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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: Telemedicine has emerged as an effective tool for providing high quality healthcare service and health-related information, especially in rural areas. Rural areas often have a larger elderly population with greater rates of preventable disease. These areas also have fewer medical resources and specialists, and have limited access to health services, all of which can influence overall health. An internet-based telemedicine system can be one solution to provide the rural elderly with the proper health information when needed. The elderly obviously have limited capabilities compared with younger adults in the use of internet technology. However, the interfaces of the currently existing…internet-based telemedicine systems are not specifically developed for elderly users. This paper suggests future interface design research for an internet-based telemedicine system specifically for the elderly.
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Abstract: Gerontolinguistic obtains a growing importance with the increase of elderly users due to Demographic Change. Since acceptance and ease of use of supportive systems for elderly, such as “E-Nursing-Assistants“, are highly dependent on the age suitable design of readable instructions, an age-appropriate linguistic concept is of high value for usability. There has been only little research on the relevance of foreign words, signal words, textual arrangement, optical accentuation of key terms and temporal iconicity concerning older users. Thus, an efficient design of age suitable manual instructions within a medical context still remains to be done. The objective of this research…was to evaluate the relevance of the previously mentioned factors in the context of written instructions. For this, an empirical survey was designed which was given to 45 study participants. The subjects of the experiment were given 4x3 instructions after a pretest questionnaire. The aim was to execute these instructions as correctly and quickly as possible. Furthermore the instructions were rated regarding comprehensibility with a retrospective questionnaire.
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Keywords: readability, 50+, temporal iconicity, linguistic factors, layout factors
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0182-357
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 357-361, 2012
Abstract: As the world population is ageing, studies on the socio-economic and health consequences are proliferating. Little has been done on the effectiveness and impact elderly may benefit from the use of technology in their everyday life. The pilot study, implemented within a funded project aimed at identifying sustainable actions to promote Seniors’ quality of life, intended to investigate this kind of interaction in terms of accessibility and acceptability that senior citizen experience with technological devices promoting motor and cognitive training. In the hypothesis, interfaces and technological artifacts, that still take in little account the seniors’ physical characteristics (e.g. physiological limitations…in sight, hearing, movement) and cognitive processes (selective memory often driven by practical needs), can cause elderly to mistrust technology. Study participants were twenty over seventy-year-old people, who were observed and interviewed in context in a two-hour training session regarding the technological devices user experience. The results are presented with scenario-based techniques that help represent typologies of users in different use situations. Findings confirm the hypothesis, highlighting that elderly may accept technological artifacts when they perceive them as bringing benefits in terms of well-being and health.
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Keywords: ageing, quality of life, usability, interaction design
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0183-362
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 362-369, 2012
Abstract: The elderly are at an increased risk for being diagnosed with diabetes. While previous studies have examined technique errors when a patient used his or her current blood glucometer or a single novel glucometer, no study has measured errors as a patient transferred to using a second, novel experimental glucometer. Results support findings that older adults perform more slowly and less accurately than younger adults when transferring between pieces of equipment. Implications for future blood glucometer design and training are discussed.
Keywords: healthcare, aging, medical devices, blood glucose monitor
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0184-370
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 370-373, 2012
Abstract: This study was conducted with older adults living in a long-stay institution in the city of Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil with the objective of assessing the influence of muscle strength loss in the risk of falls. The sample consisted of 65 elderly who walk without the aid of support for locomotion, 37 women and 28 men, aged between 67 and 80 years. The risk of falls was assessed through the TUG test. To determine the handgrip strength, a hand dynamometer model Jamar ( was used, which provides the result in kg / force (kgf), being held only with the…dominant hand. The results showed that in the last 12 months, only 32% of the elderly surveyed had no fall and the average handgrip strength was 24.32 ( 11.22 kgf; 40% had one fall and the average handgrip strength was 23.82 ( 10.18 kgf; 8% had two falls and the average handgrip strength was 19.48 ( 8.21 kgf and 20% had more than one fall and the average handgrip strength of 18.13 ( 7.33 Kgf., indicating that the force levels are statistically lower among elderly at high risk of falls (p> 0.05). It was concluded that the lower the force level, the greater the likelihood of falls. Thus, it is important to stress that due to the loss of muscle strength, all ergonomic hazards and architectural barriers must be removed so that older adults can perform their tasks more easily, with comfort and safety.
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Keywords: aging, ergonomics, accident
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0185-374
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 374-379, 2012
Abstract: The EU and its Member States have identified population ageing as one of the key economic and social challenges to be faced. A high employment rate for older workers is essential. The ability to work is a prerequisite for a high employment rate for older workers. From 1965-2000, we carried out physiological and ergonomic studies in enterprises in Estonia, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova and proposed measures to avoid health risks. Our investigations were commissioned by industrial enterprises to improve the workplace and working conditions. The most interesting finding was that it was possible to markedly postpone the development of ageing…changes in workers’ bodies by up to 20 years without major investments.
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Keywords: ergonomics, youth, ageing
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0186-380
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 380-382, 2012
Abstract: French companies are legally required to develop action plans to improve employment and work conditions for older workers (“plans seniors”). These plans contain measures oriented towards recruiting, career evolution, skills developme1nt, knowledge transmission and improvement of work conditions. A tool for assessing work situations experienced by council buildings caretakers (“gardiens”) was used in such a plan on behalf of the main agency of council housing in Paris, and we developed. This assessment tool was developed after ergonomic work analysis on a sample of 36 older caretakers (age > 57 y.o). The technical inspectors in charge of technical interventions on buildings…and managing caretakers were trained to use the assessment tool and apply it to all caretakers aged 50 and over.
