Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Mebarki, Bouhafs | El-Bachir, Tebboune Cheikh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The growing need in Algeria to develop ergonomics knowledge and practice in industry was behind the initiative to develop a training and research project within the ergonomics laboratory at Oran University. Since 2005 the laboratory team is running an academic option master in work design and ergonomics. The evaluation of the academic master in 2010 revealed the acute need of the local industry for professional competences in ergonomic and work psychology. A professional training master program in “ergonomics & work psychology” was then developed in partnership with local industry, five European Universities and six Universities from three Maghreb countries. Research …projects were initiated around the two training programs, in conjunction with a number of ergonomics dissemination and promotion activities. Preliminary results of the project are presented and discussed in relation to the local context, and in the light of similar cases in Industrially Developing Countries. Show more

Keywords: promoting and disseminating ergonomics, knowledge and practice, research and training, ergonomic and work psychology, partnership

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1059-6050

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6050-6053, 2012

Authors: Fernández, Juan M Dulce | Carbonell, Laura M Pimienta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The design of the electronic pad for office chairs, required to identify the needs and difficulties of an office user, by initially conducting surveys and observational studies that allowed to identify ergonomic deficiencies in the workplace, and user's bad habits, which were reflected in back pain, neck and shoulder affections and some diseases caused by these symptoms, that finally impacted on worker's health and productivity.

Keywords: Job Analysis and work design, human factors engineering, occupational health, ergonomics in design, Musculoskeletal Disorders

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1060-6054

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6054-6058, 2012

Authors: Martins, Suzana Barreto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to present a methodological proposition, named OIKOS, to evaluate comfort and usability in clothing and fashion products. The development of the methodology was based on the need to underlay the project of clothing and fashion products with ergonomic and usability principles in all the stages of the product development, since its conception. The theoretical foundation lays on the introduction of ergonomics and usability as fundamental variables while developing clothing and fashion product projects, to obtain comfort. The OIKOS Methodology proposition incorporates ergonomic features, usability principles and comfort criteria for clothing and fashion products. These …will be guidelines to fulfill the user different requirements relating to the clothing and fashion products adjustment and quality. Besides reaching the intended comfort, this methodological proposition contributes to extend the product's life cycle, reducing the environment impact caused by its early disposal, and at the same time establishes an emotional connection between the user and the product. Show more

Keywords: Fashion and Clothing, Ergonomics, Usability, Comfort, OIKOS Methodology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1061-6059

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6059-6067, 2012

Authors: de Oliveira, Luciana Duarte Satler | Magalhães, Sarina Occhipinti

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to investigate the work ability of employees within a multinational corporation specialized in supplying automated production lines and maintenance of industrial assets and the relation between work shifts and the work ability. This is a descriptive comparative study conducted in the company, with a sample of 776 maintenance workers. We used the Work Ability Index (WAI) to assess their ability to work. The study subjects were young adults, all male, around 37 years old, divided into 53.6% in the fixed shift and 46.4% in rotating shifts. From the results, it can be concluded that …workers in general have good work ability, but when divided into shifts, better results are found in the group of rotating shift workers. Further study should be conducted to investigate whether the shift interferes on the outcome of WAI. Show more

Keywords: work ability, working conditions, health worker's day shift and night shift

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1062-6068

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6068-6070, 2012

Authors: de Carvalho, Ricardo José Matos

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ergopolis defines itself as an idea for thinking and transforming the city from the understanding of its own complexity and the complex human activity in it. The city is a living social organism where social production and reproduction take place. It is a sociotechnical and human-technological system where transformations and adaptations occur. The current article aims to gather and present cognitive ergonomics approaches, ranging from anthropotechnology, macroergonomics, resilience engineering and situated economy as a feasible theoretical and methodological path to be used in the understanding of the urban problems related to health, safety, accessibility, usability, mobility, people comfort and environmental …sustainability of the city. The city is a situated space through which people with distinct features, capabilities and limitations perform daily singular activities i.e. leisure, entertainment or work notwithstanding whether they have economic and/or profitable aims or not. Show more

Keywords: Ergopolis, ergonomics, cognition, resilience, city

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1063-6071

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6071-6078, 2012

Authors: Trask, Catherine | Mathiassen, Svend Erik | Wahlström, Jens | Heiden, Marina | Rezagholi, Mahmoud

