Lifter,a Computerized Lifting Analysis Technique

A computer driven technique to analyze lifting forces, in non-homogeneous load situations, is described and tested. Analysis is based on a dynamic algorithm aimed to evaluate unconstrained lifting posture and non-homogeneous content of loads. For inputs we use actual geometrical body postures in the form of 3-dimensional co-ordinates obtained from pictures taken at a work site. The outputs show a good match between the findings and pre-study assumptions for balanced and non-balanced load lifting practice. The results of the experiments show a good degree of correlation with results reported by researchers for symmetrical lifting tasks and with National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) lifting guidelines. It is believed that the technique can serve as the proper choice for industrial and safety analysts of lifting activities.     

An Evaluation of the NIOSH Lifting Equation: A Psychophysical and Biomechanical Investigation

Using the results of psychophysical and biomechanical experiments, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Recommended Weight Limit (RWL), the Lifting Index (LI), the form of the asymmetry multiplier, and the criterion for compression force were investigated. Analysis of the results indicated a significant difference between the NIOSH RWL and the reported Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAWL). Contrary to the NIOSH lifting equation, the form of the asymmetry multiplier was found to be non-linear. The overall average of peak compression force on the L5/S1 was 3685 N. Fifty-eight percent of all compression forces reported in the biomechanical experiment were found to exceed the suggested 3400 N set by NIOSH guidelines. These results support previous research findings on the validity of NIOSH guidelines.     

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.     

Load Acceleration and Footstep Strategies in Asymmetrical Lifting and Lowering

Accelerated execution effects for lifting and lowering a 12-kg box using two footstep strategies associated with experienced workers were studied. Eight healthy male participants performed a normal and an accelerated execution of a lifting task and a lowering task, using a minimal feet displacement strategy (oblique-step) and a strategy with a step (crossed-step). It was hypothesized that the accelerated executions, as compared to the normal executions, would have a different effect on L5/S1 resultant moment, body posture, and other kinematic variables. A tridimensional dynamic rigid body model was used to compute L5/S1 resultant moments. Results showed that the accelerated condition did not reduce body asymmetry of posture, but it reduced the length of the path of the global center of gravity and the duration of the supporting phase of the box, and it did not significantly affect L5/S1 maximal resultant moments for lifting but increased them for lowering. These results indicate that the net work production for accelerated strategies might be smaller, which may represent an economy of energy. Furthermore, the results showed that the use of an accelerated strategy for lowering should be avoided.     

A Multilevel Approach to Manual Lifting in Manufacturing Industries

Musculoskeletal injuries are often the consequences of wrong postural configurations used during Manual Materials Handling (MMH). This eventually leads to a large payout of worker’s compensation and loss of production time. A simulated study of back injury risks has been carried out on seven selected manufacturing industries to identify and evaluate harmful working postures. For each MMH task, Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) codes have been identified with the help of motion study pictures. Also, Chaffin's biomechanical model was used to calculate L5/S1 load compression values on the spine during MMH activities. The multilevel approach adopted was a combination of OWAS and Chaffin’s biomechanical model. The application of a digitizer enabled us to identify the coordinates and it made a subsequent evaluation of the angles of each body link possible.     

少载荷级数下桥式起重机桥架疲劳安全寿命研究

提出了一种针对少载荷级数作用下的桥式起重机桥架裂纹萌生寿命计算的新数值模拟方法。该方法利用ANSYS软件中的生死单元模拟吊重起升和小车运行,得到桥架在3级载荷作用下的瞬态应力响应,将应力数据集导入到疲劳软件FE-SAFE中,根据多轴局部应力应变算法,基于Morrow平均应力修正下的Brown Miller损伤模型,对32t/A6桥式起重机桥架进行疲劳分析。计算结果表明,桥架疲劳寿命满足使用要求,疲劳失效主要发生在端梁腹板的拐角处。     

Epidemiological and biomechanical evaluation of airline baggage handling

Objectives. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent among airline baggage handlers due to manual materials handling. In this study, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), the revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lifting equation, and the University of Michigan 3D Static Strength Prediction Program? (3DSSPP) were used to analyze MSDs among baggage handlers. Methods. The NMQ was filled out by 209 baggage handlers and 46 arbitrarily selected baggage handlers were evaluated using the NIOSH method and 3DSSPP. Results. The obtained results showed that the most common MSDs occurred in the lower back region. The next risky regions included knees, neck, and upper back, respectively. The NIOSH results confirmed that the subjects lifted loads heavier than the permitted limit and their lifting postures were inappropriate. The results of the 3DSSPP also indicated that compression forces exceeded the NIOSH limit in these awkward postures. Conclusions. Relying on this study, holding compulsory ergonomic lifting training courses could be proposed for workers and regulations adjusting an upper limit for maximum baggage weight must be also enacted in order to improve occupational health and prevent the prevalence of increasing MSDs.     