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Keywords: work analysis, aging, social housing, management training
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1004-383
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 383-387, 2012
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a regression equation that, incorporating the potential energy of the load in the hands, was capable of improved predictions of spinal compression forces. A stepwise polynomial equation was developed from EMG profiles of 15 muscles, and its spinal joint loading predictions at L4/L5 were compared to current methods of calculating spinal compression. Absolute muscle activation was shown to increase with increased loading height, indicating that the central nervous system responds to changes in spinal stability. The inclusion of potential energy into the calculation of spinal disc compression at L4/L5 improved estimates of…the compressive forces acting on the spine. This is the first model to incorporate potential energy into a predictive model for lumbar spine compression without the use of electromyography. It was concluded that potential energy plays a vital role in dictating the recruitment patterns of the trunk.
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Keywords: lifting, compression, low back loading
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0187-388
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 388-393, 2012
Abstract: Physical workload is a continuous problem, even in modern workplaces. The purpose of the survey was to determine the effect of support on employees’ physical load factors at workplaces. Training, guidance and support were the main focus areas of the early support intervention, which aimed to enable supervisors to find weak signals of impaired ergonomics. The survey was carried out in the form of a controlled longitudinal study, and the material was gathered via a questionnaire in both 2008 and 2010 from two co-operative trade groups. The final sample was 301 intervention subjects and 235 control subjects, and the…response rate was 45% in both groups. We applied factor analysis to reduce the number of items. The physical load factors’ sum score consisted of six items. We used logistic regression in the statistical analysis. Encouragement to improve processes at the workplace increased the probability of positive change (i.e. decrease) in physical load factors. The same applied to working pace, if individuals could control it themselves. In contrast, workload and the support of supervisors had a reversed impact on workers’ physical load factors. Focusing on promoting workers’ ergonomics is still important in workplaces when aiming to decrease physical load factors.
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Keywords: ergonomics, weak signals, effects, intervention, follow-up study
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0188-394
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 394-396, 2012
Abstract: Recently, an equation was developed to predict maximal acceptable effort (MAE) for repetitive tasks based on the product of task frequency and effort duration (ie. duty cycle). This equation has been shown to closely match data from psychophysical studies of the upper extremities. In the current paper, the applicability of this equation was tested on lifting and lowering data from Snook and Ciriello (1991) and was found to fit closely, even at very low duty cycles.
Keywords: psychophysics, strength, maximum acceptable effort, ergonomic limits
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0189-397
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 397-400, 2012
Abstract: Aonla is an important Indian fruit crop with great potential for processing into various quality products. Aonla preserve making is an important economic activity in our country. The pricking methods are age old, hence a hand operated aonla pricking machine was introduced in preserve making industries to speed up the pricking task. OWAS and RULA two of the most commonly used ergonomic assessment tools were evaluated for their efficacy in the assessment pricking along with Rating of perceived exertion scale. Analysis of working posture using RULA revealed that the pricking task with existing methods i.e. fork and hand tool requires…immediate investigation and changes in working posture while with machine pricking investigations and changes are required soon. The results of OWAS indicated that the posture maintained while pricking with existing methods need to be changed in future planning while with machine was acceptable. The subjective assessment revealed that machine pricking was less exerting activity as compared to the existing methods. The preserve prepared from machine pricked fruit was most acceptable among consumers. Hence, in the form of machine ergonomic intervention was brought about in preservation industries which have proved beneficial for workers in terms of their safety and productivity.
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Abstract: The use of boiler wood-fired is fairly common equipment utilized in steam generation for energy production in small industries. The boiler activities are considered dangerous and heavy, mainly due to risks of explosions and the lack of mechanization of the process. This study assessed the burden of physical labor that operators of boilers are subjected during the workday. Assessment of these conditions was carried out through quantitative and qualitative measurements. A heart rate monitor, a wet-bulb globe thermometer (WBGT), a tape-measure and a digital infrared camera were the instruments used to collect the quantitative data. The Nordic Questionnaire and the…Painful Areas Diagram were used to relate the health problems of the boiler operator with activity. With study, was concluded that the boiler activity may cause pains in the body of intensity different, muscle fatigue and diseases due to excessive weight and the exposure to heat. The research contributed to improve the boiler operator’s workplace and working conditions.
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Abstract: The current article aims to analyse the activity and the repercussions in the health of the artisan fishermen who use rafts in the urban Beach of Ponta Negra in Natal – RN, with emphasis on the physical demands at the step of hauling the nets from the ocean. It has been taken as a reference the methodology of Work Ergonomic Analysis-WEA. 21 fishermen participated in the study (50% of the population). It was used applying observational techniques and methodologies (open and sistematic observations and simulations) interactional ( social and economic questionnaire, conversational actions, verbalizations, self confrontations and collective analysis) and…health assessment (static postural assessment, movement flexibility of flexo extension of the shoulder and the ischiotibial muscle, lumbar region and hang grip. Applying the diagram of painful areas and the Nordic Questionnaire of mucleskeletal symptoms). The results were submeted to restitutions and validations with the raftmen. The hauling of the nets represents a high muscleskeletal risk, joining physical effort, adopting forced postures with the rotation of the spine and movement repetition, mainly flexo extension of vertebral spine, aggravated by the demand of strength fo the stabilizing muscles of the human body to keep the poise. The impacts of the activity of the fisherman of Ponta Negra, related to postures and strength demand were observed in the postural assessment and are related to the activity.
