Showing papers in "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics in 2004"
TL;DR: The results revealed that the prevalence rates for symptoms in different body regions were high as compared to the general Iranian population and major ergonomic factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms were loom type, working posture, daily working time and seat type.
Abstract: Carpet weaving is a high risk occupation for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The objectives of the present study, which was carried out in the Iranian hand-woven carpet industry, were determination of the prevalence of MSD symptoms, identification of major factors associated with MSD symptoms and development of guidelines for workstation design. 1,439 randomly selected weavers participated in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data on MSD symptoms. The results revealed that the prevalence rates for symptoms in different body regions were high as compared to the general Iranian population (for neck, back and large joints, p < .0001). The results of multivariate analyses showed that major ergonomic factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms were loom type, working posture, daily working time and seat type. Based on the results, some general guidelines for designing weaving workstations were developed. A prototype test showed that the new workstation was acceptable for subject tests and that it improved working posture. MSDs in small-scale industries posture assessment in carpet hand weaving operation MSDs in industrially developing countries (IDCs) weaving workstation design
150 citations
TL;DR: Moisture in clothing systems worn by wildland firefighters may increase or decrease heat transfer, depending on its source and location in the clothing system, location on the body, timing of application and degree of sorption, in this experiment.
Abstract: Wildland firefighters work in unfavourable environments involving both heat and moisture Moisture in clothing systems worn by wildland firefighters may increase or decrease heat transfer, depending on its source and location in the clothing system, location on the body, timing of application and degree of sorption In this experiment, 4 outerwear/underwear combinations were exposed to 1 of 5 different conditions varying on amount and location of moisture The fabric systems were then exposed to either a high-heat-flux flame exposure (83 kW/m 2 ) or a low-heat-flux radiant exposure (10 kW/m 2 ) Under high-heat-flux flame exposures, external moisture tended to decrease heat transfer through the fabric systems, while internal moisture tended to increase heat transfer Under low-heat-flux radiant exposures, internal moisture decreased heat transfer through the fabric systems The nature and extent of such differences was fabric dependent Implications for test protocol development are discussed heat transfer moisture clothing systems
76 citations
TL;DR: The ice-vest reduces physiological and subjective strain responses during heavy work in the heat, and may promote efficient work time by 10%.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of wearing an ice-vest (ca 1 kg) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighters. The experiments were carried out on a treadmill in a hot-dry environment. The physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal manikin. The ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest. On average, heart rate was 10 beats/min lower, the amount of sweating was reduced by 13%, and subjective sensations of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. Thermal manikin tests indicated that the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58%). In conclusion, the ice-vest reduces physiological and subjective strain responses during heavy work in the heat, and may promote efficient work time by 10%.
74 citations
TL;DR: Since the overwhelming majority of weavers’ health problems originate from ergonomic risk factors, it is concluded that any improvement program in this industry should focus on ergonomic aspects.
Abstract: This paper reviews the role and importance of small-scale industries together with the issue of occupational health problems and their causes in Iranian hand-woven carpet industry as a typical informal small-scale industry in an industrially developing country. The objective of this paper is to review health risk factors and related occupational health and ergonomic problems in the carpet industry. Since the overwhelming majority of weavers' health problems originate from ergonomic risk factors, it is concluded that any improvement program in this industry should focus on ergonomic aspects. To assess ergonomic conditions in weaving workshops, a checklist has been developed and an ergonomics index indicating the ergonomic conditions of the workshop has been proposed. To test and verify the checklist, 50 weaving workshops were visited and their ergonomic conditions were assessed. Based on the results some modifications were made and the checklist was shown to be an effective tool.
57 citations
TL;DR: The results show that in general impermeable materials offer better protection against hot steam than semi-permeable ones.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the transfer of steam through different types of textile layers as a function of sample parameters such as thickness and permeability. In order to simulate the human body, a cylinder releasing defined amounts of moisture was also used. The influence of sweating on heat and mass transfer was assessed. The results show that in general impermeable materials offer better protection against hot steam than semi-permeable ones. The transfer of steam depended on the water vapour permeability of the samples, but also on their thermal insulation and their thickness. Increasing the thickness of the samples with a spacer gave a larger increase in protection with the impermeable samples compared to semi-permeable materials. Measurements with pre-wetted samples showed a reduction in steam protection in any case. On the other hand, the measurements with a sweating cylinder showed a beneficial effect of sweating. Language: en
55 citations
TL;DR: An analysis has proved that in the group of accidents caused by improper functioning of machine control systems, serious accidents happened much more frequently as compared to thegroup of accidents with no relation to the control system.
