Assessments of Work Gloves in Terms of the Strengths of Hand Grip, One-Handed Carrying, and Leg Lifting

Gloves are used at workplaces to protect hands and fingers from potential hazards. Three types of work gloves were assessed in terms of the strength of grip, carrying, and lifting. Thirty adults (14 males and 16 females) joined as human participants. The strength data were measured under bare hand and three gloved conditions. The grip spans in the grip strength measurements included 45 mm, 55 mm, 65 mm, and 75 mm. The carrying strength was measured for both dominant and non-dominant hands under leg straight and semi-squat postural conditions. The lifting strength was measured at a semi-squat posture. The results showed that glove (p < 0.0001), grip span (p = 0.001), gender (p < 0.0001), and handedness (p < 0.0001) all affected grip strength significantly. Wearing the gloves tested in this study led to a decrease of grip strength up to 22.9%, on average, depending on gender, grip span, and hand tested. Wearing the cotton gloves led to a decrease of one-handed carrying strength ranged from 3.5% to 9.7% for female participants. All the participants took advantages in carrying strength when wearing the cut-resistant gloves. The leg lifting strength data indicated that the effects of the gloves were insignificant. The information of this study is beneficial for practitioners in the design of manual materials handling tasks concerning the use of work gloves.

Integrated Measurement System of Postural Angle and Electromyography Signal for Manual Materials Handling Assessment

Improper design of manual materials handling (MMH) tasks at workplace can cause musculoskeletal disorders such as muscle strain to industrial workers. To avoid these disorders, ergonomists and engineers require an integrated measurement system which allows them to study the interaction of body posture and muscle effort during performing MMH tasks. However, far too little attention has been paid to develop an integrated measurement system of body posture and muscle activity for assessing MMH tasks. The aim of this study was to develop and test a prototype of integrated system for measuring postural angles and electromyography (EMG) signals of a worker who doing MMH tasks. The Microsoft Visual Studio software, a 3D camera (Microsoft Kinect), Advancer Technologies muscle sensors and a microcontroller (NI DAQ USB-6000) were applied to develop the integrated postural angle and EMG signal measurement system. Additionally, a graphical user interface was created in the system to enable users to perform body posture and muscle effort assessment simultaneously. Based on the testing results, this study concluded that the patterns of EMG signals are depending on the postural angles which consistent with the findings of established works. Further study is required to enhance the validity, reliability and usability of the prototype so that it may facilitate ergonomists and engineers to assess work posture and muscle activity during MMH task.

Trunk Posture during Manual Materials Handling of Beer Kegs

Craft brewing is a rapidly growing industry in the U.S. Most craft breweries are small businesses with few resources for robotic or other mechanical-assisted equipment, requiring work to be performed manually by employees. Craft brewery workers frequently handle stainless steel half-barrel kegs, which weigh between 13.5 kg (29.7 lbs.) empty and 72.8 kg (161.5 lbs.) full. Moving kegs may be associated with low back pain and even injury. In the present study, researchers performed a quantitative assessment of trunk postures using an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based kinematic measurement system while workers lifted kegs at a craft brewery. Results of this field-based study indicated that during keg handling, craft brewery workers exhibited awkward and non-neutral trunk postures. Based on the results of the posture data, design recommendations were identified to reduce the hazardous exposure for musculoskeletal disorders among craft brewery workers.

SICKNESS ABSENCE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY- A CASE STUDY OF MYSURU CITY

Sickness absence means nonattendance by workers at work due to various reasons when the employer expects attendance. Objectives of the Study: The present study has attempted to discover the causes of the sickness absence among the worker in the building construction industry. Methods and Materials: The cross-sectional study has been conducted. The data collection was done through the Interview schedule. The data collected by the researcher has been computed in factors analysis. Results and Discussion: The first and second components have identified two factors. The other components have identified only one factor. Manual materials handling, psychological fatigue and dissatisfaction with work are identified under component. one. Static work postures are identified under component two. Therefore, Manual materials handling, Lack of Social supports and dissatisfaction with work are the major reasons for the sickness of absence in the building industry. Conclusion: Managing absenteeism can be a helpful measure in understanding the reasons for sickness absence in the workplace. Furthermore, the effective management of leaves reduces sick leave time and puts an end to stress-induced illness. The building construction industry focuses to improve occupational health and employ prevention methods in the working site.

Survey of One-handed Lifting in Manufacturing Industry: A Cross-sectional Study of the BackWorks Study Cohort

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem and a major cause of lost productivity in workplaces. Manual materials handling (MMH) jobs have traditionally been regarded as risk factor for LBP. Compared to two-handed lifting, one-handed lifting has received little attention in both epidemiological and biomechanical research. In addition, one frequent complaint of the revised NIOSH lifting equation (RNLE) has been the lack of capability to directly evaluate one-handed lifting. Modifications have been proposed by the European Union, however their efficacy and influence have not yet been evaluated. This cross-sectional study provided objective survey of the MMH jobs, especially the one-handed lifting performed in manufacturing industry and investigated the outcomes of three proposed methods to address one-handed lifting using RNLE approach. Preliminary results suggest that workers with some one-handed lifting are associated with higher physical exposure. However, the increase was more significant among those who perform primarily one-handed lifting.

Reports from the field: current challenges is assessing risk from push pull tasks and gaps in the research base

In this session, we continue our discussion of push and pull manual materials handling tasks, especially issues related to the use of manual carts. We will describe some current issues in the evaluation of cart-handling tasks from aspects of both risk and performance, describe some practices currently employed to address these issues and will conclude with some thoughts about a program of research to enhance our understanding of how these tasks can be performed safely and efficiently.