bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and Experimental Approaches in Ergonomic Design: Towards a Unified Theory of Ergonomic Design
Authors: Bedny Gregory , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: January 2012

Design is one of the most important issues in ergonomic science and its application. Ergonomics professionals use the term ‘design’ in many different ways. In this paper design is defined as the creation and description of ideal models or images of a new object for the purpose of their materialization in the future. As such the main part of the design process has to be done on the informational level. This paper analyzes the relationship between the theoretical and experimental approaches to ergonomics design, and demonstrates a need for development of a unified theory of ergonomic design.
Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Postural Control of Lifting with and without a Backbelt
Authors: Hsiang Simon M. , McGorry Raymond W. , Chang Chien-Chi
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to develop a method for indexing the dynamic modulation of flexion/extension moment and the center of pressure (CoP) by the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during a lifting and lowering task. The indices were developed to provide information about tendency, direction and relative rate of change. The theories used in developing the two scaling indices are reviewed. Ten subjects were recruited, and their postural control and IAP were examined in the context of para-sagittal lifting and lowering. The two indices were applied before and after each critical event: liftoff, extend-to-flex (i.e., the inflection point of the whole body movement from extension to flexion) and touchdown. Statistical significance was found suggesting that both back-belt wearing and a breathing technique, Valsalva's maneuver, may change the modulating potential of IAP in postural control.
The New UK Industry Design Standard for ATMS - An Ergonomics Approach with Special Reference to the Needs of the Disabled Person
Authors: Feeney Robert
Published: January 2012

The UK Guidelines - Access to ATMs was published in August 1999. They provide manufacturers, purchasers, and installers of ATMs guidance on user interaction issue and incorporate the requirements of disabled people. The guidance is based on research into the needs and characteristics of disabled people and on trials with prototype ATMs. Reaching and viewing features and screen design are important issues and need to be designed in such a way that both disabled people and non-disabled are able to use the machines comfortably, effectively and with a sense of security. Other factors that acknowledge the difficulties which disabled people have, especially those with visual impairments are also addressed.

The implications for manufacturers if ATMs can be considerable when design changes are required. The Guidelines recognise this and whilst not compromising user requirements allows for the designs to develop over a number of years.

It is clear however from current developments that manufacturers are already supplying machines that are 90% compliant.

The Guidelines have been welcomed in the UK and in other European countries and as a significant step forward and in tune with current Disability Discrimination legislation.
Association between Assembly Work Electromyography and Discomfort as Identified by Video-Computer Interaction
Authors: Franzon Helena , Forsman Mikael , Hanse Jan Johansson , Kihlberg Steve , Mathiassen Svend Erik , Möller Therese
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this product is to study the correlation between self-reported and measured mechanical workload of neck and shoulder on workstations level. Six persons participated in the study, each working at six different workstations. The workstations were ranked from “lowest” to “highest” workload according to different variables. The correlations were studied on ranking order. Different types of assembly work were mainly carried out in all stations. In this work (few high workload situations, and a high degree of monotonous, repetitive work situations) one situation with a high workload could in this case be experienced as positive. The methods lead to contradicting results as regards identifying work situations with high loads. The results indicate that the methods lead to similar results as regards identifying work situations with low loads.
Sitting with Rotary Continuous Passive Motion Biomechanical Explanation of Health Effects
Authors: van Deursen Dirk L. , Snijders Chris J. , van Deursen Leo L.J.M.
Published: January 2012

Sitting with the use of a Rotary Continuous Passive Motion (RCPM) device seemed to be a promising technique for practical use with regard to spinal therapy and prevention.

Spinal exercises and stimulation have been widely described to influence intervertebral disc nutrition, general flexibility and muscular health. Minor stimulation of only 1.0-degree cyclic rotation resulted in a remarkable physiological effect, expressed in a smaller amount of shrinkage during 1 hour of sitting compared to the conventional way of sitting.

Intervertebral disc height is influenced by small axial rotation, even before facet joint interference. The cylindrical oriented annular fibers are stretched or slacked as a result of twisting, which is most common during daily life ambulation. Such stress-relaxation phenomenon occurs in the lumbar discs due to pelvic stimulation by means of Rotary Continuous Passive Motion, i.a. a motor driven seat pan moving in the horizontal plane.