起重作业挤压事故的分析与预防

分析了起重作业挤压事故的成因,并利用事故树分析方法分析了可能造成起重作业挤压事故的具体因素,对导致起重作业挤压事故重要度进行了排序分析.最后根据挤压事故原因提出了起重作业挤压事故的预防措施,主要包括起重机管理,人员的管理和培训,环境的管理,规章制度的建立.     

塔机驾驶员的持续性视觉注意负荷研究

为提高塔机作业安全工效,基于视觉心理学、认知心理学理论,利用眼动追踪技术记录驾驶员视觉行为数据,分析和评估塔机驾驶员视觉转移过程的表征参数,结果表明:起重作业过程中驾驶员注视时间长,视知觉资源主要集中于起吊物,保持持续性注意状态,以维持高效起重作业,心理负荷较大;起重作业不同子过程注视时间与瞳孔直径差异较大,在空中平移过程中注意力较为分散,瞳孔直径较小,心理负荷较小。据此,提出了塔机起重作业的人因工效改善方向,为起重作业安全实施提供决策支持。     

门式起重机起升动载荷分析

以某工厂门式起重机为研究对象,利用轴套力建模法和编制相应CMD命令文件建立了钢丝绳模型,对部件添加材料属性,并对整机施加相应的约束、载荷和驱动,实现了门式起重机的虚拟样机建模。研究了不同的调速方法对起升动载荷的影响,采用联合仿真法对比分析了串电阻调速和变频调速法对动载荷的影响,为门式起重机的疲劳寿命研究提供数据支撑。     

起重机械吊物(具)坠落砸人事故原因分析

运用调查和分析的方法,找出起重机械吊物(具)坠落砸人事故的原因,同时提出安全对策措施.     

A new shock tube configuration for studying dust-lifting during the initiation of a coal dust explosion

The traditional defence against propagating coal dust explosions is the application of dry stone dust. This proven and effective safety measure is strictly regulated based on extensive international experience. While new products, such as foamed stone dust, offer significant practical benefits, no benchmark tests currently exist to certify their dust lifting performance in comparison to dry stone dust. This paper reviews the coal dust explosion mechanism, and argues that benchmark testing should focus on dust lifting during the initial development of the explosion, prior to arrival of the flame. In a practical context, this requires the generation of shock waves with Mach numbers ranging from 1.05 to 1.4, and test times of the order of 10's to 100's of milliseconds. These proposed test times are significantly longer than previous laboratory studies, however, for certification purposes, it is argued that the dust lifting behaviour should be examined over the full timescales of an actual explosion scenario. These conditions can be accurately targeted using a shock tube at length scales of approximately 50 m. It is further proposed that useful test time can be maximised if an appropriately sized orifice plate is fitted to the tube exit, an arrangement which also offers practical advantages for testing. The paper demonstrates this operating capability with proof-of-concept experiments using The University of Queensland's X3 impulse facility.     

基于JSA-BN的水上提管维修作业风险分析

为保障海底油气管道维修作业安全,提出1种基于JSA-BN的作业风险分析方法。采用JSA方法辨识分析水上提管维修作业过程中潜在的风险因素,得出不同作业步骤的风险等级;建立水上提管维修作业贝叶斯网络模型,计算出各作业环节的成功概率;依托贝叶斯网络的逆向推理及敏感性分析能力,实现水上提管维修作业风险薄弱点的定量预测和评估。研究结果表明:提出的基于JSA-BN的作业风险分析方法可应用于近岸海底管道应急维修作业风险分析;在整个水上提管维修作业活动中,提管作业和切割破损管道作业为关键作业环节,提升过程中碰撞、掉落事件为薄弱风险因素。     

柔性拉索单臂架起重机臂架防后倾分析

在我国中、小内河港口，柔性拉索单臂架起重机极易发生臂架后倾事故。采取控制臂架不平衡力矩的方向、限制臂架倾角和起升高度、设置紧接断电开关等措施能有效地防止臂架后倾事故的发生。     

The use of assistance while lifting

Using assistance during lifting is a desirable behavior. Assistance can eliminate or reduce the amount of biomechanical stress associated with a lift, significantly reducing the risk of low back injury. This paper describes lifting activities engaged in by nursing care workers. Only 15% of all lifts performed by the hospital nursing personnel in this study were assisted lifts. The analysis suggests that the use of assistance can be associated with specific factors such as type of object lifted, work stress associated with the lift, number of preparations that must be made before the lift can be attempted, years of experience of the lifter, and the idiosyncratic behavior patterns of lifters with respect to using assistance. It is recommended that attention be given to psychological and social, as well as biomechanical, factors in the control of low back injury.     