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Keywords: ergonomics, artisanal fishery, rafts, physical demands, health assessment
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0191-414
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 414-421, 2012
Abstract: This paper describes the findings associated with the ability of an individual to perform the United States Army’s Common Soldier Tasks of: “Maintaining an M16-Series Rifle” , “Protect Yourself from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Injury or Contamination with Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Gear”, and “Protect Yourself from Chemical and Biological (CB) Contamination Using Your Assigned Protective Mask.” The analysis was conducted using data compiled from videos of a Soldier performing the given tasks at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The findings reflect the opinions of researchers in identifying potential elements, which impose abnormal, irregular, and/or extraneous effort when…performing the tasks as outlined in STP-21-1-SMCT – Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks: Skill Level I.
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Abstract: The study was performed in a sample of 39 firemen. The state of health for each fire fighter was evaluated by means of a clinical examination and also through some specific exams. Aerobic capacity was estimated as an indicator of physical fitness. In each load, cardiac frequency and oxygen consumption were measured under a steady state condition. Additionally, body composition was calculated using a Tanita professional scale. Physical effort at work was determined by measuring cardiac frequency using a telemetric unit. Evaluations were carried out during night shifts, registering information under the following conditions: night shifts without emergency, fire simulation,…training exercises and real fire fighting. In general terms, it is possible to state that fire fighters are healthy according to the result of the clinical examination. However, it is very important to highlight that 70% of the firemen consume alcohol and 80% were smokers. The average aerobic capacity of the sample was 2.6 l/min or 34.5 ml/kg/min. In terms of overweight and obesity, the body mass index was 25.7, whereas the percentage fat mass reached an average of 22.9 %. The cardiovascular load in the night shifts without emergencies did not surpass 40%, which in Chile is considered the highest limit for sustained work. However, during training, simulations and real fires, the firemen had higher cardiac frequencies, reaching peak levels close to 100% cardiovascular load
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Keywords: aerobic capacity, fire fighters, cardiovascular load
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0193-432
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 432-436, 2012
Abstract: The sustainable development is a challenge to all areas of knowledge. In the field of design, it motivates an enhanced discussion about the functions of systems, products and services. Accordingly, this paper presents a theoretical contribution to the sustainable articulation of the functions of industrial products from principles of cognitive ergonomics. This paper is based on an exploratory literature about the functions of industrial products and further study of the relationship between man and object of Cognitive Ergonomics, specifically linked the aesthetic perception and symbolic. Presents qualitative results of this correlation, which indicates the feasibility of a better articulation in…product development. The paper argues that in the practical field of design, the best articulation of the functions may influence the effectiveness of product performance in its relationship with the user. Already, on theoretical grounds, this new articulation can help designers to understand the nature of the transdisciplinary functions and the insights into product design.
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Abstract: This paper explores the extent of the physiological stresses of female workers at kitchen workstation while performing the various activities. For this a survey of eighty homemakers and experiment on sixteen respondents having similar physical and physiological parameters was done. Five activities in which the respondents faced maximum problems were selected and were standardized. Physiological stresses including cardiovascular, muscular, and energy expenditure during these activities were then assessed. Study revealed that fatigue during the selected five activities i.e. cutting, grating, rolling, kneading, dish washing, was felt mainly at the wrist, fore arm, followed by discomfort in the shoulders, upper arm,…lower back and neck. Energy expenditure for these activities ranged from 7.0 to10 kJ\min, total cardiac cost of work (TCCW) was between 200.81 to 364.30 beats, physiological cost of work (PCW) was 12.82 to 26.26 beats\min; maximum for grating and minimum for rolling. The percent increase in heart rate was maximum for grating 38.56 and minimum for rolling 16.20. Reduction in grip and pinch strength of right hand was found more as compared to the left hand.
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Keywords: Ergonomics, Physiological stress, Cooking activities, Energy expenditure, Workstation
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0194-441
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 441-446, 2012
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between self-reported pain, muscular activity and postural load during cleaning tasks. Eighteen cleaners performed usual cleaning tasks in both a laboratory and a lecture room. The level of perceived pain in the neck-shoulder region during the last 7 days was recorded. Bipolar surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded bilaterally from upper trapezius and erector spinae muscles during cleaning. Root mean square (RMS) and permutation entropy (PE) values representing amplitude and complexity of SEMG time-series were estimated. A tri-axial accelerometer package was mounted on the low back (L5-S1) to measure postural…changes during cleaning tasks. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the angular distributions were computed to characterize postures and movements. Pain tended to play a significant role on RMS of left/right trapezius and left erector spinae muscles (P≤0.08). Cleaners with low pain level exhibited higher muscular activity during cleaning. Pain played or tended to play a significant role on PE of left and right erector spinae muscles (P≤0.08). Pain played a significant role on the 10th , 50th and 90th percentile (P<0.05) of lateral flexion angle (side bending). The present study emphasizes biomechanical adaptations occurring in presence of neck-shoulder pain during cleaning tasks.
