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Abstract: The poultry abattoir industry continues to grow and contribute significantly to the gross domestic product in many countries. The industry expects working shifts of eight to eleven hours, during which workers are exposed to occupational hazards which include physical hazards ranging from noise, vibration, exposure to cold and ergonomic stress from manual, repetitive tasks that require force. A PubMed, Medline and Science Direct online database search, using specific keywords was conducted and the results confirmed that physical and ergonomic hazards impact on abattoir processing workers health, with harm not only to workers’ health but also as an economic burden due to the loss of their livelihoods and the need for treatment and compensation in the industry. This review endeavours to highlight the contribution poultry processing plays in the development of physical agents and ergonomic stress related occupational diseases in poultry abattoir processing workers. The impact includes noise-induced hearing loss, increased blood pressure, menstrual and work related upper limb disorders. These are summarised as a quick reference guide for poultry abattoir owners, abattoir workers, poultry associations, occupational hygienists and medical practitioners to assist in the safer management of occupational health in poultry abattoirs.

The public security and working safety are the most important issue for technical engineers operated in nuclear power plant, to face the works with the equipment in nuclear power plant. An Ergonomics Knowledge and Intelligent DEsign System¡]EKIDES¡^ was developed by Munich University of Technology, Germany. EKIDES is a set of ergonomic project software, which has been applied to some institution, such as BMW, AUDI and RWE Essen. This thesis is mainly based on EKIDES, which is introduced to the ergonomic training as well as aids for staffs survey the operation of nuclear power plant. First, EKIDES has been translated to a Chinese version, which includes the existing task analysis, such as environmental factors, technical components, service manual and operating instructions, referring the data of body size, forces and motions, for the most basic requirement of ergonomics. Second, the customer information about the nuclear energy is added into the database, including basic rules and laws of nuclear power plant. Third, a remote function is linked into EKIDES. By utilizing a web-cam, one can have the convenience for monitoring security and a training for operating nuclear power plant. Finally, an assessment interface is developed by Visual Basic for testing the comfortableness of the panel color of instrument. From this program one has a questionnaire test for comfortable color. Through analysis, a distribution of comfortable color has been found out referring to the panel design for the future. This work can also be used for training new employees of nuclear power plant. This study has performed for testing some engineers in the Third Nuclear Power Plant of Taipower Co. in PingTung, Taiwan. A comfortable panel color and brightness distribution has been analyzed from color scale of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple, black and white. In accordance with the result, the comfortable color of background is in the range of blue, indigo and green, and the comfortable brightness of background is between 14 to 20 Lux.

The purposes of the present work were: 1) to develop a computerized model that could predict the personal lift-assist device (PLAD) spring excursion and control spring stiffness for various individuals based on their anthropometry and working posture and 2) to test the PLAD’s (Version 6) effectiveness and user acceptability during static forward bending in an automotive assembly plant. Study 1 required 30 subjects to carry out a protocol that simulated unloaded stoop, squat, and freestyle lifting. Trunk inclination and knee angles were determined via 3 FastrakTM sensors, whereas a displacement transducer attached in-line with the PLAD determined excursion when the trunk or knees flexed. A model was created to determine spring excursion, and it was successfully validated with 10 additional subjects. A computerized model applying the excursion model and mathematical equations was also developed to calculate the required spring stiffness for offsetting a proportion of the L4/L5 bending moment for each individual in various postures. Study 2 investigated the effectiveness and user acceptability of the PLAD at an automotive manufacturing facility, using operators who performed an assembly process requiring forward bending and static holds. Surface EMG data were collected at six sites on the low back and abdomen, and a tri-axial accelerometer was mounted on each subject’s sternum to measure trunk inclination. A 20% reduction in the L4/L5 bending moment was provided to each wearer using the aforementioned computerized model. The PLAD was able to significantly reduce low back muscular activity, predicted-compression, and ratings of perceived exertion, without significantly changing abdominal activity or trunk inclination. Workers had positive opinions about the device, and 80% said they would wear the device everyday on-line. Additionally, the computerized model developed in Study 1 was effective, as worker low back muscular activity was reduced by approximately 20% when wearing the PLAD. With slight alterations, the PLAD appears to be beneficial in reducing low back forces and discomfort in many tasks that place excessive biomechanical loading on the low back. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-18 15:55:16.757

