An improved physical demand analysis framework based on ergonomic risk assessment tools for the manufacturing industry

Most of the operational tasks in the manufacturing process entail numerous physical involvements, despite the introduction of automated equipment. Due to this high physical demand in manufacturing, the need for proactive risk assessment to decrease potential injury cannot be ignored. Physical Demand Analysis (PDA) is a widely used tool recommended to all manufactures by the Canadian Workers’ Compensation Board to document the physical, cognitive, and environmental demands of essential tasks. However, limitations exist in utilizing the content generated in current PDA practice to conduct risk identification and risk assessment, and it has limited functionality for providing modified work to proactively mitigate risk. This paper summarizes the input requirements of risk assessment tools and proposes an improved PDA form with an integrated framework to facilitate the comprehensive and intelligent use of PDA. This paper focuses on three aspects of PDA implementation—risk identification, risk evaluation, and risk mitigation—targeting the development of modified work for the manufacturing industry. The framework is implemented in a window and door manufacturing facility, and a case study of a window glazing station is described in this paper in order to assess awkward body postures. Four main ergonomic risk assessments and identifications are recommended.     

用于工业控制仪表的计算机软件包DAQLOGGER

DAQLOGGER是为对应工控仪表的实时监视、数据采集、修改设定，而开发的计算机软件包。该软件以数据采集为重点，将数据采集过程和人机界面分离，在把数据采集过程的优先度设置为最高的同时，给每个和记录仪连接的通讯端口分配不同线程。其结果。可以对多台记录仪进行连接，最高可以达到在1秒内对384个通道的数据进行采集。另外，可以对应Ethernet、RS-232、RS-422-A／485的3种混合通讯方式，最多可以连接32台记录仪。     

Development of a Windows-based indoor air quality simulation software package

A Microsoft Windows-based indoor air quality (IAQ) simulation software package has been developed and has completed a small-scale beta test and quality assurance review. Tentatively named Simulation Tool Kit for Indoor Air Quality and Inhalation Exposure, or STKi for short, this package complements and supplements existing IAQ simulation packages and is designed mainly for advanced users. STKi Version 1 consists of a general-purpose simulation program and four stand-alone, special-purpose programs. The general-purpose program performs multi-zone, multi-pollutant simulations and allows gas-phase chemical reactions. With a large collection of models for sources, sinks, and air filters/cleaners, it can perform simulations for a wide range of indoor air pollution scenarios. The special-purpose programs implement fundamentally based models, which are often excluded from existing IAQ simulation programs despite their improved performance over statistical models. In addition to performing conventional IAQ simulation, which generates time–concentration profiles, STKi can estimate the adequate ventilation rate when certain air quality criteria are given, a unique feature useful for product stewardship and risk management. STKi will be developed in a cumulative manner. More special-purpose simulation programs will be added to the package. Key numerical methods used in STKi are discussed. Ways to convert the STKi programs into language-independent simulation modules that can be used by multi-pathway exposure models are also being explored.     

Digital vibration threshold testing and ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional assessment

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) comprise a large proportion of work-related illnesses in the USA. Physical risk factors including manual force and segmental vibration have been associated with UEMSDs. Reduced sensitivity to vibration in the fingertips (a function of nerve integrity) has been found in those exposed to segmental vibration, to hand force, and in office workers. The objective of this study was to determine whether an association exists between digital vibration thresholds (VTs) and exposure to ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing. Interviews and physical examinations were conducted in a cross-sectional survey of workers (n = 1174). In multivariable robust regression modelling, associations with workers' estimates of ergonomic stressors stratified on tool use were determined. VTs were separately associated with hand force, vibration as felt through the floor (whole body vibration), and with an index of multiple exposures in both tool users and non-tool users. Additional associations with contact stress and awkward upper extremity postures were found in tool users. Segmental vibration was not associated with VTs. Further epidemiologic and laboratory studies are needed to confirm the associations found. The association with self-reported whole body vibration exposure suggests a possible sympathetic nervous system effect, which remains to be explored.     

Digital vibration threshold testing and ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional assessment

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) comprise a large proportion of work-related illnesses in the USA. Physical risk factors including manual force and segmental vibration have been associated with UEMSDs. Reduced sensitivity to vibration in the fingertips (a function of nerve integrity) has been found in those exposed to segmental vibration, to hand force, and in office workers. The objective of this study was to determine whether an association exists between digital vibration thresholds (VTs) and exposure to ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing. Interviews and physical examinations were conducted in a cross-sectional survey of workers (n=1174). In multivariable robust regression modelling, associations with workers' estimates of ergonomic stressors stratified on tool use were determined. VTs were separately associated with hand force, vibration as felt through the floor (whole body vibration), and with an index of multiple exposures in both tool users and non-tool users. Additional associations with contact stress and awkward upper extremity postures were found in tool users. Segmental vibration was not associated with VTs. Further epidemiologic and laboratory studies are needed to confirm the associations found. The association with self-reported whole body vibration exposure suggests a possible sympathetic nervous system effect, which remains to be explored.     

An ergonomic approach to designing a manufacturing work system

This paper highlights the methodology that was applied systematically to incorporate ergonomics principles and data to design a manufacturing work system. The manufacturing task comprised of drilling four holes on a prepared steel plate. The components of the manufacturing work system included: manufacturing task, power-feed drill press, jig, fixture and other equipment, workplace layout, operator training and (hard) production standard and feedback. The ergonomically designed manufacturing work system proved to be effective and efficient in terms of manufacturing processing time, safety, training time, and worker productivity, satisfaction, and job attitudes.     