Abstract: The scope of this study covers events resulting from improper functioning of machine control systems. An accident model providing a basis for formulating a checklist for accident analysis has been developed. Data about 700 accidents were collected. An analysis has proved that in the group of accidents caused by improper functioning of machine control systems, serious accidents happened much more frequently as compared to the group of accidents with no relation to the control system. The reasons for the majority of incidents caused by improper performance of safety functions consist in the errors made by designers. In view of that, incorrect behaviour of a worker should be treated as a normal event instead of a deviation causing an accident.
46 citations
TL;DR: The isometric pull and push strength profiles of males and females were determined in seated and standing positions in the workspace and the strongest pull strength location was at extreme reach vertically above the shoulder for both females and males.
Abstract: The isometric pull and push strength profiles of males and females were determined in seated and standing positions in the workspace. The strongest pull strength location was at extreme reach vertically above the shoulder for both males and females. The greatest pull strength of 400 Newtons (N) for males was recorded in the seated and standing positions. Females' pull strengths in the seated and standing positions were 222 and 244 N, respectively. The strongest push strength was always at the maximum reach at the overhead location. Males' maximum push strength was 227 N in the seated position and 251 N in the standing position. Females' maximum push strength was 96 N in the seated position and 140 N in the standing position. On the average the strength in the standing position was 79% of the seated position. The push strength was 71% of the pull strength and females were 56% as strong as males.
45 citations
TL;DR: The reproducibility of thermal insulation test results in a single laboratory was good, and the variation was lower than 3%.
Abstract: According to the European prestandard ENV 342:1998, the thermal insulation of cold-protective clothing is measured with a thermal manikin. Systematic studies on the reproducibility of the values, measured with different types of clothing on the commonly used standing and walking manikins, have not been reported in the literature. Over 300 measurements were done in 8 different European laboratories. The reproducibility of the thermal insulation test results was good. The coefficient of variation was lower than 8%. The measured clothing should fit the manikin precisely, because poorly fitting clothing gave an error in the results. The correlation between parallel and serial insulation values was excellent and parallel values were about 20% lower than serial ones. The influence of ambient conditions was critical only in the case of air velocity. The reproducibility of thermal insulation test results in a single laboratory was good, and the variation was lower than 3%.
43 citations
TL;DR: The results confirmed the hypotheses that people who experienced accidents, dangerous situations, and—to a lesser extent—health problems had a lower level of safety culture.
Abstract: One of the dimensions treated as part of a company’s safety culture or climate is workers’ attitudes towards risk and safety. In the present study these personal aspects are defined as workers’ safety culture, which is understood as a way of acting focused on life and taking care of one’s health. A questionnaire on safety culture was filled out by 200 employees of a metallurgical enterprise. Factor analysis was used to determine empirical scales of the questionnaire, whereas variance analysis was used to test hypotheses. The results confirmed the hypotheses that people who experienced accidents, dangerous situations, and—to a lesser extent—health problems had a lower level of safety culture. Nevertheless not all of the scales determined during factor analysis turned out to be significant as far as all kinds of those undesirable situations are concerned. Proposals for future studies are formulated in the conclusion.
37 citations
TL;DR: This paper shows how 3 design methodological tools—Functional Analysis, Quality Function Deployment and TRIZ—have been applied to the design of a boning knife to demonstrate the extent to which they are capable of responding to the difficulties of integrating ergonomics into product design.
Abstract: 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.
36 citations
TL;DR: The present results indicate that the exceptionally heavy physical load and psychological stress during operations in chemical emergencies must be considered in the assessment of the cardiovascular capacity of ageing firefighters using CPSSs.
Abstract: This job-related experiment investigated physiological strain in subjects wearing impermeable chemical protective suit systems (CPSSs) weighing about 28 kg. Two types of CPSSs were studied: the self-contained breathing apparatus was carried either inside or outside the suit. Eight healthy and physically fit male firefighter instructors aged 32 to 45 years volunteered for the study. The test drill, performed at a dry, windless ta of 40 C, was divided into 2 consecutive work sessions of 14.5 min (a 20-min rest between) including typical operational work tasks. Considerable thermal and maximal cardiovascular strain and intense subjective discomfort measured in the firefighters emphasize the need to limit working time in hot conditions to only 10–12 min while wearing CPSSs. The present results indicate that the exceptionally heavy physical load and psychological stress during operations in chemical emergencies must be considered in the assessment of the cardiovascular capacity of ageing firefighters using CPSSs. chemical protective suit hot conditions physiological strain
TL;DR: An ergonomics improvement study was conducted on the visual inspection process of a printed circuit assembly (PCA) factory, which produced savings in rejection cost, reduced operators’ eye strain, headaches and watery eyes, lowered the defect percentage at customers’ sites and increased the factory’s productivity and customer satisfaction.