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Documentation of posture measurement cost is rare and cost models that do exist are generally naïve. This paper provides a comprehensive cost model for ergonomic research, documents the monetary costs of three exposure assessment methods (inclinometry, video observation, and self-report), and discusses cost components. Trunk and shoulder posture were assessed for 27 aircraft baggage handlers for 3 full shifts each using three methods typical to ergonomics: self-report via questionnaire, observation via video film, and full-shift inclinometer registration. The model accounted for costs related to meetings to plan the study, administration, recruitment, equipment, training of data collectors, travel, and onsite data …collection. Findings show that inclinometer was the most expensive method, followed by observation and then self report; the majority of costs (90%) were borne by researchers. Study design parameters such as sample size, measurement scheduling and spacing, concurrent measurements, location and travel, and equipment acquisition were shown to have wide-ranging impacts on costs. This study provided empirical cost data for use in cost models that can facilitate decision making and planning of future studies, and can be used to investigate cost efficiency in future studies. Show more

Keywords: cost efficiency, exposure assessment, work related musculoskeletal disorders, methods development

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1064-6079

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6079-6086, 2012

Authors: dos Santos, Carlos Maurício Duque | Costa Neto, Pedro Luiz Oliveira

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aims to present and assess a management model for implementing ergonomic improvements in the quality of working conditions in production processes in order to meet the requirements of Regulation Standard NR-17 (Brazilian Health and Safety Labor Regulations), which is an integral part of the Brazilian Labor Legislation. The object was to create a Company Ergonomics Management Model. The management model was implemented in two companies on their manufacturing production lines producing different products and demonstrating satisfactory results.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Quality, Management Model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1065-6087

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6087-6093, 2012

Authors: Rodrigues, Fernanda | Teixeira, Nuno

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Human activity is always associated with a probability of risk exposure that have to be eliminated or kept in an acceptable level. The acceptable level concept depends on the self evaluation in function of different subjective and objective factors, being extremely important to quantify objectively the risk. The risk assessment permits to get the knowledge of the working interactions that have to be studied and determine what kind of interventions must be implemented, when and how. The maintenance activities of medical equipments such as for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialyses, involve diverse occupational risk. During this study its assessment was …carried out through the SOBANE methodology - Screening Observation Analysis Expertise (in the Screening phase). The risk assessment depicts that the principal hazards those technicians are exposed are related with ergonomics, psychosocial, electrical, fall at the same level, biologics and fire. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the risk assessment during maintenance activities of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialyses equipments. Show more

Keywords: Equipments maintenance, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hazards, case study

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1066-6094

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6094-6097, 2012

Authors: Steffner, Daniel | Schenkman, Bo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Change blindness on web pages was studied for 20 participants. The purpose was to find how change blindness appears for web pages, and which changes are easier to detect. The task was to detect if a change had occurred and to show this by the means of the cursor. Rensink's flicker paradigm was used, where four categories of changes were presented. It was easier to detect a change not consisting of a person than one with a person. It was easier to detect a change to the left than to the right. The complexity of the web pages did not …appear to have an effect, while large changes were easier to detect than small. The results may indicate that focused attention is differently sensitive for different kinds of changes. They also show that change blindness is a general phenomenon that can be applied to the perception of web pages. Show more

Keywords: Change blindness, attention, perception, web pages, reaction time

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1067-6098

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6098-6102, 2012

Authors: Orenha, Eliel Soares | Naressi, Suely Mutti Carvalho | Teixeira, Symone Cristina | Rosetti, Enzo | Plácido da Silva, José Carlos | Bormio, Mariana Falcão | Fontana, Artemis Rodrigues | Meneghim, Marcelo de Castro | Soares, Angélica Cristiane Búlio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to describe how to evaluate and quantify the ergonomic satisfaction level of dental clinics rooms. Requirements for design, production and selection of dental equipment as described in ISO/TC-106/SC-6-N-411, support more comprehensive studies for an ergonomic evaluation and ergo design of the dental workstations. It was created a checklist of ergonomics requirements which is supported by Standards ISO/FDI and acquired by mean of a literature review. According to information exposed at the document of the Ergonomics Society of Dental Ergonomics - ESDE we can consider that the elaboration of an ergonomic evaluation protocol regard to the dental workstation …is an important demand for the ergonomics, particularly in relation to the performance of the ergonomic design which presents qualified to assist to dental equipment manufactures. By this means, the identification of the evaluation factors pointed in ISO/TC 106/SC 6 N 411 offers the basic information to the process of elaboration of this protocol addressed by the described general guidelines. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, design, dental equipment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1068-6103

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6103-6106, 2012