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Keywords: complexity, electromyography, inclinometry, motor adaptations
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0195-447
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 447-452, 2012
Abstract: Considering the importance of posture to the workers’ health in the production of charcoal, this paper presents an ergonomic research based on a biomechanical focus that aims to evaluate the posture adopted by these workers on the production of charcoal in vertical metallic cylinders. Thus, it was verified the incidence of pain and/or musculoskeletal injuries to these workers. Also, it was evaluated the weight carried by them and the positions taken in their daily tasks. Applying the Ergonomic Analysis of Labor, the data collection was done by directly observing the workers, registering images, by interviews, and posture analysis based on…the OWAS method. The main results of the research show that there are postures with risks in the four levels of musculoskeletal injuries classified by OWAS, concluding that the method is imperative for ergonomic recommendations for minimization or eradication of suffering injury and worker’s postural constraints.
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Abstract: The increased generation of garbage has become a problem in large cities, with greater demand for collection services. The collector is subjected to high workload. This study describes the work in garbage collection service, highlighting the requirements of time, resulting in physical and psychosocial demands to collectors. Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA) - a method focused on the study of work in real situations was used. Initially, technical visits, global observations and unstructured interviews with different subjects of a garbage collection company were conducted. The following step of the systematic observations was accompanied by interviews conducted during the execution of tasks,…inquiring about the actions taken, and also interviews about the actions, but conducted after the development of the tasks, photographic records and audiovisual recordings, of workers from two garbage collection teams. Contradictions between the prescribed work and activities (actual work) were identified, as well as the variability present in this process, and strategies adopted by these workers to regulate the workload. It was concluded that the insufficiency of means and the organizational structure of management ensue a situation where the collection process is maintained at the expense of hyper-requesting these workers, both physically and psychosocially.
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Abstract: The Brazilians educational institutions need a large energy demand for the operation of laundries, restaurants and accommodation of students. Much of that energy comes from steam generated in boilers with wood fuel. The laboral activity in boiler may present problems for the operator’s health due to exposure to excessive heat, and its operation has a high degree of risk. This paper describes an analysis made the conditions of thermal environment in the operation of a B category boiler, located at a Higher Education Institution, located in the Zona da Mata Mineira The equipments used to collect data were Meter WBGT…of the Heat Index; Meter of Wet Bulb Index and Globe Thermometer (WBGT); Politeste Instruments, an anemometer and an Infrared Thermometer. By the application of questionnaires, the second phase consisted of collecting data on environmental factors (temperature natural environment, globe temperature, relative humidity and air velocity). The study concluded that during the period evaluated, the activity had thermal overload.
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Abstract: Many authors studied work situations and, mainly, ergonomics projects concerning the financial benefit point of view. At the same time seems to be little information available concerning these financial benefits in manufacturing companies’ processes. The aim of this article is to identify if there enough information available within a company to quantify the financial benefits of an ergonomic project. The study was applied on two manufacturing companies, one in Brazil and other in Portugal. A literature review based checklist and a manager interview was applied on each company in order to identify if the information was available and how were…been used. The two companies have revealed a good quantity of available information regarding ergonomics benefit calculation. The interviews showed that managers are not aware of the financial savings possibility with investments in ergonomics projects.
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Keywords: ergonomics, project, financial benefits, information
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0199-476
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 476-483, 2012
Abstract: The effectiveness of ergonomics application is achieved in the course of this research by reviewing ergonomics literature, internet searches and case studies of a number of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD’s) and other ergonomic related workplace incidence rate. The results of ergonomic intervention control measures such as engineering controls, administrative controls and personnel protective equipment were also studied. The findings in this paper may help to development model for analysing and solving ergonomic problems in the workplace. It concludes on the need for management to support ergonomics intervention programme for effective cost saving, litigation avoidance and better productivity.
Keywords: Risk Factors, Intervention, Management Review and Control Measure
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0200-484
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 484-486, 2012
Abstract: In Human Factors and Ergonomics Science (HFES), it is difficult to identify what is the best approach to tackle the workplace and systems design problems which needs to be solved, and it has been also advocated as transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary the issue of “How to solve the human factors and ergonomics problems that are identified?”. The proposition on this study is to combine the theoretical approach for Sustainability Science, the Taxonomy of the Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) discipline and the framework for Evidence-Based Medicine in an attempt to be applied in Human Factors and Ergonomics. Applications of ontologies are…known in the field of medical research and computer science. By scrutinizing the key requirements for the HFES structuring of knowledge, it was designed a reference model, First, it was identified the important requirements for HFES Concept structuring, as regarded by Meister. Second, it was developed an evidence-based ergonomics framework as a reference model composed of six levels based on these requirements. Third, it was devised a mapping tool using linguistic resources to translate human work, systems environment and the complexities inherent to their hierarchical relationships to support future development at Level 2 of the reference model and for meeting the two major challenges for HFES, namely, identifying what problems should be addressed in HFE as an Autonomous Science itself and proposing solutions by integrating concepts and methods applied in HFES for those problems.
