expected to experience a loss of jobs, particularly for operators, fabricators, and laborers. The purpose of this paper is to merge demographic data with ergonomic and human factors data and predictions to explore areas of ergonomic research that will aid in keeping the aging workforce, and those with whom they interact, healthy in their jobs and keep the companies for whom they are employed competitive. Although some ergonomics research has been conducted in all the listed areas of expected growth, a return to the examination of the job demands in each sector, with an eye to particular application to the aging workforce, is important. The retail trade sector requires of the employee cognitive and visual skills, processing skills, and VDT work. It is expected that displays will continue to be studied to improve interaction and reduce glare. In addition, the increase in transportation jobs associated with business and trade, and the inclination for older baby boomer generation to continue driving will spur research on glare, displays, vibration, temperature, cognition, and psychomotor skills. Within the health services sector, the increase in the need for home health care will increase the number of older workers employed in this area, a change that will necessitate building upon the research already conducted on individual health and the ergonomics of work and the work environment in home settings. Educational services, especially for the changing workforce and the young workforce, will entice the aging into this field and promulgate new paradigms for training and work organization.
Reducing Falls in the Home - How do Older People Use Their Stairs?
Authors: Hill L D , Haslam R A , Brooke-Wavell K , Howarth P A , Sloane J E
Published: January 2012

Interviews were conducted with 157 individuals, aged between 65-96 years, and living in their own homes, to investigate how older people use and keep their stairs. Study participants were often able to recognise hazards that increase the chances of falling on stairs, such as leaving items on steps or carrying objects. Despite this, many of those interviewed continued to engage in unsafe acts. Reducing falls on stairs among this age group requires a holistic approach, with attention to both the environment and behaviour. Education has a part to play in this, raising awareness and communicating advice. With 87% of the participants in this research reporting they had never received any information on stair safety, it is important for this issue to be addressed.
Mentoring as a Source of Motivations for Experienced Workers
Authors: Cloutier E. , Lefebvre S. , Chatigny C.
Published: January 2012

An interdisciplinary exploratory study focused on the potential positive impact of an on-the-job mentoring scheme for experienced workers and the difficulties encountered in applying the program. The study took place in a machine shop. The mentors were all middle-aged, and the Y felt that the program gave value to their work since it constituted a recognition of their skills. The age factor seems to operate in parallel with the respective stages in the life cycles of mentors and apprentices, around the central issues of learning and the transmission of knowledge.
Study on Guidelines to Make Automated Service Machines
Authors: Kishida Koya , Hisamune Syuuji , Ikegami Thor , Matsui Tetsuo
Published: January 2012

At the mention of purchasing behavior, the survey in 1996 shows that middle-aged and elderly people made significantly more mistakes than young people did. From the survey in 1997, we confirmed that middle-aged people made significantly more mistakes than young people did, and elderly people made significantly more mistakes than children and young people did. Comparing touch-sensor system to push-button system, operating touch-sensor system machines needed longer time and made more mistakes especially for elder age groups.
Compliance with Stop Signs under Perceived Appropriateness versus Inappropriateness of the Sign
Authors: Hendrick Hal W.
Published: January 2012

Driver behavior was observed at two intersections with stop signs in a suburban neighborhood when no other vehicles were present. Both the risk of an accident or being observed by police thus was low. Stop signs at one intersection were perceived by the local community as being highly appropriate. Those at the other were perceived as highly inappropriate. Under the observed conditions, only 37 percent of the drivers stopped at the inappropriate sign, but 82 percent stopped at the appropriate sign. The results suggest that people will comply even under conditions of low perceived risk if they deem the warning appropriate, but not if they deem the warning inappropriate.
Basic Concepts in Professional Ergonomics: Defined or Debunked?
Authors: Cohen H. Harvey
Published: January 2012

Professional forensic ergonomists are often confronted with difficulties in making sure that their expert opinions are both understood by juries and judges but also that they make the desired contribution to resolving critical issues in injury and tort law. What is at issue here are the terms and phrases used by the professionals “under oath” meaning when providing formal testimony in a court of law or as part of a deposition. For example, there are such terms and phrases as “with complete certainty,” “accident,” “fault,” “cause,” “mitigated,” “random,” “arbitrary,” and “artifactual,” just to cite a few.