Abstract: An ergonomics improvement study was conducted on the visual inspection process of a printed circuit assembly (PCA) factory. The process was studied through subjective assessment and direct observation. Three problems were identified: operators' eye problems, insufficient time for inspection and ineffective visual inspection. These problems caused a huge yearly rejection cost of US 298,240 dollars, poor quality, customer dissatisfaction and poor occupational health and safety. Ergonomics interventions were made to rectify the problems: reduced usage of a magnifying glass, the use of less glaring inspection templates, inspection of only electrically non-tested components and introduction of a visual inspection sequence. The interventions produced savings in rejection cost, reduced operators' eye strain, headaches and watery eyes, lowered the defect percentage at customers' sites and increased the factory's productivity and customer satisfaction.
TL;DR: Ergonomics should be considered in the work system design so as to reduce or eliminate problems in oilrigs in hot desert environments.
Abstract: The main objective of this research was to conduct an assessment of ergonomic-related problems in oilrigs in a desert environment. A checklist, physical audit and medical records were used in the investigation. The results showed significant health, environment and work-related problems that could be attributed to ergonomic deficiencies in the work system of the oilrig. Some major ergonomic issues identified were hard physical work, back pain, discomfort, hot environment, long shift, and diverse schedule. Ninety-four percent of the employees perceived the workday as very long, 79% were dissatisfied with the work schedule, while 61% of the employees perceived the summer work environment as extremely hot. Ergonomics should be considered in the work system design so as to reduce or eliminate problems in oilrigs in hot desert environments.
TL;DR: The paper describes the correlation between cold and pain sensations, and foot skin temperatures of the subjects and relates these to insulation measured on a thermal foot model, and recommendations are made for footwear choice according to environmental temperature.
Abstract: The use of physiological data from human tests in modelling should consider background data, such as activity, environmental factors and clothing insulation on the whole body. The present paper focuses on local thermal comfort of feet with special attention on the effects of physical changes of footwear thermal properties. An alternative test method is available for footwear thermal testing besides the standard method. The possibility to use insulation values acquired on a thermal foot model in practice is shown here. The paper describes the correlation between cold and pain sensations, and foot skin temperatures of the subjects and relates these to insulation measured on a thermal foot model. Recommendations are made for footwear choice according to environmental temperature.
TL;DR: One of the objectives of the European SUBZERO project was to study the influence of sweat evaporation and condensation on the heat transmission properties of cold protective clothing and with the sweating thermal manikin Coppelius, water vapour transfer through and water condensation in the clothing can be determined simultaneously with the thermal insulation.
Abstract: One of the objectives of the European SUBZERO project was to study the influence of sweat evaporation and condensation on the heat transmission properties of cold protective clothing. With the sweating thermal manikin Coppelius, water vapour transfer through and water condensation in the clothing can be determined simultaneously with the thermal insulation. In this study, 4 cold protective ensembles, intended for use temperatures between 0 and -50 degrees C, were measured with the dry manikin and at 2 different sweating rates. In addition, the ensembles were measured with non-sweating thermal manikins and in wear trials.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of weaving height and seat type on postural variables and subjective experience of carpet weavers were investigated and guidelines for workstation adjustments were developed. But they did not consider the effect of the weaving height on the subjective experience.
Abstract: Carpet weavers suffer from musculoskeletal problems mainly attributed to poor working postures. Their posture is mostly constrained by the design of workstations. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 2 design parameters (weaving height and seat type) on postural variables and subjective experience, and to develop guidelines for workstation adjustments. At an experimental workstation, 30 professional weavers worked in 9 different conditions. Working posture and weavers’ perceptions were measured. It was shown that head, neck and shoulder postures were influenced by weaving height. Both design parameters influenced trunk and elbows postures. The determinant factor for weavers’ perception on the neck, shoulders and elbows was found to be weaving height, and on the back and knees it was seat type. Based on the results, the following guidelines were developed: (a) weaving height should be adjusted to 20 cm above elbow height; (b) a 10o forward-sloping high seat is to be used at weaving workstations. weaving workstation design carpet hand-weaving operation musculoskeletal problems, working posture
TL;DR: Evaluations immediately after FWs and 3 months later showed a strong relationship with high correlation, indicating that the perception of FW participants was very positive, and FW is considered to be a useful ergonomics tool, and its qualities are related to structure and practical performance.