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Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present an ergonomic evaluation of a situation of co-exposure to solvents and noise in a flexible packaging printer. We discuss how such an approach carried out in the field of printing industry work has made it possible to highlight serious shortcomings in the effectiveness of the prevention actions that are supposed to protect workers from chemicals risks and noise. The ergonomic analysis identified a strain working conditions. Indeed, some jobs expose to noise and toxic risk. Lamination operations, winding and cutting are purveyors of noise. Some physical and spatial factors contribute to amplify…the toxic risk. The not wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the operators maybe explained by the fact that it doesn’t any possibility to do “otherwise”. Indeed, operators adopt a compromise to achieve the objectives of production to the detriment of their health and safety. These constraints are causing gene and psychosocial factors. The interviews revealed a state of psychosis in the workshop, which was accentuated by the reclassification of an operator which has created a climate of panic and anxiety especially for older operators who have more than 20 years exposed to handling of toxic and more exposure to high noise level.
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Abstract: Infrared imaging has been used to visualize superficial temperatures in industrial employers standing and working in an indoor environment at 22°C. Temperature distributions and changes have been recorded digitally and analyzed. Mean skin temperatures determined by this method have been compared with superficial temperatures obtained with a probe thermocouple. During working hours, surface temperatures were higher over extensor muscles than over other structures and their spatial distributions differed dramatically from those observed before working hours. The authors also analyzed the cold water immersion of the hands during work. This paper showed that working generates different thermal effects on human skin…that reflect physiological and pathological occupational conditions and can be monitored by infrared imaging.
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Abstract: The Authors make a detailed analysis of the introduction of the OCRA Methodology in Brazil that started in August 2008 with the launching of the “OCRA Book” translated to Portuguese. They evaluate the importance of the assessment of the exposure of the upper limbs to the risk due to repetitive movements and efforts, according to the national and international legislation, demonstrating the interconnection of the OCRA Methodology with the Regulating Norms of the Ministry of Labor and Work (NRs – MTE), especially with the NR-17 and its Application Manual. They discuss the new paradigms of the OCRA Method in relation…to the classic paradigms of the ergonomic knowledge. They indicate the OCRA Method as the tool to be used for the confirmation or not of the New Previdentiary Epidemiologic Nexus NTEP/FAP. The Authors present their conclusions based on the practical results the “participants certified by the OCRA Methodology” achieved in the application on different laboral activities in diverse economic segments, showing the risk reduction and the productivity of the companies.
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Keywords: ergonomics, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, risk assessment x repetitive movements
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0204-510
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 510-511, 2012
Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are common in computer professionals worldwide. Studies have shown that there is an association between the working posture and the development of musculoskeletal disorders. The IT professionals are exposed to different awkward posture while working. Therefore, it is expected that workers may develop different kinds of musculoskeletal discomfort/pain. This study aimed at to find out the relationship between the musculoskeletal discomfort and the postural score. RULA was used for postural analysis. Results of the postural analysis revealed that 30% of the participant’s posture need to “modify soon” and 15% need to modify “immediately”. 78% of the…participants were using computer for more than 8 hours in a day. The major workstation risk factors were reported as improper keyboard height and mouse tray height (32%), improper monitor height (27%) and improper chair height (12%). Results also revealed a significant association between the regional body pain and the RULA score. Musculoskeletal pain was significantly associated with workstation keyboard/mouse surface (r=0.55) and duration of computer use (r=0.64). Intervention programme was recommended for the participant to modify the workstation and the working posture.
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Keywords: workstation Information, RULA, pain
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0205-512
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 512-515, 2012
Abstract: Goal - remote online ergonomic assessment in the office environment as compared to face-to-face ergonomic assessment and examination of the applicability of remote online ergonomic assessment to office workers. 40 employees from a large Israeli hi-tech company were ergonomically assessed per the University of California computer usage checklist, according to the two assessment types (face-to-face and remote). An additional Ergonomist “assessor 2” examined the credibility of the process. Results: Research hypothesis 1 was verified: 21 out of 22 questions (95.45%) from the checklist indicated compatibility between “assessor 1” to the “Gold Standard” at an 80% level. Research hypothesis 2: examining…the credibility between the assessors with regard to remote assessment. This hypothesis was partially verified, the correlation between the assessors was measured at 0.54. Research hypothesis 3: examining the extent of deviation of natural posture between distal body parts assessment (distant from the center of the body) and proximal body parts (close to the center of the body). This hypothesis was clearly verified. It has been proven that there is statistical significance between the results. Conclusions: The current research has proved that there is an additional method to assess musculoskeletal disorders risk factors remotely online at office environment.
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Keywords: work related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD), ergonomics postural assessment, remote assessment, online assessment, office ergonomics assessments
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0206-516
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 516-523, 2012
Abstract: The measurement of performance is a current topic in the management of people in companies, used as a parameter of effectiveness of processes and operations of production. The methods and models of the indicators of current use in the production have concentrated in the assessment of people's performance as determinative resource of the organizational success in the search for the competitiveness. Associated with the classic indicators of performance assessment of the production proceeding, other indicators are used in the assessment of risks and hazards, however with methods focused in the tasks, without connection with the real work activity. The present…article explores literature on the models of performance measurement in use in companies and a field research to understand how companies interpret and use indicators that relate health and work, to direct future studies on the subject. Regarding the literature review, one can see that health indicators can be basically divided into two major groups: the legal and managerial indicators. When conducting case studies, it can be realized that companies do not have precisely the concept of health indicator, or were unable to define which of the indicators could be considered indicators of health, considering that absenteeism was the indicator mentioned by the four companies.
