scholarly journals A Wearable Sensor System for Physical Ergonomics Interventions Using Haptic Feedback

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 6010
Author(s):  
Carl Mikael Lind ◽  
Jose Antonio Diaz-Olivares ◽  
Kaj Lindecrantz ◽  
Jörgen Eklund
Keyword(s):  
Haptic Feedback ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Feedback Training ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Physical Ergonomics ◽  
Manual Handling ◽  
Work Technique

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a major concern globally affecting societies, companies, and individuals. To address this, a new sensor-based system is presented: the Smart Workwear System, aimed at facilitating preventive measures by supporting risk assessments, work design, and work technique training. The system has a module-based platform that enables flexibility of sensor-type utilization, depending on the specific application. A module of the Smart Workwear System that utilizes haptic feedback for work technique training is further presented and evaluated in simulated mail sorting on sixteen novice participants for its potential to reduce adverse arm movements and postures in repetitive manual handling. Upper-arm postures were recorded, using an inertial measurement unit (IMU), perceived pain/discomfort with the Borg CR10-scale, and user experience with a semi-structured interview. This study shows that the use of haptic feedback for work technique training has the potential to significantly reduce the time in adverse upper-arm postures after short periods of training. The haptic feedback was experienced positive and usable by the participants and was effective in supporting learning of how to improve postures and movements. It is concluded that this type of sensorized system, using haptic feedback training, is promising for the future, especially when organizations are introducing newly employed staff, when teaching ergonomics to employees in physically demanding jobs, and when performing ergonomics interventions.

scholarly journals The Sensor-Based Biomechanical Risk Assessment at the Base of the Need for Revising of Standards for Human Ergonomics

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 5750
Author(s):  
Alberto Ranavolo ◽  
Arash Ajoudani ◽  
Andrea Cherubini ◽  
Matteo Bianchi ◽  
Lars Fritzsche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Manual Handling ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
Human Augmentation ◽  
Human Robot Collaboration

Due to the epochal changes introduced by “Industry 4.0”, it is getting harder to apply the varying approaches for biomechanical risk assessment of manual handling tasks used to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) considered within the International Standards for ergonomics. In fact, the innovative human–robot collaboration (HRC) systems are widening the number of work motor tasks that cannot be assessed. On the other hand, new sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment could be used for both quantitative “direct instrumental evaluations” and “rating of standard methods”, allowing certain improvements over traditional methods. In this light, this Letter aims at detecting the need for revising the standards for human ergonomics and biomechanical risk assessment by analyzing the WMDs prevalence and incidence; additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of traditional methods listed within the International Standards for manual handling activities and the next challenges needed for their revision are considered. As a representative example, the discussion is referred to the lifting of heavy loads where the revision should include the use of sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment during lifting performed with the use of exoskeletons, by more than one person (team lifting) and when the traditional methods cannot be applied. The wearability of sensing and feedback sensors in addition to human augmentation technologies allows for increasing workers’ awareness about possible risks and enhance the effectiveness and safety during the execution of in many manual handling activities.

General and passenger-relevant factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among Chinese female flight attendants

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 861-869
Author(s):  
Pei-Luen Patrick Rau ◽  
Liuxing Tsao ◽  
Lili Dong ◽  
Xueqian Liu ◽  
Liang Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Flight Attendants ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Biomechanical Factors

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been reported among flight attendants. Identifying the root causes of these disorders may improve the health conditions of flight attendants and further improve flight safety and service quality. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to identify WMSD risk factors for a specific population, namely Chinese female flight attendants. METHODS: A two-stage survey including an online questionnaire (46 flight attendants) and a semi-structured interview (16 flight attendants) was used to assess the WMSDs of Chinese female flight attendants. Text analysis tools in NVivo 11 were used to identify the main concerns and risk factors for WMSDs of Chinese flight attendants. RESULTS: In the online questionnaire, more than 86% of the participants reported discomfort in at least one body part. Biomechanical factors, work organizational factors, and psychosocial factors were reported by participants in this study. Chinese passengers were found to have an effect on WMSD development in Chinese flight attendants. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that WMSDs are severe problems among Chinese flight attendants. General factors as well as the passenger-relevant factor were identified as the most influential causes of WMSDs.

Dynamic modeling of an upper limb hybrid exoskeleton for simulations of load-lifting assistance

2021 ◽  
pp. 095440622110246
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahsan Gull ◽  
Thomas Bak ◽  
Shaoping Bai
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Human Forearm ◽  
Lifting Task ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Loaded Mechanism

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most commonly reported issue in Europe. Using robotic exoskeletons to support users in performing heavy industrial tasks can effectively mitigate the work-related MSDs. In this paper, a dynamic model of a hybrid exoskeleton is presented to analyze the assistive effect. The exoskeleton in this study is able to passively support the human shoulder joint and actively support the human forearm movements by providing different levels of assistive torque. With the model, two different tasks are simulated, i.e., an overhead lifting task and a static load transferring task. The results show that the assistive torque provided by the passive spring-loaded mechanism reduces the maximum human upper arm effort by 22.65%. Moreover, the exoskeleton elbow joint’s assistive torque reduces the peak torque of human forearm from [Formula: see text] Nm to [Formula: see text] Nm. All these results demonstrate the efficacy of the model developed in the simulation and analysis of human-exoskeleton systems.

scholarly journals Frequency and Force Effects on Psychophysical and Myoelectric Variables in Low-Intensity Pinching Tasks

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (22) ◽  
pp. 612-615
Author(s):  
Bart Visser ◽  
Jaap H. van Dieën ◽  
DirkJan (H.E.J.) Veeger ◽  
Michiel P. de Looze ◽  
Marjolein Douwes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
External Load ◽  
Prime Mover ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Manual Handling ◽  
External Forces ◽  
External Loads

Force and frequency in manual handling tasks are known risk factors for work related upper arm disorders. Three force levels and three frequencies are used to define the external load in a pinching task. The effects of these external loads on subjective and objective responses are studied. Subjective ratings poorly reflect the levels of external load. EMG variables P50 en P10 of the prime mover muscle seem useful variables in evaluating the effects of task frequency above a certain threshold in task frequency. P90 of the prime mover muscle is useful in evaluating the effects of external forces. It can be concluded that the P50 does not reflect the differences in force levels in tasks with low intensities.

Manual handling: the challenges of different care environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 358-363
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems ◽  
Manual Handling ◽  
Nursing Roles

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) continue to be a problem in the health and social care setting, despite staff receiving mandatory manual handling training for many decades. The author discusses WRMSDs, with a focus on various nursing roles. The principle of manual handling as solely ‘person moving’ or ‘transferring’ is challenged because a range of activities can cause musculoskeletal problems. The legislation and regulations are explored in relation to practice. The benefits of introducing a specific risk-assessment tool designed for nurses working in neonatal wards is discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document