This RCPM response not only affects the intradiscal pressure changes, which are related to in- and outflux of nutrients by osmosis and diffusion, but forms also additional mechanical stiffening of the annulus fibrosis. This information may be of great importance for treatment and prevention of low back pain.
Recommended Dimension of Office Chair Design for Korean
Authors: Jung Suk G. , Lee Sang D.
Published: January 2012

We evaluated general office chair and adjustable chairs which can adjust to fit each person. We also analyzed how each design dimension was reached and affected the human body by objective EMG (Electromyogram) evaluation, and by subjective evaluation of physical discomfort and comfort. Studies like this will be very important in the database. The purpose of this study is on upgrading the physical comfortableness, eliminating users' complaints about previous chairs.
Biomechanical Aspects of Seating Comfort in Vehicle Seating Package Engineering
Authors: Paul Gunther E.
Published: January 2012

In this paper, problems are described which are related to the ergonomic assessment of vehicle package design in vehicle systems engineering. The traditional approach, using questionnaire techniques for a subjective assessment of comfort related to package design, is compared to a biomechanical approach. An example is given for ingress design. The biomechanical approach is based upon objective postural data. The experimental setup for the study is described and methods used for the biomechanical analysis are explained. Because the biomechanic assessment requires not only a complex experimental setup but also time consuming data processing, a systematic reduction and preparation of biomechanic data for classification with an Artificial Neural Network significantly improves the economy of the biomechanical method.
Airplane Maintenance: Musculoskeletal Disorders vs Difficulties Identified by Workers and by Workstation Characterization
Authors: Lortie M. , Denis D. , Couture J-.M. , Comtois R.-J.
Published: January 2012

The object of the study was to provide recommendations for improving the work situations of airplane maintenance workers. This paper specifically bears on the improvement of workstations. Seventeen different tasks were videotaped and characterized through an observation grid, and 26 mechanics were questioned at the end of each video session. The results show that MSD is a major issue that highlights the importance and potential impact of the accuracy required to perform tasks. We were also able to delineate the main issues surrounding workstation design. The value of using both observation and surveys, and the potential of body rigidification as a risk factor are also discussed.
Process Oriented Ergonomics – The Ergonomics of the Future? A Case Study of Integrated Ergonomics at an Engine Assembly Plant
Authors: Engström Tomas , Portolomeos André , Hanson Lars , Medbo Lars , Akselsson Roland
Published: January 2012

Ergonomists are, in most cases, focusing on the human being when evaluating assembly system designs. This results in the human performance being expressed isolated from the technical environment. On the other hand, technicians are prone to concentrate on the hardware. These conditions underline the need to pursue a more integrated evaluation and design procedure in order to avoid the drawbacks of these traditional approaches. In this paper, the authors propose an alternative approach, i.e. process oriented ergonomics, which might be a constructive way of tackling some of the more complex aspects of the man-machine interaction in industrial environments such as assembly of engines.
Electrical Connector Acceptability Rating (ECAR)

: Ergonomic Guidelines for Electrical Connectors for Vehicle and Component Assembly
Authors: Siffer L. , Jimmerson G.
Published: January 2012

In the past, the Electrical Connector Capability Rating (ECCR) [1] system was developed to determine to what extent connector effort contributed to first run in-plant disconnects. The ECCR independent variables were connector type, accessibility, connector orientation, obscurity, arm distance, and body position. There was a 98% positive correlation between connector effort and disconnect rates when efforts exceeded 25 pounds. There was a 67% correlation between connector effort and disconnect rates for efforts above 17 pounds. Combined, these circumstances affected approximately thirty per cent of the connector population. Of all connections, 68% had efforts below 17 pounds and were not significantly affected by effort alone.

The Connectors Study [2] was conducted to recommend a means of evaluating the manual mating of electrical connectors considering force required to complete the connection and postures used during mating. The independent variables were force and travel distances, grip type, wrist postures, and elbow postures. Connecting frequency was a control variable determined by psychophysical data. The results yielded a Force Times Rate (FTR) value and Concern Levels for individual connectors and an overall Concern Level for a complete job.

A study was conducted to integrate ergonomic variables into the ECCR using some of the logic from the Connectors Study [2]. This study is the Electrical Connector Acceptability Rating, also known as ECAR.
Getting to Zero-Lift in Washington State Nursing Homes
Authors: Rockefeller Kathleen , Silverstein Barbara , Howard Ninica
Published: January 2012

The huge toll caused by back and shoulder injuries among nursing home workers (nursing assistants) has been well documented. These injuries have been related primarily to tasks involving lifting and handling of the residents. There is strong evidence that reduction in load would decrease the risk of injury. “Zero-lift” programs are designed to reduce these loads and involve several components: support of management and participation of employees; acquisition of equipment; policies surrounding the use of equipment; training; and management of injuries that do occur. There appears to be a significant disparity between the availability of technology to reduce the hazards associated with handling tasks and the adoption of the technology by the industry. The challenge for nursing homes is to effectively implement programs that reduce physical loads on nursing assistants while maintaining a safe and caring environment for the residents.
Risk Assessment Based on Scientific Knowledge of Muscular Strain in Different Cleaning Tasks
Authors: Blangsted AK , Vinzents P , Søgaard K
Published: January 2012

