bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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.
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).
A Study of the Use of a Wrist Splint to Prevent WMSDs at a Sprout Grower
Authors: Perez Graciela M. , Buchholz Bryan O. 
Published: January 2012

Awkward postures and repetitive forceful motions have been implicated as risk factors for the development of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The use of wrist splints in the work environment has been adapted by some employers in an effort to control at least one of these risk factors. The hypothesis follows that if workers wear wrist splints they can avoid awkward wrist postures, which may reduce their risk for the development of WMSDs. The affect of the wrist splint on the amount of force exerted by the workers is unknown. This study was undertaken at a sprout grower to analyze the relative force exerted by workers with and without a splinted dominant wrist during two hand intensive jobs. It was found that the ability to exert peak grip force was significantly impaired with the use of the wrist splint. In addition, extrinsic flexor electromyography (EMG) and anterior deltoid EMG were relatively higher while subjects worked with splinted wrists as compared to working without a wrist splint. This preliminary data suggests that a wrist splint may limit awkward wrist postures at the expense of increasing the force required to perform hand intensive tasks. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Behavioral Safety — Making Sure Your Approach Fits Your Needs
Authors: Lutness John O. 
Published: January 2012

With its introduction in the late 1970s, behavioral safety gave employers and employees a new way to look at — and improve — safety performance. However, behavioral safety approaches aren't “one size fits all.” As safety cultures evolve from management-driven (dependent) to self-directed (independent) to mutual-caring (interdependent), successful implementation requires different methodologies. This presentation details ways that members of the food industry can effectively utilize behavioral safety. Included are insights into behavioral safety, its key concepts, critical success factors and implementation methodologies for different safety cultures. The results of behavioral safety efforts at DuPont and other companies worldwide also will be discussed.
Working Posture Measurement for CTD Study Using Windows Application Program
Authors: Park Donghyun , Rhee Nahm Guhn , Hur Kuk Kang 
Published: January 2012

Today, CTDs(Cumulative Trauma Disorders) have been one of major hazards in the US and European industries disrupting work schedules, productivity and increasing workers compensation costs. The increase in their associated costs has led companies to form committees and implement programs to address this problem. Therefore, it is important that quantitative analysis tools help identify certain industrial tasks that pose risk to workers. In this study, a technique for posture measurement is proposed to have more reliable way of data acquisition. There are three main steps. The first step is a videotaping of each types of postures. The second step is a conversion of posture information in videotape into image file using encoder. The third step is an actual measurement using three labels on each frame of the posture converted from the videotape. If you located these labels at the joints (e.g. shoulder-elbow-wrist), you would have a deviation angle for the middle joint (e.g. elbow). When you finished one posture (e.g. right elbow flexion), you would have descriptive statistics of the posture as well as individual deviation angles for each frame. Finally, a pilot study for the reliability of this technique was conducted. The total of ten subjects was asked to measure a posture of each frame using this technique. Most correlation coefficients between real deviation angles and measured angles by subjects were over 0.7. The reliability of subjects (consistency of each subject's measurement for the same frame) was also evaluated by Cronbach Alpha. Most Cronbach Alpha values were over 0.8.
Eastern Countries in Transition to the European Union
Authors: Koradecka Danuta , Kowalski Jerzy 
Published: January 2012

The period of transformation has caused several changes in the area of occupational safety and health (OSH). Among the most important are • a “diffusion” of the entities shaping OSH (about 96% of enterprises are small and medium-sized); • new priorities of OSH (in addition to the reduction of technical hazards in the working environment, the problems of stress have gained importance); • changes in the job market (unemployment, the need for “multi-occupation” education, new principles of determining the ability to work); • changes in the system of accident and occupational diseases insurance (a variable insurance premium that depends on the working conditions); • modification of the system of supervising working conditions (from inspections to auditing systems of occupational risk assessment and OSH management). The introduction of those changes is, in principle, evolutionary. In many cases, however, it is “revolutionary” in a positive sense of the word.
Anthropometry of Elderly and Disabled with Special Attention to (Wheel) Chair Design
Authors: Molenbroek Johan FM , Zhang Bing 
Published: January 2012

The need for knowledge about variation of body dimensions of elderly and disabled is even more urgent then for other groups, because these groups are much more dependant on the quality of their equipment than able-bodied people. The usability of aids for people with impairments is closely related to the proper application of anthropometry. This means for example that the right anthropometric data is taken for the target population and that the prototype is tested before being produced. For both parts in the design process our AIS (Anthropometric Information System) software should assist. It consists of an easy interface to receive the right hints at the right place in the design process as described before. AIS forces to choose a target population to design for and gives feedback about the excluded percentage of users through every design decision. This paper describes how products like wheelchairs can be improved with the use of feedforward and feedback about the critical steps in the anthropometrical design process.
Usability of the Graphic Information, Navigation Systems and Cars for Seniors and Disabled
Authors: Venda Valery F. , Venda Nadia I. , Averboukh Elena A. , Nosulenko Valery N. 
Published: January 2012

