Validity of the Acti4 software using ActiGraph GT3X+accelerometer for recording of arm and upper body inclination in simulated work tasks

The validity of inclinometer measurements by ActiGraph GT3X+ (AG) accelerometer, when analysed with the Acti4 customised software, was examined by comparison of inclinometer measurements with a reference system (TrakStar) in a protocol with standardised arm movements and simulated working tasks. The sensors were placed at the upper arm (distal to the deltoid insertion) and at the spine (level of T1-T2) on eight participants. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) values of inclination between the two systems were low for the slow- and medium-speed standardised arm movements and in simulated working tasks. Fast arm movements caused the inclination estimated by the AG to deviate from the reference measurements (RMSE values up to ～10°). Furthermore, it was found that AG positioned at the upper arm provided inclination data without bias compared to the reference system. These findings indicate that the AG provides valid estimates of arm and upper body inclination in working participants.     

A survey of tools and methods used by certified professional ergonomists

A survey of Certified Professional Ergonomists (CPEs) was conducted to gather information on the types of basic tools, direct and observational measurement techniques, and software used by practitioners. The motivation for the survey was to better understand what types of tools and methods practitioners use, their opinions of these tools, and to potentially gain an understanding of the constraints or preferences that influence this selection. Reasons for using or not using a selection of tools were also surveyed. Of 578 surveys that were delivered to CPEs and Associate Ergonomics Professionals, 308 were returned for a response rate of 53%. The respondents tended to be biased towards physical ergonomics, as the survey primarily focused on this area of ergonomics. A high percentage of respondents reported using tape measures, video cameras, stopwatches and digital cameras. The most commonly used observational methods were those involving manual materials handling, whereas the most commonly used direct measurement tools were pinch and grip dynamometers and push/pull gauges. The frequency and type of checklists, software, and anthropometric data used are summarized.     

Translating concepts of complexity to the field of ergonomics

Since 1958 more than 80 journal papers from the mainstream ergonomics literature have used either the words ‘complex’ or ‘complexity’ in their titles. Of those, more than 90% have been published in only the past 20 years. This observation communicates something interesting about the way in which contemporary ergonomics problems are being understood. The study of complexity itself derives from non-linear mathematics but many of its core concepts have found analogies in numerous non-mathematical domains. Set against this cross-disciplinary background, the current paper aims to provide a similar initial mapping to the field of ergonomics. In it, the ergonomics problem space, complexity metrics and powerful concepts such as emergence raise complexity to the status of an important contingency factor in achieving a match between ergonomics problems and ergonomics methods. The concept of relative predictive efficiency is used to illustrate how this match could be achieved in practice. What is clear overall is that a major source of, and solution to, complexity are the humans in systems. Understanding complexity on its own terms offers the potential to leverage disproportionate effects from ergonomics interventions and to tighten up the often loose usage of the term in the titles of ergonomics papers.

Statement of Relevance: This paper reviews and discusses concepts from the study of complexity and maps them to ergonomics problems and methods. It concludes that humans are a major source of and solution to complexity in systems and that complexity is a powerful contingency factor, which should be considered to ensure that ergonomics approaches match the true nature of ergonomics problems.     

Ergonomics in industrially developing countries: does its application differ from that in industrially advanced countries?

Demographic characteristics of industrially developing countries (IDCs) and some comparisons with industrially advanced countries (IACs), particularly those aspects relevant to ergonomics, are presented. The majority of IDC populations are engaged in subsistence agriculture (the “informal” sector) and consideration is given to the scope for ergonomics interventions, aimed primarily at raising productivity to alleviate the poverty suffered by rural families. Ergonomics issues prevalent in the “formal” sector are also discussed and the importance of finding simple, low-cost solutions through participatory approaches emphasised. The possible contributions of ergonomics to alleviating problems common to both sectors, such as transport, are also indicated and attention is drawn to the difficulties of applying formal standards. The improvement of living and working conditions from incorporating an ergonomics approach into the sustainable livelihoods model, by enhancing human capital, is described in the context of the other livelihood assets. This demonstrates the importance of the cultural dimension for the successful delivery of ergonomics benefits. The application of ergonomics differs between IDCs and IACs particularly through the limited infrastructure in IDCs to support ergonomics activity and interventions. This broaches the different contributions that can be made by ergonomics and occupational health practitioners and implies the need for closer collaboration between these professions.     

Nanomaterials in the field of design ergonomics: present status

Application of nanotechnology and nanomaterials is not new in the field of design, but a recent trend of extensive use of nanomaterials in product and/or workplace design is drawing attention of design researchers all over the world. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to describe the diverse use of nanomaterials in product and workplace design with special emphasis on ergonomics (occupational health and safety; thermo-regulation and work efficiency, cognitive interface design; maintenance of workplace, etc.) to popularise the new discipline ‘nanoergonomics’ among designers, design users and design researchers. Nanoergonomics for sustainable product and workplace design by minimising occupational health risks has been felt by the authors to be an emerging research area in coming years.

