Showing papers in "Applied Ergonomics in 1993"

TL;DR: RULA (rapid upper limb assessment) is a survey method developed for use in ergonomics investigations of workplaces where work-related upper limb disorders are reported.

TL;DR: The main objectives of this study were to identify the most problematic postures in hammering tasks performed at building construction sites through application of the computerized OWAS method, and to develop recommendations for improvement of working method and workplaces.

TL;DR: The results show that sustained EASP does not hurt at once, but becomes painful after a short time and the time of exposure was found to be important also for the quality of the sensation.

TL;DR: In this paper, handles for two commonly used hand tools, the chisel and the off-set pliers, are designed using ergonomic principles and clearly showed that the ergonomically designed handle allows higher working efficiency than existing handles.

TL;DR: A model, visualized as a cube, was developed for the classification and analysis of work with hand tools and for communication of different ways of solving problems related to manual handling.

TL;DR: There are gaps in the research in this area which need to be addressed in order to guide designers in the specifications of products which are functional, efficient, safe and attractive to older and younger users alike.

TL;DR: This paper discusses coefficient of dynamic friction mu(k), and perceived discomfort for differently textured surfaces when touched by a normal hand, a 'sweaty' hand and a hand contaminated with glycerol, paraffin oil or lard.

TL;DR: Three main examples are given to demonstrate how ergonomics studies and prototype/model evaluation by the target users have led to new designs for familiar objects: eating implements, walking sticks and coffee pots.

TL;DR: Based on current knowledge of cumulative trauma disorders in the hand and forearm, related to the use of hand tools, an analysis was undertaken of variables to be considered in ergonomics evaluation of hand Tools.

TL;DR: Objective coefficient-of-friction measurements and subjective walking experiments were compared to scrutinize and validate anti-slip assessments of the shoe-floor interface and found the apparatus-based kinetic friction values mu(k1) were more valid and, in particular, more reproducible.

TL;DR: Performance, grip forces and fatigue were studied in six male and six female subjects while cutting with plate-shears and neither EMG analysis (frequency shifts) nor subjective exertion or reduction of handgrip MVC indicated a more pronounced fatigue in women than in men.

TL;DR: Reaction torque measures of six different nutrunners were correlated with EMG measures and subjective ratings of perceived exertion for different work surface orientations, joint stiffnesses, rpm levels, air pressure levels and handle configurations.

TL;DR: Reaction forces, hand-arm displacement, muscle activity and discomfort ratings were studied during the securing of threaded fasteners with three angle nutrunners with different shut-off mechanisms, but with the same spindle torque (72-74 Nm).

TL;DR: In the process of tightening a joint, the angled nutrunner acts on the operator with a torque reaction in the final stages of the tightening sequence, and the displacement amplitude can be used as a measure of the operator's discomfort.

TL;DR: Overall, kinematic motion of the hand appeared to decrease while wearing protective gloves, in comparison with the barehanded state.

TL;DR: The paper looks at a four-step process to facilitate design for a particular market, in this case old people, and an important ingredient has been found to be story-telling about what people want and scenario building for products and services in use.

TL;DR: 2-D photographic posture recording and description by means of photography is described and is a valid method as long as some guidelines for reduction of perspective error are followed.

TL;DR: The results of a survey of patterns of motorcycle helmet use in Delhi, and the design details of a more comfortable helmet, with a better ventilating system, to promote wider use are reported.

TL;DR: Based upon an extensive review of hypertext navigation problems and the aiding systems proposed to deal with these, four different types of navigation aid have been built; these are schematic and spatial representations in two and three dimensions.

TL;DR: To reduce the risk of developing injuries from screwdriving in construction work, it is necessary not only to improve screwdriver design, but also to improve posture and to select appropriate screws and material.

TL;DR: A training programme was designed to improve the performance of the inspectors and improvements were measured both on an individual basis and from plant-wide statistics to show the success of the programme.

TL;DR: There is clearly an urgent need to direct attention to older sectors of the population, including: fit and active people in retirement; affluent groups in old age; single households; women, who form a majority of the over 50s; and other groups which have been neglected in many work studies.

TL;DR: There was sufficient evidence to show that the use of different handtools to carry out a given task could influence the physiological cost incurred by the user, and that some tools performed more effectively than others in the completion of that task.

TL;DR: The results showed that both the dynamic and static models developed in this study could predict the MAWL with a reasonable degree of accuracy, but a comparison of the models revealed that the use of the dynamic model resulted in less PRESS statistics and higher values than the static model.

TL;DR: Whereas the memory of posture estimates was stable for the period of study, the duration estimates deteriorated with passage of time and the force assessment during pushing activity was significantly different from actual but the pulling forces were estimated and recalled accurately.

TL;DR: The results show that low similar steps and well-designed handrails in the bus entrance made boarding and alighting easier and the seat trials showed the importance of having suitable grab rails to allow people to pull or heave themselves up.

TL;DR: The role of road transport informatics (RTI) is evaluated as a means for enhancing driver capabilities and improving road safety and implications for product design are discussed.

TL;DR: In both the modification of old products and in design for compressed morbidity, there is a need for methods which encourage activity instead of just moderating the effects of infirmity.

TL;DR: There was a significant reduction in EMG values of the lumbar paraspinal muscles and a consistent reduction in perceived exertion ratings while the modified shovel was being used for removing dirt in digging trenches up to 90 cm in depth.