Work related musculoskeletal disorders are frequently reported for persons employed in occupational cleaning. For effective prevention it is necessary to identify work conditions that represent a biomechanical and physiological overload for the different structures and segments of the body. The literature shows that cleaning work is associated with high muscle load levels. Repetitive muscular work of the upper extremities and high levels of dynamic and static force are apparent in cleaning tasks. Surface EMG recordings from the trapezius, deltoid and infraspinatus muscles during wet cleaning of surfaces above floor level and floor cleaning with various mopping systems show high loads for the shoulder muscles. In light of scientific knowledge, interchanging cleaning tasks does not seem to introduce sufficient variation in the load profile of the shoulder muscles. The overall strategy for improving work conditions in cleaning work is to introduce variation either by job enlargement or by frequent rest periods.
Important Factors in the Recording, Processing and Interpreting EMG
Authors: Solomonow Moshe
Published: January 2012

The EMG is an important tool in the assessment of muscle activities in various occupational tasks, only if used properly. The recordings, processing and interpretation of the EMG should be done while considering the proper electrodes size, interelectrodes distance, muscle architecture, contraction rate, motor units recruitment pattern, muscle length, cross-talk from nearby muscles, sampling rate, filter bandwidths, and smoothing time constants. Each of the above factors, if not considered, can introduce substantial error and result in false or misleading interpretation.
Head and Neck Posture at Computer Workstations - What's Neutral?
Authors: Ankrum Dennis R. , Nemeth Kristie J.
Published: January 2012

In a study of “comfortable” head/neck posture in the absence of a visual target for 24 seated subjects, mean head tilt (Ear-Eye Line) angle was 7.7° above horizontal, and mean head/neck posture (C7-tragus against vertical) was 43.7°. Using these and other studies' findings as reference points for “neutral,” studies examining posture at different computer monitor heights were reviewed: eye-level monitors resulted in head/neck extension.
The Ergonomic Implications of Controlling Early Morning Lumbar Flexion to Reduce Chronic, Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Authors: Webster Barbara S. , Snook Stover H. , McGorry Raymond W.
Published: January 2012

Previous studies have indicated an increased risk of low back pain when bending forward in the early morning, because of increased fluid in the intervertebral discs. This randomized controlled, partial crossover study tested the hypothesis that control of early morning lumbar flexion will significantly reduce chronic, non-specific low back pain. Diaries were used to record daily levels of pain intensity, disability, impairment, and medication usage. Significant reductions in pain intensity (p<0.01) were recorded for the treatment group, but not for the control group. After receiving the experimental treatment, the control group responded with similar reductions (p<0.05). The only subjects who did not benefit as well were those who performed heavy physical work; with a statistically significant lower reduction in mean pain intensity from those with light to moderate work (p<0.05). It was concluded that controlling lumbar flexion in the early morning has the potential for reducing chronic, non-specific low back pain. The poorer results found for subjects with heavy physical work requirements emphasize the ergonomic implications of this study.
Evaluation of Body Joint Motion Stressfulness Based on Perceived Discomfort
Authors: Kee Dohyung , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: January 2012

This study aims to develop ranking systems for evaluation of the stressfulness of the joint motions based on perceived discomforts, which were measured in the laboratory experiments in the sitting and standing postures using the magnitude estimation. The results showed that the perceived joint discomforts were affected by the joint motions, type of joint motions, and joints. The joints and joint motions were classified into several distinct classes according to perceived stresses. Three ranking systems based on the perceived discomforts were developed, including classification by the joint motions and joints, by types of joint motions, and by the joints only. The ranking systems developed in this study were different from the existing rankings reported by others.
Job Organization Centred on Task Variability: Small Assembly Lines to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Chaves Carolina , Rodrigues Joana , Carvalhais José , Simões Anabela
Published: January 2012

Typical industrial assembly lines with repetitive work have increasing rates of musculoskeletal disorders. Work organization centered on small lines and providing a larger set of tasks by operator is a possible solution to prevent this problem. The aim of this study was the ergonomic evaluation of two small radio assembly lines compared with the traditional one. The results are very promising for the new line models.
Factprs Influencing Psychophysical Ratings of Postural Stresses by Automobile Manufacturing Workers
Authors: Park Jung-Soon , Punnett Laura
Published: January 2012