Practitioner Summary: Use of nanomaterials in the field of design ergonomics is less explored till date. In the present review, an attempt has been made to extend general awareness among ergonomists/designers about applications of nanomaterials/nanotechnology in the field of design ergonomics and about health implications of nanomaterials during their use.     

Ergonomics and safety in societies in transfer

In Central Europe, the influence of transformation on science and practice in both ergonomics and occupational safety has been positive. The opening of markets has automatically resulted in the quality of products of various countries being compared. The comparison of the state of science has been equally revealing. The spontaneous willingness of leading world centres to co-operate in both occupational safety and ergonomics has resulted in positive changes, e.g. intensive work on creating the instruments for: implementing ILO conventions and EU directives into national laws; implementing international and European standards into national standards; accrediting testing laboratories in the field of occupational safety and ergonomics; accrediting centres for product certification for the safety mark (obligatory) and for conformity with ergonomic parameters (voluntary); and computer-aided designing and creating databases in occupational safety and ergonomics conforming to international standards. These are the laws of the emerging common market for products and services. There is still a much more difficult area of necessary changes in the approach to: the value of life and health; the belief in the possibilities and the effectiveness of initiatives towards changing the working and life environment; and the form and content of the information in occupational safety and ergonomics taught from school to adult education. Transformation has led to a renaissance in which man has become the subject of all aspects of life and activity. There is also a renaissance of occupational safety and ergonomics. The fields of research that have gained importance in this new approach in Central Europe are discussed.     

Nonlinear dynamical systems for theory and research in ergonomics

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) theory offers new constructs, methods and explanations for phenomena that have in turn produced new paradigms of thinking within several disciplines of the behavioural sciences. This article explores the recent developments of NDS as a paradigm in ergonomics. The exposition includes its basic axioms, the primary constructs from elementary dynamics and so-called complexity theory, an overview of its methods, and growing areas of application within ergonomics. The applications considered here include: psychophysics, iconic displays, control theory, cognitive workload and fatigue, occupational accidents, resilience of systems, team coordination and synchronisation in systems. Although these applications make use of different subsets of NDS constructs, several of them share the general principles of the complex adaptive system.

Practitioner Summary: Nonlinear dynamical systems theory reframes problems in ergonomics that involve complex systems as they change over time. The leading applications to date include psychophysics, control theory, cognitive workload and fatigue, biomechanics, occupational accidents, resilience of systems, team coordination and synchronisation of system components.     

The Cochran–Weiss–Shanteau performance index as an indicator of upper limb risk assessment expertise

Ergonomists and many other professionals apply ergonomics principles to musculoskeletal health problems. This study examines whether there are differences when it comes to judgement expertise concerning upper limb disorders (ULDs) between ergonomists and those with less ergonomics training. The Cochran–Weiss–Shanteau (CWS) performance index combines judgement consistency with discrimination into one CWS index. Fifty-eight professionals working in the musculoskeletal health area, from four different professions, judged the likelihood of staff complaining of ULDs in a number of written work scenarios containing ULD risk factors. A student group (n = 148) taking an introductory ergonomics module was used as a reference. The ergonomists scored higher on the CWS index than all of the other groups, performing significantly better than all but the occupational health advisors. Performance improved with increased training level but not with experience. This study suggests that ergonomists are quantifiably different from other ergonomics advisors in their judgement performance in this context. Given the global cost of musculoskeletal disorders, assessing the expertise of those giving ergonomics advice for the management of musculoskeletal health is of great significance. This study presents a method for assessing judgement performance in ULD risk assessment, an important part of musculoskeletal health management.     

Future directions and research issues for ergonomics and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT)

In recent years, great progress has been made in the development of computer-based technologies that support the manufacturing industries. Those concerned with advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) are becoming increasingly aware of the fundamental importance of human organisational issues for the successful development, implementation, operation and maintenance of AMT. The discipline of industrial ergonomics and occupational occupational psychology, therefore, have a significant contribution to make in this field. This paper introduces the special issue, Ergonomics Matters in AMT, and presents a discussion of some of the future directions of AMT and the likely implications for ergonomics research.     

Development of ergonomics audits for bagging,haul truck and maintenance and repair operations in mining

Abstract

The development and testing of ergonomics and safety audits for small and bulk bag filling, haul truck and maintenance and repair operations in coal preparation and mineral processing plants found at surface mine sites is described. The content for the audits was derived from diverse sources of information on ergonomics and safety deficiencies including: analysis of injury, illness and fatality data and reports; task analysis; empirical laboratory studies of particular tasks; field studies and observations at mine sites; and maintenance records. These diverse sources of information were utilised to establish construct validity of the modular audits that were developed for use by mine safety personnel. User and interrater reliability testing was carried out prior to finalising the audits. The audits can be implemented using downloadable paper versions or with a free mobile NIOSH-developed Android application called ErgoMine.