Examensarbetet genomfördes åt företaget Corus Byggsystem AB. Ett företag placerat i Halmstad som tillverkar profilplåt och lättbalk till tak och fasader. Företaget erbjuder även god rådgivning och skapar optimala lösningar för kunden. I företagets produktion finns det en maskin som pressar specialbalkar. Denna arbetsplats är varken produktionseffektiv eller ergonomiskt riktig då materialet och balkarna lyftes manuellt, i vissa fall även över huvudet. På tunga arbetsplatser är det oerhört viktigt att se över ergonomin, både för att förbättra säkerheten och för att öka produktionsvolymen. Fokus lades därför vid att förbättra arbetsplatsen ergonomiskt för att resultera i ett säkert och produktionseffektivt resultat. Som metod har tre olika varianter använts. Främst Ullmans metod The Mechanical Design Process och Fredy Olssons Primär- och Principkonstruktion. Även SVID’s Designprocess har funnits väl till pass. / This thesis work has been conducted for Corus Byggsystem AB. The company is located in Halmstad and manufactures profile claddings and purlins from sheet metal. The company also offers the customers professional advice and creates optimal solutions. In the production there is a press brake that manufactures purlins. This work station has neither efficient production or is ergonomically correct. The material and purlins are lifted manually by the workers and in some cases over the head. For heavy work, it is extremely important to apply an ergonomic approach, both to improve security for the workers and to increase the manufacturing volume. The focus was therefore on how to improve the workplace ergonomically to result in a safe workplace with efficient manufacturing results. The method that was mainly used in this project was David G. Ullmans The Mechanical Design Process and Fredy Olssons Primärkonstruktion and Principkonstruktion. Also SVID’s Design Process has been used as support.

This study examined an existing industrial workstation at an automobile assembly plant using computer aided ergonomics and digital human models. The purpose of this evaluation was the development of a methodology useful for evaluating workstations to identify potential design issues that could result in musculoskeletal injury in a real work environment. An ergonomic risk assessment was conducted on a lifting task while being performed both manually and using an assist device. JACK digital human modeling and ergonomics software were used to conduct a computer-based ergonomic analysis. Four analysis tools in JACK (static strength analysis, rapid upper limb assessment, metabolic energy expenditure analysis and NIOSH lift analysis) were used to evaluate the potential injury risk of the current method of task performance and there is any difference between using and not using the assist device. Muscle activity was measured by electromyography (EMG) to identify physiological indicators of fatigue. Also, Borg¡¯s Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale was administered to obtain psychophysical data. Results of this study revealed that there were relative stresses on the trunk and arm areas when the task was performed manually. The results also suggest although using the assist device decreased injury risk potentially, use of the assist device had an adverse impact on the productivity of the assembly line. Based on the findings of this study, the methodology used appears to be an appropriate ergonomic analysis tool for assessing and predicting potential risks associated with the design of industrial workstations. Furthermore this methodology can be extended to designing and redesigning industrial workstations.