Postural stresses were assessed by two methods; workers' ratings of awkwardness on the Borg CR-10 scale and observed frequency of non-neutral postures. Positive associations were found only in the workers with musculoskeletal pain. Some other job and individual characteristics variables contributed to variability in workers' ratings. This suggests a more thoughtful interpretation of self-reported ratings of postural stresses using the Borg scale.
Knowledge Bank of Construction Tasks Integral and Quantitative Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Authors: van der Molen H.F. , Veenstra S.J.
Published: January 2012

The occupational health and safety risks associated with production tasks in the Dutch construction industry are defined in a standardised manner in order to promote the application of that knowledge in everyday practice. Exposure to physical workload, toxic substances, noise and vibration is inventoried and assessed; this is also done for the corresponding safety aspects. The relevant and feasible measures aimed at improving the working conditions are indicated for each construction task.
Usability Issues when Applying Virtual Reality in Education and Training: A Case Study
Authors: Parlangeli Oronzo , Palmieri Serena , Mariani Michele , Tartaglia Riccardo , Arcangeli Giulio , Bagnara Sebastiano
Published: January 2012

Virtual Reality (VR) is an innovative technology that has found valuable application in the field of education. However, evaluation of the effectiveness of virtual environments, especially for training and education, is still an open issue. The study described here was performed within the European SAFE Vecwit project (Virtual Environment for Construction Workers Instruction and Training), aimed at the development of a virtual environment for the enhancement of risk perception and the consequent reduction of occupational injuries in construction workplaces. An experiment was carried out to assess system's usability and educational effectiveness of the environment. The evaluation highlights some relevant issues for VR environment design.
The Influence of Work Organization in the Correct Postures Maintenance in Civil Construction Tasks
Authors: Krüger José Adelino , Michels Glaycon , Ribas Carla Fabiana , Neto Carlos Mendes Fontes , Uczak José Ademir , Neiverth Luciana Mara Cardon
Published: January 2012

To the execution of the great variety of tasks on Civil Construction sites, it is necessary in most cases the maintenance of aggressive postures. These intense physical efforts cause important physiologic reactions in the workers' musculoskeletal system. A case study was accomplished in five building sites in Ponta Grossa City, Paraná State, south of Brasil. The awkward postures were observed, but the main observation was the use of improvised supports and scaffolds. The worker needed to pay attention to the fragility of the support, because the maintenance of his gravity center may cause an additional muscular stretching. The work organization is essential to the maintenance of correct postures, because the necessary equipments will be provided and the improvisation will be avoided.
Ergonomic Interventions for the Home Building Industry
Authors: Mirka Gary , Kelaher Dan , Nay Todd , Monroe Mike , Lutz Tim
Published: January 2012

Workers on framing carpentry crews in the home building industry are exposed to many of the recognized occupational risk factors for low back disorders. The focus of the current project was the design, fabrication and evaluation of a set of engineering controls designed to reduce the exposure to these risk factors. A biomechanical evaluation of the work activities of the workers on a framing crew was performed using the CABS methodology which employs three well-established low back stress assessment tools. From this evaluation a prioritized list of high-risk activities was developed. An iterative, participative engineering development process was employed to develop efficacious, cost-effective engineering controls. Described in this paper are three of these solutions: an extension handle for a nailgun, a pneumatic wall lift and a vertical material lift. A description of the impact that these tools had on low back stress and productivity are presented.
Muscle Strength in Relation to Type of Work and Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Authors: Christensen H , Finsen L , Hansen K , Jensen C
Published: January 2012

Maximal muscle strength during shoulder elevation, arm abduction and handgrip was compared for workers performing repetitive work and more varied work. No difference was found except for shoulder elevation strength of male workers. Furthermore, preliminary analyses on workers performing repetitive work for at least 8 years indicated that the muscle strength of male workers with musculoskeletal symptoms, but not of females, was considerably lower than for asymptomatic workers.
Universal Design of Consumer Products: Current Industry Practice and Perceptions
Authors: Vanderheiden Gregg , Tobias Jim
Published: January 2012

How and why do some companies successfully practice universal design of their products? Why do other companies not practice universal design, and what might motivate them to adopt it? What are the most effective things that can be done by those on the outside to increase the number of companies successfully practicing universal design? This paper reports results from a three-year study of the practice of universal design in companies providing consumer products and services, which was undertaken to discover the answers to these questions. The study included extensive interviews, a comprehensive survey, and the monitoring of the effects of many of the key facilitation strategies. The key external strategy, although controversial, is that of government regulation requiring the accessibility of products and services. Other important strategies include training and educational programs in universal design and development of market data.
An Intervention Study Comparing Traditional and Ergonomic Microscopes
Authors: James Tamara , Lamar Sabrina , Marker Tracy , Frederick Linda
Published: January 2012