Design of a multifunctional communications software package

Data communications and computer networks have undergone phenomenal growth, resulting in the proliferation of hardware, software, and communications protocols. However, as needs change and new technologies are developed existing software frequently becomes incapable of handling the new configurations and therefore obsolete. The design and implementation of a new data communications software package, Commpac, designed to address these problems, is described. The package is modular and multifunctional, and supports the hierarchy of point-to-point communications protocols. In addition, it has been designed to adapt to system changes and to provide the software resources necessary for the development of new modules to cope with these changes.     

A method of activity-based software maintenance cost estimation for package software

The Journal of Supercomputing - This paper defines software maintenance activities and develops a model for maintenance cost estimation of package software. First, we classified software...     

An object-oriented system for ergonomic risk assessment

Abstract: During the last decade, cumulative trauma disorders have become a major concern both to occupational health and safety professionals and manufacturing industries. This paper will present the development of a knowledge-based system for predicting the potential of developing strain injuries among employees exposed to repetitive and forceful activities. This potential is identified through the use of an expert system incorporating a fuzzy set algorithm. Recommendations for the prevention of the resulting CTDs are then provided by the system. The system executes on a microcomputer platform, and was constructed utilising a commercial object-oriented expert system shell.     

Development of an ergonomics guideline for the furniture manufacturing industry

Industry-specific ergonomics guidelines are an important component in the four-pronged approach to workplace ergonomics currently pursued by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The American Furniture Manufacturers Association has taken the initiative of developing such a guideline for its members. The result of this effort is the "AFMA Voluntary Ergonomics Guideline for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry", a document that includes basic information about ergonomics program components as well as a compilation of work-proven, ergonomics best practices as submitted by members of the furniture manufacturing community. This guideline was developed through an industry-research-government partnership and made strategic use of the unique attributes that each sector brought to this effort. Outlined in this paper are some of the characteristics of this partnership including, the roles played by each, the different motivations for pursuing the guideline, the challenges faced during the development of the document, the successes experienced in this process, as well as a proposed outline for measuring the effectiveness of this effort. The hope is that this summary, and some of the lessons learned contained herein, would be helpful to others considering the prospect of developing such a guideline for their industry.     

MaZda--a software package for image texture analysis

MaZda, a software package for 2D and 3D image texture analysis is presented. It provides a complete path for quantitative analysis of image textures, including computation of texture features, procedures for feature selection and extraction, algorithms for data classification, various data visualization and image segmentation tools. Initially, MaZda was aimed at analysis of magnetic resonance image textures. However, it revealed its effectiveness in analysis of other types of textured images, including X-ray and camera images. The software was utilized by numerous researchers in diverse applications. It was proven to be an efficient and reliable tool for quantitative image analysis, even in more accurate and objective medical diagnosis. MaZda was also successfully used in food industry to assess food product quality. MaZda can be downloaded for public use from the Institute of Electronics, Technical University of Lodz webpage.     

Managing for flexible software manufacturing

Contrary to popular belief, the most difficult problem in software reuse is not technical; rather, it is establishing a manufacturing culture. To manufacture software systematically, managers must provide three supporting pillars: development processes, infrastructure and culture. The author discusses these three issues     

A software package for computer managed instruction

A software package is described which is used by six universities in the Netherlands for Computer Managed Instruction. Special attention is given to the structuring and implementation of courses and blocks in a course. The facilities provided for guiding students through a course and for evaluation will also be discussed.     

Can a manufacturing quality model work for software?

Six-sigma (i.e. 6 standard deviations) is a parameter that is used in statistical models of the quality of manufactured goods (including computer hardware). It also serves as a slogan that suggests high quality. Some attempts have been made in the past to apply 6-sigma to software quality measurement. Software engineers often look to hardware analogies to suggest techniques that are useful in building, maintaining or evaluating software systems. The author explains why the 6-sigma approach to hardware quality simply does not work when applied to software quality     

Work routinization and implications for ergonomic exposure assessment

Jobs in many modern settings, including manufacturing, service, agriculture and construction, are variable in their content and timing. This prompts the need for exposure assessment methods that do not assume regular work cycles. A scheme is presented for classifying levels of routinization to inform development of an appropriate exposure assessment strategy for a given occupational setting. Five levels of routinization have been defined based on the tasks of which the job is composed: 1) a single scheduled task with a regular work cycle; 2) multiple cyclical tasks; 3) a mix of cyclical and non-cyclical tasks; 4) one non-cyclical task; 5) multiple non-cyclical tasks. This classification, based primarily on job observation, is illustrated through data from a study of automobile manufacturing workers (n = 1200), from which self-assessed exposures to physical and psychosocial stressors were also obtained. In this cohort, decision latitude was greater with higher routinization level (p < 0.0001), and the least routinized jobs showed the lowest self-reported exposure to physical ergonomic stressors. The job analysis checklist developed for non-routinized jobs is presented, and limitations of the task analysis method utilized in the study are discussed. A work sampling approach to job analysis is recommended as the most efficient way to obtain a comparable unbiased exposure estimate across all routinization levels.