Practitioner Summary: The methodology used to develop ergonomics audits for three types of mining operations is described. Various sources of audit content are compared and contrasted to serve as a guide for developing ergonomics audits for other occupational contexts.     

基于JACK的民机维修任务仿真及人机工效评估

在民用飞机产品的设计阶段考虑产品的可维修性,利用JACK软件对机务维修任务进行虚拟仿真以及对维修的舒适性、可达性、可视性进行人机工效评估,验证产品的可维修性并提出改进性的维修意见。首先将基于人机工效学设计的发动机UG模型导入JACK软件中创建分析对象;然后基于JACK建立虚拟人体模型,将虚拟人、维修对象导入三维虚拟环境中,并在任务仿真模块中完成维修任务的仿真;最后利用JACK软件的人机工效评估工具对维修任务仿真结果进行评估验证产品的可维修性及提出改进性的维修意见,这样既降低了飞机的维修成本,又验证了产品的可维修性。     

Heart Rate and the Concept of Circulatory Load∗

The functional demands of different types of work-load (dynamic and static muscular work, exposure to extreme hot or cold climates and the mental load caused by emotional stress and by the processing of information) are discussed in this paper. The need for absolute and comparative or relative measurement or estimation of these functional physiological demands in different work situations are considered. The validity of oxygen consumption of the body and of heartrate as an integral ergonomics measure are critically discussed. It is pointed out that these measures have only a high validity when (heavy) dynamic muscular work is considered. However, in muscular work of a static type and in the other type3 of work-load mentioned (climatic and mental conditions) there are many restrictions on their validity

Moreover, from the point of view of occupational medicine and ergonomics there is a need for specific knowledge about the load of different organic (functional) systems. Therefore, the concept of circulatory load is put forward and its value as an ergonomics measure is advocated

The use of heart rate alone as a measure of circulatory load has a rather restricted value. It is shown that the intrinsic value of each heartbeat as a measure of circulatory load differs greatly in different types of work-load, since apart from heart rate stroke-volume and mean blood pressure show various patterns of reaction in those conditions

The possibilities of exact measurement of these data in the practical work situation, however, are still rather limited. Nevertheless, when using heartrate as an ergonomics measure, those additional quantitative data determining the circulatory load and their reactions on different types of work-load should be carefully estimated and taken into account as much as possible     

Preventing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDS): new approaches in job (re)design and current trends in standardization

In industrialized countries, upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) are the most common form of occupational diseases. They are generating a growing population of workers with reduced working capacity. The link between these pathologies and different aspects of work organization has been convincingly proven. Recent experiences in Europe supporting the combination of traditional work design methods used in manufacturing companies with ergonomics methods are reported briefly, with special focus on the use of the occupational repetitive action (OCRA) method for risk assessment and management of manual repetitive tasks. The combined approach strives to achieve the goal of maintaining a satisfactory level of productivity while respecting ergonomics criteria and, definitely, workers' health. New ergonomics standards provide for interaction between job and machinery designers and ergonomists in the design of work processes and workplaces. These standards generally refer only to the healthy adult working population and do not always provide criteria for protecting particular working populations, such as that represented by workers affected by UL-WMSDs. The results of preliminary studies concerning productive re-employment of workers with UL-WMSDs allow the introduction of some criteria for implementing current ergonomics standards in this connection. One aim of this paper is to summarize experiences of close cooperation between ergonomists, machinery designers and job designers to guarantee productivity and the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. A second aim is to examine current ergonomics standards in the field of manual physical work (designed for healthy workers) and to suggest preliminary criteria for their implementation taking into account the capabilities and needs of specific sub-groups of the working population.     

A trend analysis of ergonomic research themes in Taiwan

This paper examines the development of ergonomics in Taiwan by analysing 1404 scientific articles published by 113 permanent members of the Ergonomics Society of Taiwan (EST). Each article was classified by key words and abstract content. Each article was also coded by period of publication (1971–1992 (first period), 1993–1997 (second period), 1998–2002 (third period), 2003–2007 (fourth period), and 2008–2012 (fifth period), and against 13 topic categories. The results show that rate of publication has increased by approximately 100 articles every five years since 1993.The most popular topic was ergonomics assessment and analysis techniques in the first period, force exertion-related research in the second period, product design and evaluation in the third period, occupational safety and health in the fourth period and human–computer interface in the fifth period. Each of these is highly relevant to current contemporary issues around the world. Finally, potential areas for future ergonomics research in Taiwan are discussed.     