In recent years, manufacturers have produced new microscopes with claims of “ergonomic design” for reduced musculoskeletal stress among users. To test this claim, we measured posture of the neck, back, and upper extremities, and the prevalence of musculoskeletal and visual symptoms among cytotechnologists while using traditional microscopes (baseline) and again after the introduction of ergonomically designed microscopes. Participants were five full-time cytotechnologists, who used the microscope 6–8 hours per day and had reported discomfort while using traditional microscopes. Results showed the ergonomically designed microscopes were significantly more comfortable to use than the traditional microscopes for the neck and shoulders. Significant improvement in joint angles of the elbows (flexion) and shoulders (abduction) was noted with the ergonomically designed microscopes. These results suggest that ergonomically designed microscopes may reduce some of the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and benefit individuals who use microscopes for prolonged periods of time.
Ergonomic Design for Senior High School Furniture in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Rungtai , Kang Yen-Yu
Published: January 2012

The major consideration of designing dairy-life products for eating, drinking, living, moving and working behaviour is “designing for human use”. Therefore, whether to undertake the anthropometric database application is an important issue related to products' design factors, which is especially true for students who spend most of their time at their desks and desks. The objective of this study focuses on the application of an anthropometric database of Taiwanese people, which was established by National Science Council and National Tsing Hua University, in use of designing high school teaching equipment. First, we identify the merits and demits including form, material, design and manufacturing factors among the six patterns of school desks and chairs used at Mingchi Institute and technology. Second, the questionnaires of analyzing the merits and demits in using factors are proceeded. After students were tested by six patterns of school desks and chairs for one period. They were evaluated by scaled questionnaires and defined the significance in comfort, function and design preference. Finally, the human factors and engineering tools are used to infer the influenced issues in preferential design factor, in order to establish the design issue to develop high school desks and chairs, which bases on the anthropometric database.
Affordance Perception and Safety Intervention
Authors: Ayres T. , Wood C. , Schmidt R. , Young D. , Murray John
Published: January 2012

The notion that people consider accident risk during driving and other activities has long dominated safety research. The practical importance of risk perception and risk compensation, however, has been overrated. As an alternative formulation, behavior may be affected by action-oriented perception of affordances — we act in ways that we think will be adequate for success. Research on affordance perception has implications for understanding the causes of accidents, and for evaluating and designing warnings and other intended safety interventions.
Comparative Evaluation of Six Brands of Single Door Refrigerators
Authors: de Almeida Álvaro G. , de Queiroz Ben-Hur D. , Senna Bernardo , Naveiro Domingos M. , Pastura Flávia H. , Nunes Vivaldo
Published: January 2012

In order to evaluate product usability the Industrial Design Division of the National Institute of Technology has been developing a methodology which aims at detecting the level of interaction between industrialized products and their users by using property checklists. A comparative evaluation in which this methodology was applied, was conducted on six brands of single door refrigerators.
Ergonomic Evaluation of Office Chairs
Authors: Rebelo F. , Carvalho R , Barreiros L.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this work is to present the Ergonomic evaluation of two commercial office chair models. This evaluation was made using a two-stage methodology, an objective and a subjective one. The results of these two stages has turned clear its complementarities and the problems at the ergonomic level shown up by those chairs were due to design deficiencies.
The Eye Blink as a Physiological Indicator of Cognitive Workload
Authors: Boehm-Davis Deborah A. , Gray Wayne D. , Schoelles Michael J.
Published: January 2012

This report explores the hypothesis that eye blinks serve as a sort of “mental punctuation” during completion of a complex task. Specifically, it examines the rates of eye blinks while people are engaged in a complex decision-making task. The data suggest that eye blinks are suppressed while people are engaged in cognitive processing, and that they rebound once that processing has been completed.
Evaluation of the Ergonomic Quality of Fire Nozzles Via Electromyographic and Subjective Methods
Authors: Kluth K. , Pauly O. , Keller E. , Strasser H.
Published: January 2012