Authors conducted survey and conversion of information on space and aviation ergonomics to the car, computer, navigation and communication systems design. These achievements and methods are particularly important for the fast growing needs and market of special solutions for elderly and disabled drivers. New principles (“laws”) of automotive ergonomics and methods of individual adaptation of human-computer dialogue were developed based on theory of ergodynamics (Venda and Venda, 1995). They were applied to usability analysis of navigation systems for vision and hearing impaired and other drivers who need a customized car and driver-computer dialogue. We studied experimentally perception of navigation maps by drivers with different vision disabilities (anomalies). 45 people of the ages of 20–30 and 60 subjects of the ages 55–75 with different types of astigmatism participated in the experiment. We displayed information by projecting slides on a screen, with a computer display, with a TV display, LCD panel and with various point lighting matrices. We changed the shape of the symbols, the distance of perception, vision angle, general lighting on the work station, brightness and contrast of the symbols on the screens.
Lifting Limits of Rice-Bag-Carrying Tasks Using a Work Physiological Approach
Authors: Intaranont Kitti , Wiengpon Anakapon 
Published: January 2012

An experiment was designed and conducted to accomplish the following objectives: Comparison of the physiological responses, as measured during carrying activities in different sizes of rice-bags and in different types of carrying tasks. Development and testing of a mathematical model for the prediction of the acceptable weight of rice-bags carrying using the criterion of an individual's VO2 value at 30%VO2max, A sub-maximal exercise protocol was applied to predict the aerobic capacity (VO2max) using a bicycling exercise protocol. The physiological responses were heart rate (bpm) and oxygen consumption (1/min). The individual safe weight was considered as the dependent variables from the criteria 30%VO2max, and age, anthropometric data and strength data were used as the independent variables. Ten male workers, 25–42 years of age, were paid to work as subjects of the experiment. All were employed to carry rice bags as their primary job. The results of the experiment were analyzed using the analysis of variance procedure. The predictive models of the safe weight was developed using a backward multiple linear regression technique. The model was validated using 3 extra subjects. It was concluded that the model could reasonably predict the safe weight based on the 30%VO2max. It was suggested that the safe weight for the rice-bag be about 100 kg.
Effective Reduction in Workplace Injuries Through Implementation of Integrated OH & S Management Systems
Authors: Caple David C 
Published: January 2012

The long term sustained reduction in all injuries, including musculo-skeletal disorders, was assessed in this study through a series of intervention programs in large government and private employers. The study included two large government employers with 8,000 and 10,000 employees working out of 150 and 200 geographically spread workplaces respectively. It also included a network of public hospitals, and a series of 20 case studies involving private companies who participated in an OH & S management system auditing program. A financial incentive was provided by the workers compensation insurer to those companies who scored well in this audit. The studies found that a range of key imperatives were common amongst those workplaces where sustained reductions in reported injuries was achieved. Such imperatives provided a foundation for the identification and implementation of prevention initiatives to address MSD's. The ad hoc approach to introducing ergonomics workplace modifications, on a case by case basis was found to be less effective when compared to this approach as part of an integrated OH & S management system.
Patient Transfers and the Preventive Effects for Over-Exertion Back Injury of Training and use of Transfer Devices among Nursing Personnel
Authors: Engkvist Inga-Lill , Hjelm Ewa Wigaeus , Hagberg Mats 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Nursing personnel have a high prevalence of occupational back injuries compared to other occupational groups. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of training and use of transfer devices for reported over-exertion back injuries among nursing personnel involved in patient transfer. RESULTS: Nurses who transferred patients once or more per shift had an increased relative risk (RR=3.3, 95%CI=2.2–5.1). Nurses who had got training in how to use the transfer devices on their own ward showed a lower relative risk for patient transfer (RR=1.6, CI=0.9–2.8) compared to nurses without training (RR=6.0, CI=3.0–12.0). Also the use of transfer devices in ≥1/4 of all patient transfers, reduced the relative risk (RR=1.5, CI=0.6–3.4) compared to nurses who seldom used devices (RR=3.9, CI=2.3–6.6) DISCUSSION: The results show the importance of training the nurses in how to use the transfer devices on their wards and to encourage the nurses to use the transfer devices frequently during patient transfer. This presupposes that necessary and good transfer devices are available on all wards.
Evaluation of Usability in Home Appliances
Authors: de Melo Alessandra Fernandes , Gontijo Leila Amaral 
Published: January 2012

The products used in domestic atmosphere have been absorbing the technological progresses continually, resulting in larger complexity in terms of its characteristics and functionality. Basing on the ergonomics' vision and usability measures on projects of products a method of usability evaluation was developed, which hopes to point the items that are hindering the interface and to understand the difficulties found by the user. This bases on the hypothesis that the consideration of usability approaches in consumption products favors the relationship consumer versus final product. And that interface problems in devices of information, command and control of consumption products can be reduced by means of the application of a study that tries to detect the usability needs and to transform it in suggestions for improvements in the product.
Personality, Stress, and Performance for Army Recruiters
Authors: Mullins Linda L. , Fatkin Linda T. 
Published: January 2012