Darbo tikslas. Įvertinti profilaktinių ergonomikos principų taikymo darbo vietoje mokymo poreikį ir galimybes „X“ įmonėje. Uždaviniai. Įvertinti darbuotojų informatyvumą apie ergonomines darbo padėtis, darbo ir poilsio režimą, specialius akių ir fizinius pratimus ir jų atlikimą per pertraukas „X“ įmonėje. Nustatyti profilaktinių ergonomikos principų taikymo darbo vietoje mokymo darbuotojams poreikį ir galimybes „X“ įmonėje. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimas buvo atliktas 2012 m. gruodžio – 2013 m. sausio mėn. „X“ įmonėje, kurioje darbuotojai dirba kompiuteriu visą darbo dieną. Anoniminės anketos būdu buvo apklausti 123 darbuotojai. Duomenų analizei buvo apskaičiuotas Chi kvadrato kriterijus, taip pat, z kriterijus. Reikšmingumo lygmuo, kai p<0,05. Rezultatai. 12,2 proc. darbuotojų, kurie sieja savo sveikatos nusiskundimus su ergonomine darbo padėtimi, ir 38,8 proc. respondentų, kurie nesieja, sėdi tiesiai naudojantis kompiuteriu (p<0,05). Apie 5 – 10 min. pertraukas yra neinformuota 96,3 proc. nedalyvavusių panašiuose ergonomikos mokymuose, 94,6 proc. respondentų, kurie sieja sveikatos nusiskundimus su ergonomine darbo padėtimi bei 100 proc., kurių darbo stažas 10 – 20 m. Informuoti apie fizinius ir specialius akių pratimus buvo 1,9 proc. darbuotojų, kurie nedalyvavo panašiuose ergonomikos mokymuose, 5,4 proc. siejantys sveikatos nusiskundimus su ergonomine darbo padėtimi, labiausiai informuoti buvo dirbantys iki 10 m. tokio pobūdžio darbą (4,8 proc.). 73,1 proc. nedalyvavusių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of the study. To evaluate training need and possibilities in application of the preventive ergonomic principles at the workplace of the „X” company. Objectives. To evaluate employees‘ knowledge about an ergonomic work posture, work and rest regimens, the special physical and eye exercises and their performance during breaks at the „X“ company. To determinate training need and possibilities in application of the preventive ergonomic principles at the workplace of the „X“ company. Methods. The research was carried out during December 2012 - January 2013 period in the „X“ company, where employees work with computers all working day. An anonymous questionnaire was filled out by 123 employees. The Chi-square and z criteria were calculated for data analysis, and the level of significance was when p<0.05. Results. The rate of the employees, sitting straight in front of a computer, was 12.2% of those, who relate their health complaints with the ergonomic work posture, and 38.8% of the respondents, who do not relate (p<0.05). 96.3% of the employees, who have not participated in similar ergonomic trainings before, 94.6% of the respondents, who relate their health complaints with the ergonomic work posture, and 100%, whose length of employment is from 10 to 20 years, do not know about 5 – 10 min. breaks. About the special physical and eye exercises were informed 1.9% of the employees, who have not participated in similar ergonomic trainings before, 5.4% of the respondents, who... [to full text]

Gesetzliche Vorschriften verlangen bei Konstruktion und Inverkehrbringen von Maschinen die Beachtung einer wachsenden Anzahl von Normen und Richtlinien. Zunehmend spielt ebenso die Einhaltung ergonomischer Standards sowohl für den Gesetzgeber als auch für die Kunden eine immer wichtigere Rolle. Die Umsetzung dieser Forderungen gestaltet sich für Konstrukteure durch die Vielzahl von Vorschriften in unterschiedlichsten Quellen schwierig, insbesondere in kleinen und mittelständischen Unternehmen. Die ergonomiegerechte Konstruktion von Maschinen wird in Zukunft, unabhängig von der Unternehmens- und Auftragsgröße, ein wichtiger Erfolgsfaktor für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit jedes Unternehmens im Maschinenbau sein. Konstrukteure stehen insbesondere vor der Aufgabe, Gesundheitsrisiken für das Bedienpersonal frühzeitig zu erkennen, Belastungssituationen abzuschätzen, ergonomische Problembereiche zu identifizieren und mit geeigneten konzeptuellen Lösungen zu begegnen. Dafür spielen Ergonomiebewertungen innerhalb von Risikoanalysen eine entscheidende Rolle. Ergonomiegerecht konstruierte Maschinen bieten marktrelevante Vorteile für den Hersteller. Neben der Reduzierung von Folgekosten durch Nachrüsten, Service und Support spielt die erhöhte Kundenzufriedenheit eine wichtige Rolle.