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Keywords: ergonomics, ambulatory complaints, absenteeism, frequency accidents
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0207-524
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 524-531, 2012
Abstract: This article presents information about the development of the dissertation. Deals with the production of ergonomic diagnosis in the environments and work processes of an important center of research and development in Public Health, Fiocruz. Critically evaluates the performance of a team promoting and facilitating the process of implementing ergonomic changes suggested. Through analysis of documents and statements by some managers and representatives of Human Resources was possible to identify the factors that facilitate and hinder the implementation process, linking them to the organization of the institution and conduct of the agents involved. Finally, it makes a reflection on practice,…results and developments involved in the processes of change initiated by the ergonomic actions, proposing its replication along with other institutes of the Civilian Personnel of Federal Public Administration.
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Keywords: Ergonomic actions, process implementation, SIASS
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0208-532
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 532-538, 2012
Abstract: This paper presents our reflections on the issue of behavioral change according to energy conservation constraints and on the status of sustainability in the design of ambient interactive systems at home. We point out how ergonomics contributes to the study of human factors underlying energy consumption. Relating to situated cognition and human computer interaction, our approach relies both on the ergonomic evaluation of feedback consumption displays and on the modeling of domestic activities in order to identify household concerns in real settings. We present empirical results to illustrate this global approach. The results of those studies allow the design of…interactive systems: informative and pedagogical systems as well as pervasive and adaptive ambient systems. In our approach, sustainability is taken into account as a design criterion, as security could be, whereas the main design purpose is to aid households in their daily life in order to build a “sustainable situation”.
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Keywords: Models of human activity, sustainable situation, HCI, consumption feedback, sustainability, electricity consumption behavior, situated cognition
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0662-539
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 539-548, 2012
Abstract: With the advent of the deep economic crisis in Argentina on 2001, the recovery of companies through to the creation of the Cooperatives Working Self-Management or Factories Recovered by its workers was constituted as one of the ways in which the salaried disobeyed the increasing unemployment. When the companies turn into recovered factories they tend to leave of side practices that have been seen like imposed by the previous organization and not understanding them as a primary condition for the execution of his tasks. Safety and ergonomics are two disciplines that are no longer considered relevant to the daily work.…Therefore this investigation aims to revalue, undergo semantic to give back to a place in every organization analyzed. This research developed a self-diagnostic tool for working conditions, and the environment, present in the recovered factories.
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Keywords: recovered factories, self management, ergonomics, working conditions, self-diagnotics tools
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0209-549
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 549-551, 2012
Abstract: The development of ergonomics’ recommendations, guidelines and standards are attempts to promote the integration of ergonomics into industrial contexts. Such developments result from several sources and professionals and represent the effort that has been done to develop healthier and safer work environments. However, the availability of large amount of data and documents regarding ergonomics does not guarantee their applicability. The main goal of this paper is to use a specific case to demonstrate how ergonomics criteria were developed in order to contribute to the design of workplaces. Based on the obtained results from research undertaken in a tire company, it…was observed that the ergonomics criteria should be presented as design specifications in order to be used by engineers and designers. In conclusion, it is observed that the multiple constraint environment impeded the appliance of the ergonomics criteria. It was also observed that the knowledge on technical design and the acquaintance with ergonomic standards, the level of integration in the design team, and the ability to communicate with workers and other technical staff have paramount importance in integrating ergonomics criteria into the design process.
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Keywords: ergonomics criteria, design process, design specifications, tire company
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0210-552
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 552-559, 2012
Abstract: As demanded at Collective Employment Agreement (CEA), three Ergonomic assessment of work (AEW) where made into an airport from a big Brazilian city (in particular, at the flight tower), with a 2 years interval between them. The objective was to produce a report pointing out problems and solutions. At the third time (2010), were verified that the work conditions where almost the same from 2006 and 2008, although all recommendations made in the reports. This work presents how the AET Team worked with this situation. At the third AEW, due the lack of real changes and the necessity of a…report, the strategy was to know how workers where dealing with the complains and constraint detected at the previous reports, and how it interfere in abnormal or danger situations. Trying to explain this organizational phenomenon, we resort to Resilience Engineering to understand how those f/actors played to achieve its objectives.
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Keywords: Ergonomics Assesment of Work, Resilience Engineering, Airport Management
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0211-560
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 560-567, 2012
Abstract: Malnutrition is a major problem for rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Technology such as the maize mill, which alleviates the burden of pounding grain, also introduces opportunities and new challenges for improved nutrition. While there have been many technical studies of grain mills, and maize mills are in operation in hundreds of locations throughout Sub- Saharan Africa, the maize mill has not been studied from a socio-technical system perspective. This paper reports on the first phase of a study grounded on the hypothesis that mills can improve nutrition by exploiting their function as a social gathering point and providing both…instruction and enjoyable healthful products. The objective was to identify those products that could be made available that customers at the mill would be willing to buy. Following observation of food availability, preparation, and consumption preferences within daily work routines, sample products were prepared and presented for cooking and consumption, along with some discussion at a district center mill owned by a local woman. The responses of customers and the mill owner were positive. Strategies for local manufacture and distribution of these products for sale and roles of the mill owner and the mothers are questions for future study.