Recent research conducted with Army Recruiters has classified recruiting as a high-risk occupation that includes consistently high levels of stress. Some recruiters seem to possess stress-resilient characteristics while others are more vulnerable to the effects of stress. The objective of the present study was to empirically identify recruiter characteristics that contribute to recruiter stress and performance. Participants for the study included 145 recruiters. The Zuckerman Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire III-Revised was used as a measure of personality. The Multiple Affect Adjective CheckList - Revised, Subjective Stress Scale, and Specific Rating of Events Scale were administered as state measures of stress. A performance percentage was calculated for each recruiter by dividing the number of individuals recruited by the number of recruits required to meet their mission. A cluster analysis was performed using the subscale measures of the ZKPQ resulting in a four-cluster solution: High Impulsivity-High Neuroticism, Low Impulsivity-High Neuroticism, Low Impulsivity-Low Neuroticism, and High Impulsivity-Low Neuroticism. Separate ANOVAs were computed between clusters for recruiter performance and stress measures. Generally the results from this research indicate individuals in the high Neuroticism groups perceive higher levels of stress. Differences in personality did not result in performance differences.
Test and Evaluation: The Changing Nature of our Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Cameron Joyce A. 
Published: January 2012

Traditionally, human factors/ergonomics professionals, especially in the United States, use concepts and methods derived from engineering and experimental psychology, both of which are rooted in the conceptual framework of classical, seventeenth-century, Newtonian physics. As a result, our conceptual foundations emphasize reductionism and determinism. However, we need to update these conceptual foundations to reflect the reality of the science of today. Concepts such as holism demand re-thinking the structure of scientific knowledge; principles such as uncertainty have profound implications concerning observation and measurement; and principles such as complementarity require re-examination of the nature of scientific explanation. Many variables of interest to Test and Evaluation (T&E) professionals can be investigated using concepts and methods derived from the physical sciences, the life sciences, and/or the human sciences. However, the science used will profoundly influence the available explanatory concepts and the resulting explanations. Thus, in addition to defining the questions to be asked, T&E professionals need also to consider the kind of science to be used in each investigation.
Ergonomics in Large Machinery Design
Authors: McPhee Barbara 
Published: January 2012

Until recently in Australia it has been difficult to convince machinery manufacturers that ergonomics was worthy of their attention and action. Ergonomics evaluation of a range of machinery has been hampered by a lack of accessible, useable design criteria. Formal Standards, such as the Standard on Plant give guidelines on risk assessment but nothing specific in terms of ergonomics design guidelines. Most other Standards are out-of-date or are inconsistent with current practice in Australia. By necessity most occupational health and safety regulations and standards for heavy equipment define their design in terms of broad principles to reduce risks to health and safety. To assist designers, purchasers and users of heavy machinery in the application of ergonomics principles it may be worth developing useability standards such as those used for computer systems. These may be applied to generate more specific design and performance specifications using the consultative risk assessment process.
Prospect of the Next-Term Human Body Measurement in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Kazushige 
Published: January 2012

Research Institute of Human Engineering for Quality Life (HQL) is planning to update the current human body measurement database by collecting new body measurement data, as well as it carries out the following development of measurement technology from 1999 to 2001. I. Development of New 3-D Body Surface Measurement System (1999 ∼ 2001) a. Generation of the super accurate data and reduction of the measuring time b. Measurement of the invisible human body parts c. Extraction of anatomical landmarks II. Development of New Data Format for 3-D Human Body Shape (1999) The human body shape generated from image data has difficulty in comparing data and comprehending distribution. This project aims at conducting the research and development to make the scan result easier to analyze and utilize.
Communication of Ergonomics Information to Student Designers; Are we Improving?
Authors: Porter C.S. , Porter J.M. 
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the development of a tool (the checklist) and method (the package drawing) for facilitating the inclusion of ‘sound’ ergonomics into student product designs. The checklist was developed by the authors for teaching purposes. It is very simple and enables the student to identify all the ergonomics requirements and issues associated with their product, the ergonomics information they require and how they might source the information. It also provides a discussion tool for staff tutorials, ensuring that students have thought about pertinent issues prior to the tutorial. It has improved the identification of ergonomics issues, their solutions and levels of communication between students and staff. The ‘package’ drawing is the automotive industry standard for visually presenting the way in which the occupants and mechanicals are arranged within a vehicle. Some aspects of ergonomics are presented e.g. sight lines and fit. In student projects this often the totality of the presented ergonomics. The method has, therefore, been developed and extended to encompass initial evaluations of ingress/egress, access to storage space and. ranges of adjustment required to provide more ergonomics information. It has improved the coverage of some of the basic issues of ‘fit’ and has been well received by the students because it is visual.