The problem lies with the vagaries of the English language where any single word or phrase can have many meanings and interpretations depending upon the context, the intent of the user, and the biases of those who hear it or read it.

When dealing with a critically important issue such as debilitating injury to human being and in the course of trying to determine whether or not some other person is responsible, as such is the realm of tort law, vagueness of phrasing by the persons who are contributing testimony are a nagging problem. The final decision of the court and the juries may hang on a single word or phrase.

In order to ensure that the professional integrity of forensic ergonomics as well as to add solidarity to the foundation of the discipline of professional ergonomics, it is critically important that it is not the forensic ergonomists in tort litigation who fail to make their intended and necessary contributions to the case because of unsuccinct words and phrases when testifying.

This is a very complex issue and more than one way highly frustrating for many practicing professional forensic ergonomists. Thus, this panel discussion is designed to make an initial foray into this problem which in itself is vague and ill-defined. The panel will address three key points: 1) Whether there should be an established, professionally accepted, or endorsed taxonomy (lexicon) of standard terms to be used by forensic ergonomics professionals and lawyers. 2) How should a standard taxonomy of professional forensic ergonomic terms be developed, adopted, promulgated?; and 3) How to determine which terms and phrases need to be put into the taxonomy or lexicon.

The panel will be comprised of a chair or moderator (TBD) and four professional forensic ergonomists who have extensive experience “under oath” in providing expert opinion and analysis in tort law.
Allocation of Pain and Suffering Awards for Consumer Product Accidents: Effects of Level of Economic Damages
Authors: Laughery Kenneth R. , Laughery Brenda R. , Meingast Melissa E. , Bean Richard N. , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

A study was carried out to explore the effects of the level of economic damage awards on the amount of pain and suffering awards in a product liability litigation context. Two separate accident scenarios were presented to participants who were instructed to consider themselves in the role of jurors. One scenario involved a vehicle accident resulting in permanent quadriplegia and the other described a work place incident where an employee received chemical burns on 65% of his body. Two levels of economic damages were manipulated for each scenario as a between-participants variable. Following the presentation of each scenario, including the economic damages award, participants were asked to make a pain and suffering award. There were no constraints on the size of the awards. Results indicated significant differences in pain and suffering allocations for the two scenarios (means in dollars were: quad = 2.3 million, burn = 1.4 million). While mean pain and suffering awards were higher for the condition of higher economic damage awards (2.0 million) than for lower economic damage awards (1.5 million), the difference was not statistically significant. Substantial variance in the pain and suffering awards was also found, which poses interesting challenges to juries in reaching agreement on such awards.
Ergonomic Design of a Mechanical Device for Increasing the Rate of Union in Open Fractures of the Tibia
Authors: Long Pan Kok , Khalid Halimahtun M. , Ung Ha How
Published: January 2012

Open fractures of the tibia resulting from motor vehicle accidents often take a long time to unite and sometimes do not unite at all. The patients are usually treated with rigid external fixators and immobilized for long periods. Without adequate physiological use, the bone and soft tissue takes longer to heal. This paper reports the development of a mechanical device, based on a hierarchical design approach. The process involves identification of functional requirements from both the expert and user population, which are then mapped on to design parameters. The outcome is a device that allows patients to mobilize their injured limb while they are still bed-bound. The device is being tested for usability and reliability in an on-going study, which is aimed at comparing the treatment of two groups of patients: one using the device in the course of their rehabilitation, while the other does not.
Hearing the Voice of the Disabled Customer: A Tool for the Design of Ergonomic Products for an Independent Life
Authors: Soares Marcelo M. , Kirk Stuart
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a user-centred design method in which the “voice of the disabled customer” can be translated into product requirements in a form which designers and manufacturers can use to improve their design practice and the level of consumer satisfaction. Wheelchairs were chosen as the product for study.
Jaws - Just Activated without Strength a Mandible Operated Control Device
Authors: Bucich Clovis
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the general concept of a device that allows his/her user to control any other device, able to be controlled through electrical impulses, solely by means of movements of the mandible. This conception aims primarily to meet needs of severely handicapped people, mainly quadriplegic ones and patients under care, temporarily deprived of use of arms and legs. Such device would allow their users to drive by themselves powered wheel chairs and other equipment, including computers.
Text-Based versus Graphic Displays in Healthcare: Comparing User Performance
Authors: Kobus David A. , Staggers Nancy
Published: January 2012