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In 2018 IKEA Industry, the largest producer of wood-based furniture for IKEA customers presented their sustainability strategy for Financial Year 2025. In Health &amp; Safety, they want to minimize ergonomic risks at their factories. To be able to understand what risks the factories contain, the first step is a common ergonomic risk assessment methodology. Because of a lack of knowledge in ergonomics at IKEA Industry, the responsibility was laid on this master thesis project. This project has with the help of interviews, surveys and observations found what needs the factories have in ergonomic risk assessment. A literature review also found things that the factories should have but haven´t asked for. Using benchmarking, several common methods used on the market has been summarized and analyzed by the requirements. Three methods, KIM, RAMP and HARM were chosen to be tested by the factories. In a user test, it was clear that KIM was easiest to use. HARM was eliminated because of the lack of evaluating lifting and pushing movements. To choose between KIM and RAMP they were evaluated in terms of the requirements. The results showed that KIM was the best method for IKEA Industry factories. At some places RAMP had good assessment methods. In order to not ignore these, they have been implemented into KIM to make it suit the factories even better. The result ended up in a document called Global standard of ergonomic risk assessment. The method is divided into three different methods depending on if you have lifting/ carrying work, pushing work or repetitive work. The results are then summarized in a chart that shows what needs to be investigated. This project has also with the help of the literature and the analysis of the factory, decided which roles that will participate in the assessment. The suggestions are manager, ergonomist and a production co-worker. With the help of this method, the factories will be able to understand what ergonomic risks they have. They will only need to evaluate the work tasks with the help of this method and will then be presented all high, medium or low ergonomic risks in the factories to minimize these before FY2025. / 2018 presenterade IKEA Industry, världens största möbeltillverkare, deras hållbarhetsstrategi inför finansiella året 2025. Inom Hälsa &amp; säkerhet vill dem minska sina ergonomiska risker på fabrikerna. För att förstå vilka risker som finns har dem kommit fram till att skapa en bedömningsmetod som är gemensam bland fabrikerna. Då företaget har en brist i kunskap inom ergonomi har företaget valt att lägga över ansvaret på detta exjobb. Detta projekt har med hjälp av intervjuer, enkäter och observationer kommit fram till vad för behov fabrikerna har vad gäller ergonomisk riskbedömning. Med litteratur har även andra behov hittats som anses behövs men fabrikerna har inte insett behovet. För att hitta metoder har det genomförts en benchmarking där flera av de mest vanliga och erkända ergonomiska riskbedömningsmetoder har sammanfattats. Dessa metoder har sedan analyserats med hjälp av behoven och KIM, RAMP och HARM blev utvalda. Dessa har sedan testats av fabrikerna med hjälp av ett användartest. Resultatet visade på att KIM var enklast att användas. HARM valdes även bort på grund av dess brist i bedömning av lyft och drag. För att kunna välja vilken metod som passar IKEA Industry bäst bedömdes KIM och RAMP med avseende på de olika krav som sattes upp. Här visade det sig att KIM var den mest lämpade metoden för IKEA Industry. Då KIM ibland hade brister i bedömningen som RAMP var bättre på valdes det att lägga in vissa delar från RAMP för att komplettera KIM. Resultatet blev ett dokument vid namn ”Global standard inom ergonomisk riskbedömning”. Metoden är uppdelad i tre olika metoder beroende på om lyftarbete, drag/skjutande arbete eller repetitivt arbete skall bedömas. Resultaten är sedan sammanfattade i en tabell som visar vilka områden som behövs undersökas. Projektet har även med hjälp av teori och analys av fabrikerna kommit fram till vilka roller som skall deltaga i ett bedömningsarbete. Förslaget blev slutligen, ansvarig chef, ergonom och en produktionsarbetare. Med hjälp av denna metod skall fabrikerna kunna förstå vad för risker dem har i fabrikerna. Dem kommer endast behöva använda dokumentet, utvärdera och sedan få information om alla höga, medium och låga risker för att minimera dessa innan FY2025.