Cervical vertebral motions and biomechanical responses to direct loading of human head

There is little known data characterizing the biomechanical responses of the human head and neck under direct head loading conditions. However, the evaluation of the appropriateness of current crash test dummy head-neck systems is easily accomplished. Such an effort, using experimental means, generates and provides characterizations of human head-neck response to several direct head loading conditions. Low-level impact loads were applied to the head and face of volunteers and dummies. The resultant forces and moments at the occipital condyle were calculated. For the volunteers, activation of the neck musculature was determined using electromyography (EMG). In addition, cervical vertebral motions of the volunteers have been taken by means of X-ray cineradiography. The Ethics Committee of Tsukuba University approved the protocol of the experiments in advance. External force of about 210 N was applied to the head and face of five volunteers with an average age of 25 for the duration of 100 msec or so, via a strap at one of four locations in various directions: (1) an upward load applied to the chin, (2) a rearward load applied to the chin without facial mask, (3) a rearward load applied to the chin with the facial mask, and (4) a rearward load applied to the forehead. The same impact force as those for the human volunteers was also applied to HY-III, THOR, and BioRID. We found that cervical vertebral motions differ markedly according to the difference in impact loading condition. Some particular characteristics are also found, such as the flexion or extension of the upper cervical vertebrae (C0, C1, and C2) or middle cervical vertebrae (C3-C4), showing that the modes of cervical vertebral motions are markedly different among the different loading conditions. We also found that the biofidelity of dummies to neck response characteristics of the volunteers at the low-level impact loads is in the order of BioRID, THOR, and HY-III. It is relevant in this regard that the BioRID dummy was designed for a low-severity impact environment, whereas THOR and HY-III were optimized for higher-severity impacts.     

强风中高速列车安全性研究

选用某国产动车1∶1模型,对高速列车在不同的侧风速度和风向角作用下运行进行模拟计算,得到列车所受气动力变化情况,研究气动力随风向角的变化机理。模拟结果表明,该车型在不同强度和不同风向角侧风作用下,侧向力、升力和倾覆力矩均随着侧风作用的增强而显著增大,在强侧风作用下,头车所受侧向力及倾覆力矩最大,较易发生倾覆事故;而尾车所受侧向力及倾覆力矩最小,相对安全。随风速和风向角的增大,受电弓和转向架对倾覆力矩的贡献均增大,在模拟时不可忽略;在风向角大于5°小于90°的范围内,列车各个部位的气动力与风向角呈3次方关系递增。     

Lifting Belts: A Review

This article reviews and evaluates the literature related to the effectiveness of protective restraints on abdominal strength, lower back injuries, and workers’ discomfort. The studies indicate that back belts have potential disadvantages as well as advantages. Belts seem to reduce lifting stress. They may, however, lead to a false sense of security while being worn and may also weaken the body, so injury occurs when they are not being worn. There also seems to be comfort problems with some belts. More scientific research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about positive, negative, or long-term effects of lifting belts.     

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。     

薄膜结构在动风荷载下的安全性能分析

从理论和实践两方面对薄膜结构在风荷载下的安全性能进行了研究。根据随机过程理论 ,用计算机模拟生成具有空间相关性的风场。发展建立了膜结构几何非线性动力响应问题的有限元公式 ,并以此为基础对一具体的膜结构进行了动力时程响应分析。通过观察膜结构在不同风速下的位移时程曲线 ,笔者发现 :当外界风速小于一定的临界风速时 ,结构的位移响应会逐渐趋于稳态 ,结构的振动逐渐趋于稳定 ,这时结构是安全的 ;当外界风速超过或接近临界风速时 ,结构的振幅会逐渐增大 ,膜结构将可能发生驰振损坏。进而提出了通过增大膜内预应力或提高膜曲面的曲率来防止膜结构风振破坏的方法 ,并指出了在设计和施工中为保证膜结构的风振安全应当采取的措施。