Firefighters are subject to high physical and psychological stress and fire fighting often requires mastering complicated tasks under adverse conditions while close to their stress limit. The handling of the hose/nozzle combination is a central and an often performed task. Therefore, it was the objective of a field study to ergonomically evaluate the various designs of 3 fire nozzles - multi-purpose nozzle according to DIN 14365-2, pistol nozzle AWG, and selectable gallonage nozzle Quadrafog - with respect to the muscular strain resulting from them. Objective characteristic data was obtained from strain values of 7 muscles of the right and left hand-arm-shoulder system of 11 firefighters via surface electromyography for 3 different working tasks (straight stream, wide fog, alternating operations). Specially developed questionnaires provided subjective evaluations of the tasks which were carried out by the subjects (Ss) with the fire nozzles and of the nozzles' ergonomic quality. The German standard nozzle is only suited for “water go” for extended periods of time, but not for dynamic work. Especially the nozzle operator's arm musculature is subjected to strain by the hose forces which depend on water pressure and flow. AWG and Quadrafog lead to substantially lower overall strain and smaller static portions. Only in pure straight stream fire fighting is there no difference between the standard nozzle and the other models. High static portions characterize straight stream operation as well as wide fog operation. Both operations require little movement of the body so that the static portions become more noticeable. However, the endurance level should not be exceeded as it was in this study. Overall, the AWG fire nozzle exhibits the most balanced strain profile with uncritical static values (up to 8%) and an overall strain of up to 30% for alternating operations. These results are in accordance with the fire fighters' subjective preference for this fire nozzle model.
Ergotoxicology: New Model to Prevent Adverse Effects of Industrial Chemical Hazards
Authors: Mohammed-Brahim B.
Published: January 2012

Starting from the three notions of toxicity, risk and safety, occupational toxicology can therefore be defined as the science which, from the study of toxicity and determination of the risk, establishes measures of safety. These measures are materialized in admissible limits of exposure, safety orders and protective advice, and medical control, modeled in what we designed by “screening model“. It suppose that conditions of exposure and the workers' tasks are defined in such a way that they do not cause an unacceptable health risk.

This purpose is rarely reached in practice. Our hypothesis is that preventing model proposed by toxicologists is not operative. First, because work activity is more variable as any plant method service prediction of exposure conditions and workers' tasks. Then, worker is reduce in this pattern, to his biologic component in physical term, and to his executive capacity in cognitive term.

Starting from this hypothesis, supplied by own ground experience at once on occupational medicine and toxicology, then on ergonomics, we develop an alternative model.
Usability and Culture Case Study: Automotive Wheel Balancer
Authors: Bonhoure Patrick D. , Dejean Pierre-Henri
Published: January 2012

Usability is becoming more widely known in different applications (e.g. interfaces, software, products) by the continued work of authors such as J. Nielsen, P. W. Jordan, N. Stanton and C. Barber, All these methods aim towards better design outputs through the improved knowledge of users. Recently, research on cultural differences in the 1970's has come back to the fore front (European Master's thesis award 98–99/ European Foundation for Quality Management, see also the Journal of Product Innovation Management / Vol. 16, March 1999) aiming at improving knowledge of people and their interactions in different fields such as management, communication etc. Based on one of our projects: re-designing the interface of a wheel balancer for the international market, we showed firstly, that there are very few books and articles which address the topic of usability in an international arena, and that the guidelines accepted and provided by general usability references, fail to give enough indicators for designers. Secondly, that cultural studies regarding some dimensions such as polychronism/monochronism, individualism/collectivism, from E. Hall and G. Hofstede can give revelant information, understandable by designers. Lastly, that this information can lead to a change of the interface not only on the display aspects, but also the task itself.
Tomorrow's Ergonomics
Authors: Charytonowicz Jerzy
Published: January 2012

