Design and Ergonomics. Methods for Integrating Ergonomics at Hand Tool Design Stage

As a marked increase in the number of musculoskeletal disorders was noted in many industrialized countries and more specifically in companies that require the use of hand tools, the French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS) launched in 1999 a research project on the topic of integrating ergonomics into hand tool design, and more particularly to a design of a boning knife.

After a brief recall of the difficulties of integrating ergonomics at the design stage, the present paper shows how 3 design methodological tools—Functional Analysis, Quality Function Deployment and TRIZ—have been applied to the design of a boning knife. Implementation of these tools enabled us to demonstrate the extent to which they are capable ofresponding to the difficulties ofintegrating ergonomics into product design.     

The Relationships Between Biomechanical and Postural Stresses,Musculoskeletal Injury Rates,and Perceived Body Discomfort Experienced by Industrial Workers: A Field Study

A combination of archival, subjective, and observational field data collection methods were used to investigate the relationship between biomechanical and postural stresses, and the resulting physical strain experienced by industrial workers of a packaging plant. Assessment of physical strain was based on the number and incidence rate of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-reportable injuries that were recorded over a period of 27 months, and based on the self-reported ratings of perceived body discomfort. Both the biomechanical and postural stresses correlated with the musculoskeletal injury rate. The results illustrate the usefulness of postural and biomechanical analyses for assessing the risk of injury in industry.     

Application of a Screening Method in Assessing Occupational Safety and Health of Computer Workstations

Employers and workers need concrete guidance to plan and implement changes in the ergonomics of computer workstations. The Näppärä method is a screening tool for identifying problems requiring further assessment and corrective actions. The aim of this study was to assess the work of occupational safety and health (OSH) government inspectors who used Näppärä as part of their OSH enforcement inspections (430 assessments) related to computer work. The modifications in workstation ergonomics involved mainly adjustments to the screen, mouse, keyboard, forearm supports, and chair. One output of the assessment is an index indicating the percentage of compliance items. This method can be considered as exposure assessment and ergonomics intervention used as a benchmark for the level of ergonomics. Future research can examine whether the effectiveness of participatory ergonomics interventions should be investigated with Näppärä.     

Self-Rated Physical Loads of Work Tasks Among Firefighters

Objectives. The present study sought to identify firefighters’ rated physical demands for the most frequently occurring work tasks and to determine if the ratings differed between full-time and part-time firefighters to help create a basis for the development of physical employment tests for firefighters. Methods. An extensive questionnaire was completed by 125 and 68 firefighters in 2000 and 2010, respectively. The data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U test and binominal test and ranked on the basis of the responses in each category. Results. Significant differences were seen between the full- and part-time firefighters. The work tasks rated as the most physically strenuous in terms of aerobic fitness, muscle strength, work posture and body control by most respondents were smoke diving upstairs (carrying a hose), victim rescue in different ways, carrying a stretcher over terrain and pulling a hose. Conclusions. Physically strenuous work tasks should be included in the end-point performance variables used to select physical performance tests for firefighters. The part-time firefighters with no experience in several of the work tasks suggests that work-related exercises are important if both groups of firefighters are expected to do similar work.     

A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effects of the Erggi Action Model of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and VDU Working Conditions Among University Staff

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions of university workers with and without contact with an Erggi action model. Methods. A quasi-experimental and longitudinal field study design examined effects of the Erggi action model with 3 types of questionnaires filled by 1000 university workers. The statistical analyses used logistic regression. Results. Subjects who had contact with the Erggi action model had a higher probability of weekly musculoskeletal symptoms impairing their work, perceived more possibilities to influence their musculoskeletal symptoms and had lower risk for sick leave compared to those without contact with the Erggi action model. Conclusions. The Erggi action model increases the probability of influencing workers’ musculoskeletal symptoms, decreases the number of sick leave and increases awareness of musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions.     

Hand anthropometric study in northern Colombia

The main purpose of this study is to gather information about the dimensions of the northern Colombian (Caribbean region) population, focusing on the dimensions of the hand and comparing them with measurements from other regions. Thirty-two hand dimensions were chosen and 120 males and 86 females were measured. Results indicated that there were differences between the dimensions of the hand for men and women, showing that men are larger. Also, there was a comparison made between some measurements of other studies in different regions of Colombia, the USA, Chile, Jordan, Korea and Japan. The results indicated important physiological differences between regions in Colombia and across countries. It was therefore concluded that differences in anthropometric measurements must be included in the design and procurement of machinery and apparatus in order to avoid productivity loss, occupational injuries or illness.     

秦皇岛市农村饮水安全状况调查与管理对策

秦皇岛市农村饮水安全状况调查结果显示,90％受访户采用家庭分散式浅井取水、100％的用户取水后以漂白粉消毒,但消毒剂的投加不规范。当地政府从未组织对水质进行安全检测,农村缺少污水处理和垃圾处理设施,缺少健全的供水管理制度并且饮水安全意识薄弱。可以从加大水利资金投入推进集约化供水、引进权责明晰的多元化管理制度、建立水源地保护和水质监测的长效机制、推进农村污染综合整治等方面解决农村饮水安全问题。加强饮水安全后续管理,推进社会主义新农村建设。     

水和废水中甲醛测定关键问题探析

结合环境监测工作实际,应用国标经典分析方法-乙酰丙酮分先先度法《水和废水监测分析方法（第四版）》对水和废水中甲醛的测定进行了系统研究。概述了方法原理,简介了方法所需仪器与试剂,深入探讨了运用该方法进行水和废水中甲醛测定的一些关键操作技术问题。指出在标准分析方法的基础上,选用最新生产的合格的分析纯以上试剂,准确进行浑浊带色水样的预处理,初步确定未知水样稀释倍数,利用蒸馏法消除显色异常水样组成复杂的干扰,能够确保水样甲醛测定的精密度和准确度。     

四川发展农业循环经济的现状及问题

介绍了四川省地形地貌、人口与农业资源概况,分析了四川发展农业循环经济的现状和模式,提出了四川发展农业循环经济的关键问题。     

从“人”与“机”关系看机械企业事故的预防

首先,分析"以机器为本"和"以人为本"的两种设计思想,指出设计过程的各个阶段都要高度重视"以人为本"并对该理念加以应用;其次,通过大量的文献资料查阅和对多家机械企业的实地事故情况调查,总结出多家机械企业几年来发生的24项事故,23项不良设计和11项良好设计,从工业设计专业以及人机工程学角度对其进行了过程总结、基本原因分析,提出"以机器为本"的设计思想是许多工业产品设计不良的根本原因,而工业产品设计不良或者工作环境设计不佳则导致多种事故的发生,因此,"以人为本"的设计思想必须深入到产品设计的全过程中,以创造出无危险的安全技术保障;最后,笔者再次强调,企业的安全生产和事故控制,必须坚持"以人为本"的基本策略和理论,同时呼吁社会各界要对"以人为本"的设计思想充分理解并加以应用,共创安全的和谐社会。