Abstract: This study was carried out to assess Future Workshop (FW) regarding its usefulness as a participatory ergonomics method, using a descriptive evaluation design analysed by phenomenographical approac ...
TL;DR: No age-related differences in thermal strain were observed in either experiment indicating that active older men can tolerate short work periods with protective clothing in the heat as well as younger sedentary men.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to compare heat strain among different age groups of men in protective clothing during short-term physical work. Eight young (20-29 years), 6 middle-aged (41-55 years), and 6 older (58-65 years) men exercised for 30 min on a cycle ergometer (40% VO2 max)) in 2 hot environments with a similar WBGT (ca. 26 °C): once with minimal clothing without infrared radiation (E1), and once with aluminized protective clothing under infrared radiation (E2). All subjects had sedentary jobs, but only the older subjects were physically active in their leisure-time. Body temperatures, heart rate, sweat rate, and subjective feelings were determined during the tests. Higher thermal strain was observed in E2 than in E1. No age-related differences in thermal strain were observed in either experiment indicating that active older men can tolerate short work periods with protective clothing in the heat as well as younger sedentary men.
TL;DR: In this study, a survey instrument was developed to measure safety climate and the psychometric integrity of the survey was assessed according to validity, reliability and utility criteria.
Abstract: In this study, a survey instrument was developed to measure safety climate. A review of the scientific literature as well as consultation with an expert panel was used to determine the survey’s dimensions. Next, the survey was administered, first as a pilot study (n = 15) and then as a full scale study(n = 229), to employees of the City of Cincinnati Department of Public Works. The psychometric integrity of the survey was assessed according to validity, reliability and utility criteria. Results are presented and discussed.
TL;DR: It is found that after 6 months, the use of non-material incentives significantly improved on-time delivery and completion rates of a special inspection form and even though workers said that they preferred material incentives, their behavior was changed by the treatment (incentives).
Abstract: Safety literature confirms that incentives such as money or sunglasses seem to improve safety conditions over the short run. However, no studies could be found which tested the effect of incentives on fall protection for a period longer than a few days.In our research we found that after 6 months, the use of non-material incentives significantly improved on-time delivery and completion rates of a special inspection form (both p < .005). In addition, a questionnaire with embedded critical questions showed that even though workers said that they preferred material incentives, we conclude that their behavior was changed by the treatment (incentives). We further conclude that the use of natural reinforcers seems to influence worker behaviors and perception of management’s commitment to safety over the long run, even though workers still say that they prefer tangible rewards. Future work should replicate these findings and explore why workers respond to natural incentives but express a preference for material ...
TL;DR: The results showed that all dentists chose to work in a sitting posture and mostly worked without breaks between patients, and spent less time on dental examination and crown and bridge therapy tasks.
Abstract: Proprioceptive derivation (Pd), a new method of organising a dentist workstation as well as a working procedure, was introduced to Thailand. The aim of this study was to assess the working conditions and the attitude to Pd among experienced users. Questionnaires were distributed among 12 dentists. The results showed that all dentists chose to work in a sitting posture and mostly worked without breaks between patients. They spent less time on dental examination and crown and bridge therapy tasks. Solving problems in patients with physical limitations resulted in a low stress level. Seven dentists (58.3%) always used Pd and liked it. Five dentists (41.7%) sometimes used Pd, with 3 of them liking it. Only 2 dentists, who sometimes used Pd, did not like it because it could not cover all dental tasks and treatment, and it was difficult and complex.
TL;DR: The results did not support the much-cited view that the disintegration ofstandard employment has given rise to a new series of work environment problems, and working on a fixed-term basis increased the risk of physical strain at work.