The origin of ergonomics might be sought in the time when prehistoric man started in a conscious way to organize and adapt the surroundings of his life to his own needs, producing weapons and simple tools. It may be assumed that time was a period of unconscious ergonomics or intuitive ergonomics. In turn, the Industrial Revolution, initiated in the late 18th century, has been the historical background for contemporary ergonomics, which may be described as rational ergonomics. The traditional rational ergonomics arose, in the historical sense, from studies on work and up to the present time has mainly been concerned with problems of the safety and protection of the “working man” and excluding the problems of the same man in those surroundings in which he spends the rest of his non-working day. In turn, the computerization of all areas of human life means that the work environment and the rest environment intermingle for example in virtual offices, schools, shops etc. The application of ergonomics in the advancing Information Revolution has lead to an extension of its interests from areas involving man and machine into areas involving the recognition of its interests taking into account not only the relations of the traditional man-technique system, but it has to take into account also the fact that man is a small, but sometimes destructive, element of the ecosystem of nature. In turn, it is joined with the need for extension of the primary accepted system to the relation of the new man-technique-natural environment system which determines simultaneously the area in which the ergonomics of future should be interested. Further because of the changes, both in technique and natural ecosystem, which have a priori dynamic character, the present static ergonomics has to adapt itself to the character and pace of these changes by becoming the dynamic ergonomics which is understood as an antonym of the static ergonomics.
Building a Data Warehouse as a Support for the Creatin of Accident Prevention Policies at Work
Authors: Bartolomeu Tereza Angélica , Ramalho Benício José Almeida , Bastos Rogério Cid
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is defend the development of a health system data warehouse with up-to-date and precise information concerning the real situation of work accidents in Brazil. This database would serve as support to initiatives such as delegated decision-making, increased accountability, service integration and evidence-based management of strategic decisions for the control and prevention of accidents. This database should be composed of information found in the Work Accident Communications (WACs), information collected in companies, hospital attendance to workers through SUS and INSS. This whole set of information would make it possible to transform this database into a Data Warehouse, with organized and essential information for policy control and accident prevention. Later techniques could be used to extract from these data, information (Data Mining) that could indicate possible causes and ways to prevent certain types of accidents.
A Strategy to Design a Work-Rest Schedule for VDT Operators Performing Data Entry and Mental Tasks
Authors: Balci Rana , Aghazadeh Fereydoun
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted with ten male subjects who performed data entry and mental tasks. Scores of subjective discomfort questionnaire, speed, accuracy, and performance of the subjects and electromyography measurements from trapezius and flexor carpi radialis muscles were recorded. Three different work-rest schedules were applied: 60-minute work/10-minute rest, 30-minute work/5-minute rest, and for the third schedule, the subjects received four breaks from Video Display Terminal (VDT) work each hour additional to a 14-minute break after two hours. Subjects were asked to enter randomly created alphanumeric data (last name, first name, and phone number) for data entry task and to solve randomly created addition and subtraction problems as mental task. Mental task resulted in a higher psychological discomfort, lower physical discomfort, and lower performance than data entry task. The results of the study suggest that the 15/micro schedule is superior to the longer and infrequent rest break schedules considering upper extremity discomfort, eyestrain, speed, accuracy, performance, and the load in trapezius muscle for both data entry and mental tasks.
A Stage Specific Approach to Improving Occupational Health and Safety
Authors: Haslam C. , Haslam R. A. ,   Health Promotion Research Group
Published: January 2012

This paper explores the potential application of an influential model of health related behaviour (Prochaska and DiClemente's stage of change model) to interventions designed to improve occupational health and safety. According to the stage of change model, people progress through a series of stages when modifying their health related behaviour. The model also suggests that a person's stage of change determines their receptiveness to different forms of health education messages. Given the similarities between community health promotion and health and safety interventions in the workplace, this paper considers the possible applications of the model to occupational health and safety. It concludes that health and safety interventions which are matched to the recipient's stage of change will facilitate the implementation of safer working practices.
Development and Usability Evaluation of an Anthropometric Database for Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Chan Alan H.S. , So Richard S.Y. , Ng Eunice N.S.
Published: January 2012

An anthropometric database containing 17 fundamental functional body dimensions of Hong Kong Chinese is reported. This database also supports statistical analyses. Data have been collected from a survey of a group of 355 Hong Kong male and female Chinese adults with ages ranging from 18 to 55. The computerised database provides useful descriptive statistics such as mean, median, standard deviation and relevant percentiles of all the measured dimensions. These dimensions are vital for designing common consumer and industrial products. In addition, a usability evaluation on the interface has been carried out and the results are reported in this paper.
Energy Expenditure Comparison between Adjusted and Unadjusted Apparel Equipment for Northern Mexican Anthropometry
Authors: Quintana Rolando
Published: January 2012

The goal of this study was to compare energy expenditure between adjusted and unadjusted industrial apparel equipment for northern Mexican male anthropometry. The hypothesis was that by working in the neutral range of motion, workers would expend less energy, which may possibly increase productivity and yield, and offer a better sense of security and comfort to workers in their jobs. Based on the straight linear relationship between heart rate and energy expenditure, experimental results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in heart rate between working with adjusted equipment (working in the neutral range of motion) and unadjusted equipment. The posture/position significantly affected the mean heart rate regardless of the subject and/or day of the week.
Sequential Changes of Standing Posture While Carrying a Baby in the Arms
Authors: Iwata Hiroko
Published: January 2012

In order to clarify the characteristics of sequential changes of baby-carrying posture, an experiment was conducted using a baby dummy. The subjects were 12 female students aged from 20 to 22years. First, each subject was instructed to wear sneakers, next to wear medium high-heel shoes. The motion and the changes of the posture of each subject were recorded, also, electromyograms were recorded. The difference of the sequential changes of baby carrying posture according to the shoes worn by each subject was not large. However, individual differences were seen in the muscular activities while carrying the dummy during the three-minutes period.
Electromyographic Methods for the Measurement of Physiological Costs Associated with Operating Hand-Held Tools and Computer Input Devices
Authors: Strasser H. , Keller E. , Kluth K.
Published: January 2012