The intent of this project was to design and evaluate a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that would enhance user performance compared to an existing TEXT-based system used for nursing orders. Ninety-eight nurses (48 females, 50 males) volunteered to participate in the study, which required the completion of four types of nursing orders (Activate, Change, Discontinue, and Create) using each interface. Data collection software was developed to record the time necessary to complete each assigned order and to accumulate the number of keystrokes used to complete each trial. Each participant completed 5 training trials, 4 practice trials, and 40 test trials using each interface. A three-way Interface (2) X Block (4) X Order Type (4) within group design analysis was completed. The GUI interface was significantly easier to learn and faster to use for nursing orders management. Tasks were completed using the GUI display nearly twice as fast as the TEXT-based interface, even after substantial practice on both systems. Most importantly, using the GUI also produced significantly fewer errors than using the TEXT-based interface. It is clear that a GUI interface saves nursing time and reduces errors compared to a TEXT-based interface for nursing orders management. In fact, potentially 1–1.5 hours per day per nurse could be saved using a GUI display.
The Influence of Hand Controls on Nurses' Operation in Emergency Surgery
Authors: Wu Fonggong , Tsai Ming-che , Hsu I-heng
Published: January 2012

This study is based on the effects on human joint angles caused by the different form of hand controls used by emergency nurses, using the evaluation methods of bad joint angles, come up with a reasonable height and angle range of controls. This study is divided into mainly two sections, in section one we used filming, to group the postures shown by ten emergency medics operating the common seen hand controls, and take the common seen posture to be the basis of the second section experiment. In section two, using 3D motion analysis system, to study the change of height and angle of control panels while fifteen women operate the five common seen hand controls in emergency (push button, big rotation knob, detent positioning knob, small rotation knob and toggle switch), and the effects on the body bending angle, elbow angle and wrist angle. At last using ANOVA analysis and regression function analysis to conclude a suitable control panel height and angle.
Evaluation of Muscular Strain and Fatigue in Occupational Field Studies Using Long Term Emg Recordings
Authors: Luttmann Alwin , Jäger Matthias , Laurig Wolfgang
Published: January 2012

In occupational field studies surface electromyography can be applied to determine muscular strain and to indicate the occurrence of muscular fatigue. Muscle strain is commonly indicated by using the amplitude of the electromyogram (EMG) or measures thereof, muscle strain is indicated by determining the time course of the EMG with respect to changes in the EMG amplitude or power spectral distribution. For both purposes a detailed knowledge on the current activity of the person under test is needed for the total time under investigation. This can be attained by using a special coding system in which an electrical action code is recorded together with the EMG signals.

For the indication of muscular fatigue it has to be considered that the EMG amplitude as well as the EMG spectrum depend not only upon the fatigue state but also upon the produced muscle force. Therefore EMGs should only be compared for situations connected with similar muscle load. This demand can be fulfilled (i) by the execution of test contractions of known force in a defined posture, (ii) by comparing the EMG during situations connected with a similar activity or (iii) in a recently developed approach by the joint analysis of EMG amplitude and spectrum (JASA).
Predicting Low Back Functional Performance Recovery
Authors: Ferguson Sue A. , Marras William S. , Heaney Catherine , Gupta Purnendu
Published: January 2012

This was a prospective study where patients were enrolled within the first month of their low back pain symptoms and evaluated for three months. Thirty-two patients with low back pain symptoms were recruited for the study. Initial conditions included symptoms, psychological measures, physical and psychosocial workplace measures, and functional performance measures. The outcome measure of functional performance probability was measured every two weeks for three months. A regression model was constructed using the initial conditions to predict functional performance probability of recovery. The r2 value of the regression model was 0.87. Two functional performance patterns of recovery were found including a steady improvement and a large jump improvement. A discriminant function model identified the pattern of recovery in 91% of cases given initial conditions.