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Abstract: Among the many fields of application of Ergonomics, this research deals with the services offered to Justice from the expertise recognized by the Law on prevention of occupational risks within the framework of the Law of Civil Procedure: Ergonomics forensic also called Legal Ergonomics. In Spain there are experiences since 1995 and an important development and this paper is to investigate the actions required for a more widespread use in trials. Consensus methods such as the Delphi survey technique are being employed to help enhance effective decision-making in the future development of Ergonomics Forensics. The Delphi survey is a group…facilitation technique, which is an iterative multistage process, designed to transform opinion into group consensus. It is a flexible approach, that is used commonly within the health and social sciences, however, there is little use and practice of ergonomics as a technique to facilitate the participation of all experts involved: judges, lawyers and expert ergonomists
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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.
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Keywords: promoting and disseminating ergonomics, knowledge and practice, research and training, ergonomic and work psychology, partnership
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0663-584
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 584-587, 2012
Abstract: During the last five years, several research review studies have revealed insufficient or even no proof that courses in manual material handling (MMH) are effective at preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). These revelations are placing the current daily practice of MMH trainers under scrutiny. This study analyses how the MMH courses are organised in practice. A web-based questionnaire was developed for trainers. Only trainers giving MMH courses on a regular basis were included. The questionnaire focussed on general characteristics of the courses, content issues and organisational aspects. The results clearly indicated that the MMH courses can only be considered as a…means of making employees aware of good manual handling. Not all content issues that should be addressed in effective MMH courses, are looked at in practice. This is mainly due to time restrictions that trainers experience, often imposed by the company. In conclusion, these organisational restrictions might explain the ineffectiveness of the MMH courses and should therefore be resolved.
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Keywords: manual material handling, training, techniques
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0214-588
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 588-591, 2012
Abstract: The present study was developed based on the analysis of workplaces in the engineering industry, particularly in automotive companies. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate the activities present in the workplace concerning manual handling, using assessment methodologies NIOSH Ergonomic Equation [1] and Manual Material Handling [2], present in ISO 11228 [3-4], and to consider the possibility of developing musculoskeletal injuries associated with these activities, an issue of great concern in all industrial sectors. Similarly, it was also shown the suitability of each method to the task concerned. The study was conducted in three steps. The first step…was to collect images and information about the target tasks. As a second step proceeded to the analysis, determining the method to use and to evaluate activities. Finally, we found the results obtained and acted on accordingly. With the study observed situations considered urgent action, according to the methodologies used, and proceeded to develop solutions in order to solve the problems identified, eliminating and / or minimizing embarrassing situations and harmful to employees.
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Abstract: The Brazilian commercial aviation industry has grown strongly in the last decades, increasing passenger capacity and operational safety. While several studies focus on flight safety and passenger comfort, few are dedicated to the manual transport of loads. Although apparently this sector has low relevance, every year nearly 9% of their workers are injured. It is estimated that these injuries cost more than 10 million dollars a year to the companies involved. This study assesses quantitatively the risk of injury on employees. NIOSH method was used to evaluated the possibility of injury in different tasks. Factors such as the pace of…activity, horizontal and vertical displacement, and asymmetries were evaluated during loading and unloading of luggage. This study showed that the frequency of repetitions of loading was excessive in all cases analyzed. However, the use of conveyors reduced the risk of employee injury, reducing this possibility to acceptable levels. The study shows that simple measures can help reduce the number of injuries and hence the cost that this entails.
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Keywords: manual transport of loads, operational cost, civil aviation
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0216-597
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 597-604, 2012
Abstract: The goal of this study was to use a pressure sensor to measure the force distribution and contact area of the hand when gripping, pushing, and pulling a cylinder. Data was collected from 10 subjects with no hand impairments and from 1 subject with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Subjects grasped an aluminum cylinder wrapped with a Tekscan pressure sensor and performed each trial at 25%, 50%, and 100% maximum voluntary exertion. A relationship was found between increasing exertion and increasing hand area with increasing hand contact area. The force distribution maps showed the thenar region of the hand exerts the most…force during pushing while the metacarpal joint line exerts the highest force during pulling. The third and fourth phalange were found to exert the highest phalange force during gripping. The force distribution maps from the RA subject showed higher thumb forces and distal phalange forces, relative to the entire phalange, compared to the non-impaired subjects. This suggests that the RA subject compensates for the lack of phalange function with the regions of the hand that still function. Future studies should sample individuals with a larger hand area range and sample more individuals with RA.
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Abstract: The first sentence of the Abstract should follow the word “Abstract.” on the same line. The abstract should be clear, descriptive, self-explanatory and no longer than 200 words. It should also be suitable for publication in abstracting services. Do not include references or formulae in the abstract.
Keywords: Human Activity Reference Database, Ergonomics, chemical laboratory
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0218-613
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 613-616, 2012
Abstract: Conducting field research facilitates understanding human daily activities. Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography (CCE) is a study methodology used to understand how people select actions in daily life by conducting ethnographical field research. CCE consists of measuring monitors’ daily activities in a specified field and in-depth interviews using the recorded videos afterward. However, privacy issues may arise when conducting standard CCE with video recordings in a daily field. To resolve these issues, we developed a new study methodology, CCE Lite. To replace video recordings, we created pseudo-first-personview (PFPV) movies using a computer-graphic technique. The PFPV movies were used to remind the monitors of…their activities. These movies replicated monitors’ activities (e.g., locomotion and change in physical direction), with no human images and voices. We applied CCE Lite in a case study that involved female employees of hotels at a spa resort. In-depth interviews while showing the PFPV movies determined service schema of the employees (i.e., hospitality). Results indicated that using PFPV movies helped the employees to remember and reconstruct the situation of recorded activities.