Knowledge about practicable methods of appropriate recording and processing of myoelectric data which has been accumulated and further developed during the last decade has been fed into a program system. The same is true for a set of already carried-out and published investigations into the ergonomic evaluation of keyboards, armrests, and wrist rests as well as various hand-held tools. Making use of the specifically developed and well-proven software packages which can be loaded into almost all PCs for recording, analyzing, and standardizing electromyographic data, even a user who until now was less familiar with these tasks gains access to electromyography as an efficient and important ergonomic method applicable with reasonable expenditure both in the laboratory and in the field.
“Ship” Approach is a Must to Attain Sustainable Results in Ergonomics
Authors: Manuaba Adnyana
Published: January 2012

Ergonomics activities in Bali - Indonesia, since its first introduction in 1967, practically covered various economic sectors and utilized various concept and principle in ergonomics. It began in agriculture, tourism and small scale industry, the economic potencies of Bali, then expanded to various economic activities among others the high-tech aircraft industry. The last five years, its activities covered community at large busy with development processes and facing globalisation as well. Although sporadically carried out, practically in term of time, limited available means, knowledge and technical know how, several significant ergonomic improvements have been attained. But 33 years experiences in ergonomics showed afterward that more efforts must be done to make more sustain the results achieved. A more comprehensive approach by involving various factors which might create problems and gave influence to the solution must be considered. It is by carrying out a SHIP (systemic, holistic, interdisciplinary and participatory) approach in which ergonomic could play a significant role due to its characteristic. Such an approach, strongly need people with different disciplines who could work collaboratively in a team, who think and act systematically, holistically and actively participating those who are concerned and committed to the problems. Such an approach must be conducted by future ergonomists working in developing countries.
Mock Trial: Human Factors Contributions to Litigation Involving Adaptive Cruise Control
Authors: Noy Y. Ian , Vredenburgh Alison , Hornick Richard , Savaglio Barbara , Mortimer Rudolf G. , Olsen Richard , Thompson Dave , Ryan Patricia , Spangler James R.
Published: January 2012

A mock trial format will be used to explore some fundamental human factors issues associated with advanced cruise control systems such as have been introduced in Europe and Japan and are expected to be introduced into the North American market this year. The plaintiff in this case, the driver of a vehicle equipped with ACC, is seeking damages from the defendant, the manufacturer of the vehicle, for inappropriate design of the ACC that she alleges contributed to a motor vehicle collision in which she was involved. The underlying issue concerns the hand-over of control from the vehicle to the driver under conditions of partially automated driving. The mock trial will demonstrate the role of human factors expertise in the judicial process. Participants will include experienced human factors professionals and practicing attorneys. Commentators will highlight key issues during the proceedings. No judgment will be rendered at the conclusion. However, delegates will be surveyed to determine how human factors expert opinions may have influenced them and which arguments were most compelling.
International HCI-Standards for the Workplace and the Work Environment
Authors: Çakir Ahmet E.
Published: January 2012

ISO 9241 “Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminal (VDTs)” is a series of 17 standards which deals with various aspects of working with computers. Its parts 5 and 6 contain provisions on the design and organization of the workplace and the work environment. In contrast to technical standards, ISO 9241-5 and -6 do not specify the technical characteristics of the equipment needed to satisfy their guidelines associated with the work station and the work environment. The provisions are first formulated as guiding principles which constitute the basic goals of these standards. Part 5 contains requirements derived from the basic principles but no technical features for furniture. This standard does not try to find an optimum posture for all users or uses, but rules applicable in different work environments to flexible postures. Part 6 deals with all relevant environmental factors from lighting to magnetic fields. Both standards can be applied in a given work context following the concept of usability.
Evaluation of Physical Workload Standards/Guidelines from a Nordic Perspective
Authors: Fallentin N. , Kilbom Å. , Viikari-Juntura E. , Wærsted M.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents the background and main conclusions from a draft report prepared for the Nordic Council of Ministers. Twenty-four standards/guidelines concerning physical work load were selected for a detailed review, and evaluated with the aim of providing recommendations concerning standards suitable for a possible Nordic implementation. A framework of criteria for identifying scientifically “good” and practically efficient standards was established and three key areas were identified in the evaluation procedure: efficacy, scientific coherency, and usability. Prior to the evaluation the standards were divided into two groups according to their level of accuracy: (a) Standards presenting quantitative guidelines for specific exposures with precise and numerical accept criteria, and (b) Process type standards presenting mainly qualitative guidelines and focussing on a program approach. In general the evaluation was most favorable for the process type standards and provided some support for the view that future regulatory actions against work-related musculoskeletal disorders will be most successful if an integrated ergonomics program approach is adapted.