搬运作业能量消耗模型及仿真研究

为预防手工搬运工人因疲劳引发的职业性肌肉骨骼损伤(WMSDs),综合考虑生产效率和人因工程2个因素,提出考虑搬运时间和能量消耗的双目标模型;采用IGRIP/ERGO和Matlab软件,设计交互式仿真平台;以某汽车刹车片制造公司的手工搬运作业(MMH)为例,应用上述模型进行模拟仿真,得出最优解。结果表明:投入材料数量和生产工序均对能量消耗和作业时间有显著影响,并且能耗和时间的变化率负相关;该模型兼顾生产效率和人因工程2个因素,能够得出最优作业方案;交互式仿真平台有助于控制并预防现代工业生产中的WMSDs风险,使工作环境和作业设计达到人因工程要求。     

NIOSH手工提举方程在缸盖搬运中的应用

为了平衡操作人员的精力和体力,在保证人安全的前提下,提高生产力。采用NIOSH（National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health）提举方程对机加工车间缸盖搬运上线工位进行人机工程安全评估,通过对操作工作业的水平距离（H）、垂直距离（V）、提升距离（D）以及频率（F）进行研究,并对修订版NIOSH提举方程的重量常量与高度系数进行了修正。结果表明,经过合理调整四大参数,可在不设起吊、机器人等设备的情况下,保证人的身心健康,节约成本,提高人的工作效能。     

The influence of axle position and the use of accessories on the activity of upper limb muscles during manual wheelchair propulsion

Introduction. Wheelchair configuration is an important factor influencing the ergonomics of the user–device interface and, from a biomechanical point of view, small changes in chair setup may have a positive influence on the demand on the upper limbs during manual propulsion. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the position of the rear wheels’ axle and the use of accessories on the activity of upper limb muscles during manual wheelchair propulsion. Methods. Electromyography signals of the biceps, triceps, anterior deltoids and pectoralis major were collected for 11 able-bodied subjects in a wheelchair propulsion protocol with four different wheelchair configurations (differing in axle position and the use of accessories) on a straightforward sprint and a slalom course. Results. With accessories, moving the axle forward led to a decrease in the activity of all muscles in both the straightforward sprint (significant differences in triceps, anterior deltoids and biceps) and the slalom course (significant difference in anterior deltoids and biceps). However, when propelling the chair without accessories, no difference was found related to axle position. Conclusion. Changes in wheelchair configuration can influence the ergonomics of manual wheelchair propulsion. Reducing the biomechanical loads may benefit users’ mobility, independence and social participation.     

Development and evaluation of RAMP I – a practitioner’s tool for screening of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in manual handling

RAMP I is a screening tool developed to support practitioners in screening for work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors related to manual handling. RAMP I, which is part of the RAMP tool, is based on research-based studies combined with expert group judgments. More than 80 practitioners participated in the development of RAMP I. The tool consists of dichotomous assessment items grouped into seven categories. Acceptable reliability was found for a majority of the assessment items for 15 practitioners who were given 1?h of training. The usability evaluation points to RAMP I being usable for screening for musculoskeletal disorder risk factors, i.e., usable for assessing risks, being usable as a decision base, having clear results and that the time needed for an assessment is acceptable. It is concluded that RAMP I is a usable tool for practitioners.     

Dental Workers,Musculoskeletal CumulativeTrauma,and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Who is at Risk? A Pilot Study

A pilot study was conducted at a dental clinic to identify (a) the prevalence of musculoskeletal cumulative trauma disorders (MCTD), (b) associated symptoms (with special attention paid to carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS]), and (c) practitioners at risk. Videotapes, two questionnaires, a medical record review, and interviews were used. Forty-five dental workers participated and were classified into three categories: (a) dentists, (b) dental assistants and special assistants (DA/SA), and (c) dental hygienists and dental assistant-expanded function (DH/DAEF). Categorical data were analyzed using the chi- square statistic and risk ratios. The Fisher exact probability test was used for categorical data with a small cell. One or more symptoms associated with CTS were noted by 75.6% of the dental workers, 11% reported diagnosed CTS, and 53% reported back and shoulder pain. Both psychosocial factors and job demands appear to be associated with MCTD. All three categories of dental workers reported MCTD symptoms, and the DH/DAEF group was found to be at greatest risk for developing upper extremity symptoms, CTS, and back pain.     