‘1966 and all that’: Trends and developments in UK ergonomics during the 1960s

The 1960s represents a key decade in the expansion of ergonomics within the UK. This paper reviews trends and developments that emerged out of the 1960s and compares these with ergonomics research and practice today. The focus in particular is on the expansion of ergonomics as a discipline within industry, as well as more specific topics, such as the emergence of areas of interest, for example, computers and technology, automation and systems ergonomics and consumer ergonomics. The account is illustrated with a detailed timeline of developments, a set of industrial case studies and the contents of important publications during the decade. A key aim of the paper is to provide the opportunity to reflect on the past and the implications this may have for future directions for ergonomics within the UK.

The paper provides practitioners with an insight into the development of ergonomics in the UK during one of the most important decades of its history. This is especially relevant given the fact that in 2009 the Ergonomics Society celebrates its 60th anniversary.     

民机驾驶舱布局流程设计及应用

为减少民机驾驶舱设计迭代次数,提高设计质量和效率,提出了一种民机驾驶舱布局的设计流程。结合适航要求和人机工效分析方法,对飞行员眼位、人体尺寸、内部视界和外部视界、飞行员坐姿、座椅和脚蹬调节行程、中控台尺寸及其它关键部件位置进行了分析和研究。最后,应用提出的民机驾驶舱布局流程进行了公务机驾驶舱布局设计。结果表明,设计的民机驾驶舱布局流程能够快速实现预期设计目标,提高了设计效率,对民机驾驶舱设计具有指导意义。     

'The perfect is the enemy of the good' - ergonomics research and practice. Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors Annual Lecture 2010

The relationship between research and practice in ergonomics and human factors has rarely been addressed in the literature. This presents specific problems for researchers when seeking to relate their work to the research community. Equally, practitioners are often frustrated by the lack of appropriate research to meet their needs. This paper seeks to identify current drivers for ergonomics research along with an analysis of how these are changing. Specifically, the use of bibliometric data to assess research output and its impact on a multi-disciplinary subject such as ergonomics is examined. Areas where action may be required to stimulate better research and improved practice are proposed. These include a greater role for the practitioner in completing the circle of knowledge and improving the evidence base for practice with, in particular, practitioners becoming more active in determining research priorities. It is concluded that combined effort is needed by researcher and practitioner communities to enable and promote a more effective understanding of the true impact of ergonomics across industry and society. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: The relationship between ergonomics research and practice is examined. Research 'drivers' are identified, including the influence of bibliometric data. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. The role of practitioners in completing the circle of knowledge and improving the ergonomics evidence base is stressed, as is the need to promote the impact of ergonomics across society.     

Ergonomics: influencing management behaviour

If successful, ergonomics can prevent accidents and improve occupational safety and health. This success creates 'non-events' that are counterintuitive to organizational goals of efficiency and optimization. It is, therefore, difficult to cost-justify ergonomics to organizations and their management. This paper presents three specific strategies and one general strategy for marketing ergonomics and occupational safety and health. The specific strategies involve: (1) understanding corporate culture and translating ergonomics into that cultural context; (2) identifying criteria that motivate people to use ergonomics; and (3) introducing ergonomics proactively as a tool for cost avoidance. The more general strategy suggests that we need to be more involved at the organizational design and management level. By operating at the organizational level we can make changes from within the management structure rather than making suggestions to management.     

Incorporating Tactile Cues into Human‐Centered Virtual Product Design

This study introduces a high‐fidelity tactile feedback mechanism to capture ergonomics attributes of users inside virtual product development cycle. The research question posed regards whether the tactile feedback mechanism in virtual experiment proposes high fidelity of ergonomics results when compared to physical experiment outcomes. This question was evaluated through an objective and a subjective study. Objective study was composed of an ergonomics product assessment experiment, where two different cart designs (a commercial cart and a prototype model) were evaluated for ergonomic adequacy (L4/L5 compression forces). Subjective evaluation was consisted of a questionnaire to assess subjects' preferences regarding which cart model they preferred in three different design categories; maneuverability, accessibility, and ergonomics. Results showed that tactile feedback mechanism was able to replicate the physical test conditions in virtual environment with high fidelity, and prototype cart model received higher mean ratings when compared to commercial cart model in each design category.     

Recent developments in ergonomics in China

Ergonomic thought and practice were introduced in ancient China in relation to modern developments in Chinese ergonomics. Despite the ten-year interruption of the 'cultural revolution’ in the late 1960s and 1970s, ergonomics has made great progress in China in the last decade. In this paper some general developments in recent ergonomics’ teaching and in professional organizations are described. Four major areas of ergonomics research are illustrated: (1) Visual displays and signal design; (2) Human-computer interface with Chinese computers; (3) Cognitive strategies and decision support; (4) Mental workload and occupational stress. The main characteristics of Chinese ergonomics are discussed and new directions are highlighted, based on recent developments and progress.