Ergonomic Risk Factors in Ground Handling Operations to Improve Corporate Performance

Ground handling operations can be accepted as the heart of safe flight, beginning from the ground to the air. In ground handling activities where there is tight time pressure, human resources are of great importance in efficient and safe service. This study presents ergonomic risk factors affecting the operational and corporate performance of aircraft ground handling services. Ergonomic related performance fields are identified via expert opinion and a taxonomy focusing on classified error conditions for ground handling services. The taxonomy is developed to improve corporate performance while eliminating ergonomic risks and maintaining a safe working environment. Identified performance risks are intended to be a guide for operational managers in aircraft ground operations in the field of investments, decision making and safe operations.

A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH OF ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS IN DENTISTRY

This paper proposes a methodological framework for the research of ergonomic risk factors in dentistry, since this is a profession with very specific and complex ergonomic challenges. When analyzing ergonomic risk factors in dental practice, three separate entities should be taken into account: the dentist, as the central figure in the office; the dental office equipment, which includes all the instruments and devices, dental chair and dentist stool; and the dental office, including the workplace layout and the working conditions. Bearing in mind that it is impossible to eliminate the risk, systematic analysis of ergonomic risk factors enabled us to propose solutions for its reduction. Risk reduction improves dentists’ work ability and working conditions in the dental office and contributes to a more humane, i.e., more functional design of dental equipment.

A Proposed Method for Improving Ergonomic Risk in Maintenance Jobs

In today’s industrial setting, maintenance employees are expected to perform a wide variety of tasks. Maintenance functions change all the time and have a wide variety of physical requirements. Job descriptions and Physical Demands Analyses (PDAs) can describe and provide a general view of the physical nature of the job, but typically do not focus on the myriad of detailed physical job requirements required by maintenance employees. This paper describes a method to fill in the gaps of ergonomic risk factors that may not be detailed in the PDA and provide a job planning tool to anticipate and reduce MSD type risk factors in maintenance jobs or tasks.

Diagnóstico en base a la NOM-036-1-STPS-2018 para evaluación de riesgo ergonómico en puestos operativos

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo para identificar, analizar y controlar los factores de riesgo ergonómico bajo la NOM-036-1-STPS-2018 en puestos operativos a partir de tecnologías de inteligencia artificial. Los materiales y métodos utilizados están con base los requerimientos técnicos aplicados mediante evaluación técnica a partir de un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal con procesamiento de datos en una arquitectura tecnológica basada en un modelo de estimación de pose humana que utiliza la Tecnología Tensorflow por medio de una red neuronal artificial convolucional para determinar los índices en posturas ergonómicas con riesgo significativo y posturas sanas para los puestos involucrados en el diagnóstico. AbstractThe objective of this research is the identification, analysis, and control of ergonomic risk factors in operational positions under NOM-036-1-STPS-2018 obtained by means of artificial intelligence technologies. The materials and methods used are based on the technological requirements applied, by means of a technical evaluation on basis of an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with data processing, in a technological architecture based on an estimative model of human posture using TensorFlow technology, through an artificial convolutional neuronal network to determine indexes of hazardous ergonomic posture with good posture for operational positions involved in this diagnosis.

Worker Injuries in Southern California’s Warehousing Industry: How to Better Protect Workers in This Burgeoning Industry?

Dangerous conditions and worker injuries in the rapidly growing warehousing industry have gained attention in recent years, with accounts typically drawing on worker reports and investigative journalism. We analyzed workers’ compensation injury claims and California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) citations in Southern California’s large warehousing sector. Claims increased from 2014 to 2018, with a majority of injuries caused by repetitive motion, lifting and other ergonomic risk factors. Cal/OSHA cited employers for violating standards to protect workers from unsafe vehicle operations, dangerous machinery and equipment, and falls; and for failing to implement injury prevention programs. These citations address the causes of some worker injuries; however, no Cal/OSHA citations were issued for violating the state’s Repetitive Motion Injuries prevention standard. Nor do enforcement activities address the underlying causes highlighted by workers—high production quotas and a relentless work pace—that characterize the industry. We discuss the value and limitations of our approach and the implications of our results.

INVESTIGATION OF RISK FACTORS PERCEPTION LEVELS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INSTITUTIONS FOR WORKERS IN THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

Workplaces are divided into three as very dangerous, dangerous and less dangerous according to the principle of the work done. When occupational accidents and diseases are mentioned, construction sites and mines are considered. However, although the probability of occupational accidents and diseases is low, most working areas throughout the country are offices. In the offices, there are obligations that the employer must fulfill according to the law numbered 6331. Employees in offices that accommodate employees from all levels of the public and private sector are likely to be exposed to risk factors. Office workers are most exposed to physical, psychosocial and ergonomic risk factors. The employer is likely to prevent work accidents and occupational diseases by providing a healthy and safe working environment for its employees. In this study, a questionnaire consisting of 28 questions was applied to examine the perception levels of physical, psychosocial and ergonomic risk factors for 246 office workers in public and private sector institutions in Samsun. The answers to the questionnaire questions were analyzed with the program "IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0" and the value of "Cronbach Alpha (α)" was found to be 0.667. The fact that α value is in the range of 0.6 <α <0.8 indicates that the study is reliable. As a result of the study, the majority of the participants are women, the 26-33 age group, undergraduate graduates and work in public institutions. We found that the level of perception of psychosocial risk factors depends on monthly income, the level of perception of ergonomic risk factors changes depending on the sector and weekly working period, and the level of perception of physical risk factors does not change depending on demographic data.

Ergonomic Risk Factors of Teleworking in Ecuador during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, guidelines for people’s confinement have been implemented to prevent the disease’s spread. As a result of this, companies have implemented teleworking as an emerging way to work from home using information technology. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ecuador, with a sample of 204 teleworkers in the city of Quito. The results show that the teleworkers rearranged their bedrooms to carry out their activities. The respondents in each age group stated they did not perceive more significant ailments than those experienced before beginning teleworking. The relationships between the variables were analyzed utilizing the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test, finding a relationship between neck ailments and age of p = 0.031 * and between arm/forearm ailments of p = 0.032 *. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the ergonomic situation of the teleworkers and provides us with information to mitigate the ergonomic risks to which they are exposed.