拉力作业肌肉疲劳研究进展及展望

为全面了解人工物料搬运(MMH)中拉力作业肌肉疲劳研究现状,深入分析作业过程肌肉疲劳特征,预防肌肉骨骼系统疾患(MSDs),在检索国内外MMH拉力作业肌肉疲劳研究相关成果的基础上,总结5种基本研究方法,并将MMH拉力作业按照工作任务类型和研究对象进行分类,综述其研究所采用的方法及研究结论。最后,评述拉力作业肌肉疲劳现有研究结果,并结合其他作业任务的肌肉疲劳研究成果,展望5个拉力作业肌肉疲劳的研究方向。结果表明:现有拉力作业肌肉疲劳研究主要包括静态作业研究和动态作业研究2个方面,且由静态作业研究向动态作业研究转变;同时采用几种研究方法以全面揭示作业过程肌肉疲劳问题;动态以及间歇作业肌肉疲劳特征、发展规律和预测建模方面的研究较少,是今后的主要研究方向。     

Workplace Design for Manual Assembly Tasks: Effect of Spatial Arrangement on Work-Cycle Time

This article reports the results of an experimental study undertaken to investigate the effect of spatial arrangement of assembly board and parts bin in the normal work area on work-cycle time in manual assembly tasks. Operator performance was measured in terms of average work-cycle time taken to complete a laboratory-simulated manual assembly task. Results showed that both location and distance factors had significant effects on work-cycle time. Effect of the size of parts was also investigated in the study. Average observed work-cycle times were compared with the methods–time measurement (MTM) values. Repetitive manual assembly tasks are common in industry and are thought to lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The results of this research are important for ergonomic design of the workplace for assembly tasks, which would help to enhance operators’ efficiency.     

Predictive Models of Lumbar Loadings When Handling Boxes

Back problems resulting from the compression forces on the intervertebral disks during manual material-handling tasks are an important problem affecting workers in various industries. The quantification of these forces using intradiscal pressure or biomechanical modeling is complex, time consuming, and costly, and these methods cannot be readily used in the workplace to estimate loadings on the lower back. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model that would allow the estimation of lumbar loadings for lifting and lowering boxes using easily measured anthropometric variables and variables related to the task. A dynamic and planar segmental model and a model of internal forces at L5/S1 were used to determine the compression forces on the lower back. Two predictive models, a field model and a laboratory model, were developed to estimate the compression forces when lifting or lowering 3.3 kg to 22.0 kg boxes between heights of 15 cm and 185 cm. Both models were validated by an examination of the residuals. Their predictive performance was also compared, with the laboratory model offering a slightly better prediction than the field model. Thus, these equations represent a practical tool for a better planning of handling tasks in the working environment with the purpose of reducing the back injuries of workers.     

Manual Material Handling Assessment Among Workers of Iranian Casting Workshops

Manual material handling (MMH) tasks can be found in most workplaces and they may constitute a risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of WMSDs and to compare MMH loads with the acceptable weight and force limits among Iranian casting workers. Data were collected from 50 workers of casting workshops who performed MMH tasks. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the Snook tables were used as tools for data collection. Hand/ wrist symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (84%). The results of the Snook tables showed that the loads in lifting (84%), lowering (86%), carrying (66%), pushing with initial (43%) and sustained force (59%), and pulling tasks with initial (48%) and sustained force (93%) exceeded recommended limits. WMSDs occurred in high rates among the workers and, thus, ergonomics interventions should focus on decreasing WMSDs and redesigning MMH tasks.     

水电工程地下洞室施工作业职业危害及控制

水电工程地下洞室施工建设周期长、施工复杂,不同工种作业人员众多,且都属于地下作业,现场作业环境恶劣,加强作业人员职业健康保护尤显重要。本文通过调查水电工程地下洞室施工过程中的工程建设内容、施工机械设备、作业人员构成,并根据水电工程地下洞室施工各阶段的施工特点,分析了各阶段施工作业过程中可能产生的职业性有害因素的类型和特点。在此基础上,有针对性的提出预防控制措施,以达到防治相关职业性有害因素对作业人员危害的目的。