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Abstract: The recent development of the Colombian legislation, have been identified the need to develop protective clothing to work according to specifications from the work done and in compliance with international standards. These involve the development and design of new strategies and measures for work clothing design. In this study we analyzes the activities of the workers in the electrical sector, the method analyzes the risks activity data in various activities, that activities include power generation plants, local facilities, industrial facilities and maintenance of urban and rural networks. The analyses method is focused on ergonomic approach, risk analysis is done, we…evaluate the role of security expert and we use a design algorithm developed for this purpose. The result of this study is the identification of constraints and variables that contribute to the development of a model of analysis that leads to the development the work protective clothes.
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Keywords: Activity analysis, Design, Ergonomics, Usability, User experience
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1008-623
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 623-627, 2012
Abstract: The present article seeks the process of construction of ergonomics demand referring to the artisan fishing activityfound in Ponta Negra beach located in the city of Natal, Brazil. The instruction/construction of demands correspond to the first stage of Work Ergonomic Analysis and allows the understanding of real issues existent in a work situation, rank them and route the providences. The demand presented on this study, features itself as a induced demand, process which some potential demands or hypothetical demands are taken to an organization, after a preview analysis of the work aimed by the study, resulting from a theoretical research…(state of the art) and/or from analysis of a reference situation (state of practice), where demands hypothesis are taken in consideration about the pretended work. The demands construction process using interactional methods and techniques, observation methods and techniques and bibliographic research, researches in state of reference or document. This article demonstrates the efficiency of the methodological choice to construct real ergonomic demands and highlights the importance of social construction on that process, which main goal is to refer the ergonomic actions that allow the improvement of work and life conditions for the fishers and sustainability to Jangadeira activity.
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Keywords: demand construction, social construction, ergonomics, artisanal fishery, rafts
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0220-628
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 628-635, 2012
Abstract: The Ergonomic tridimensional Analysis (ETdA) was developed to be used as an auxiliary tool on the ergonomic intervention. It was specially designed for commercial areas with free circulation of people. Due to that, the client, the third ETdA dimension, becomes an important element and their opinions relevant in the ergonomic analysis. The remains two ETdA dimensions, professionals and analyst, play an identical role as in the traditional occupational ergonomic analysis. For each of these dimensions, specific observation tools were assembled: an ETdA questionnaire, an evaluation form and a checklist for direct and indirect observations. The variables that allow the ETdA…operability are identified as Ergonomic Factors (EFs). A case study is presented identifying, for each dimension, the critical EFs. This will allow the design of the weighting table, where the influence of each dimensions results is measured, stressing the important role of clients on ergonomic issues.
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Abstract: This paper reports on an exercise conducted within a state-owned body (Crown Research Institute) in New Zealand aimed at building greater understanding of the key factors in successful research programmes. Success was defined in this study as a high level of uptake of the emerging science, with commensurate benefits to both industry and the community. The methodology had three parts. A review of the knowledge and technology transfer literature; a series of 15 semi-structured interviews with science leaders; and a facilitated workshop. The purpose of the review was to generate a robust framework upon which to centre the interview dialogues,…and two models were selected. The results varied, reflecting the diversity of research services provided by the organization, but the findings were predominantly new and valuable. The importance of the long term relationship with the end users was the strongest recurring theme. The methodology may have wider application in both research and consulting settings; for the benefits derived from the interactive process with staff, as well as for the specific findings.
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DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1009-642
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 642-647, 2012
Abstract: This paper aims to present the significance of methods used by the Ergonomic Analysis of Work for the construction of the scenario of craft fishing with rafts, held by 42 fishermen on the beach of Ponta Negra, Natal - RN; and relate the knowledge in ergonomics to environmental aspects / impacts, aiming the sustainability in this activity. This research is characterized as a case study, of the descriptive and exploratory type and of applied nature. To collect data, we used observational methods, in order to expand information about the activity, and interaction, as conversational action and photographic/videos records to clarify…points not covered by observation. It was observed problematic as the reduction of fishing productivity, alterations of the sea, difficulty in docking the rafts, and inadequate waste disposal, noting that this activity needs care regarding the use of the environment. The obtained results contributed to the organization of environmental education workshops, seeking to enhance good individual / collective environmental practices focused on the sustainability of the environment in which they live. Add the need for proposals aimed for managing the activity, involving fishermen, institutions and society, to ensure the improvement of the environment, hence the quality of life of the population.
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Abstract: In this study was observed the maintenance task of submersible pumps septic tanks installed in industrial bathrooms. This maintenance activity operators are exposed to various biological and ergonomic risks. This type of activity requires its great physical performers who are also subject to contact with human waste in the form of liquids, gases and solids. Besides the problems mentioned, are still exposed to high temperatures that can cause diseases such as hyperthermia or heatstroke. These aspects were observed using the ergonomic assessment methodology in order to suggest improvements that are reflected in productivity and employee satisfaction.