Abstract: Relationships between employment type and the physical work environment were studied among blue-collar workers (n = 1,127). Based on survey data, we set out to compare the evaluations of environmental load and physical strain at work given by fixed-term (17% of all) and permanent workers. The type of employment was not related to environmental load. However, working on a fixed-term basis increased the risk of physical strain at work. Analyses revealed that this connection was evident only among fixed-term construction workers. The results did not support the much-cited view that the disintegration of standard employment has given rise to a new series of work environment problems. Such problems are concentrated in an area with a long tradition of work environment problems, that is, in the construction industry. fixed-term employment work environment working conditions construction work
TL;DR: Preliminary experiments aimed at standardizing speech intelligibility of military Callsign Acquisition Test (CAT) using average power levels of callsign items measured by the Root Mean Square (RMS) and maximum power levels (Peak) indicate that the CAT tests were more difficult than NU-6 and CID-W22.
Abstract: This paper reports on preliminary experiments aimed at standardizing speech intelligibility of military Callsign Acquisition Test (CAT) using average power levels of callsign items measured by the Root Mean Square (RMS) and maximum power levels of callsign items (Peak). The results obtained indicate that at a minimum sound pressure level (SPL) of 10.57 dBHL, the CAT tests were more difficult than NU-6 (Northwestern University, Auditory Test No. 6) and CID-W22 (Central Institute for the Deaf, Test W-22). At the maximum SPL values, the CAT tests reveal more intelligibility than NU-6 and CID-W22. The CAT-Peak test attained 95% intelligibility as NU-6 at 27.5 dBHL, and with CID-W22, 92.4% intelligibility at 27 dBHL. The CAT-RMS achieved 90% intelligibility when compared with NU-6, and 87% intelligibility score when compared with CID-W22; all at 24 dBHL.
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that energy generated by initial ignition of oil on the specimens triggers the FR mechanism of the treatment, which in turn inhibits further combustion and helps maintain the FR performance of the FR-treated blend.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to develop practical care procedures to help maintain the protective quality of flame resistant workwear laundered by workers in the field. Based on observed field conditions, experiments were conducted that simulated domestic laundry procedures. The first experiment involved two flame resistant (FR) fabrics, contaminated or not contaminated with oil. Independent variables also included detergent type and laundry pre-treatment. Other laundry parameters were controlled. Results indicated that it is easier to maintain the FR performance of the FR-treated blend than it is for the aramid fabric. It is hypothesized that energy generated by initial ignition of oil on the specimens triggers the FR mechanism of the treatment, which in turn inhibits further combustion. A second experiment using larger specimens and a domestic washing machine also supported the hypothesized mechanism.
TL;DR: The use of an INTEGRA CL 6-WELL bioreactor allows continuous culturing and exposure to test chemical of cells for several weeks, but the strong adhesiveness of fibroblast and forming aggregates make it difficult to remove them from chambers.
Abstract: Cytotoxicity of resorcinol to 3T3 fibroblast in short- (3 hrs) and long-term (72 hrs or 6 weeks) exposure was investigated. The effects of resorcinol on cell viability (neutral red uptake, NRU assay), mitochondrial function (MTT assay) and total cell protein (Kenacid Blue assay) were estimated. As a model for long-term exposure an INTEGRA CL 6-WELL bioreactor was used. The concentrations of resorcinol producing 20, 50 and 80% inhibition of cell growth in the NRU test were lower than in the MTT test after 3 hrs of exposure. The use of an INTEGRA CL 6-WELL bioreactor allows continuous culturing and exposure to test chemical of cellsforseveralweeks,butthestrongadhesivenessoffibroblastandformingaggregatesmakeitdifficultto remove them from chambers. Resorcinol in concentration of 1 ig/cm 3 did not decrease the viability of cells to 50% of control in long-term exposure in the bioreactor. resorcinol short-term toxicity long-term toxicity bioreactor in vitro methods
TL;DR: It is 29 times likely for workers to develop low back pain when they stand for 2-8 hrs a day than when they sit all the time, according to odds ratio results.
Abstract: This study looked into the risk factors to musculoskeletal disorders and established anthropometric measurements of Filipino workers in 29 manufacturing industries. Anthropometric measurements of 1,805 workers were taken, and 495 workers were surveyed. Limitation of motion was found in 0.8% of the respondents, affectation in activities of daily living was seen in 1.6% and 3.2% felt discomfort in the head and neck. Upper trunk and low back pain was experienced by 23.8%. Odds ratio results (p = .05) showed that it is 29 times likely for workers to develop low back pain when they stand for 2-8 hrs a day than when they sit all the time. Anthropometry can be used for the design of workstations and work furniture.
TL;DR: Cytotoxicity of 5 phenol derivatives was tested using a mouse 3T3 fibroblast cell line and showed that physicochemical properties of compounds seemed to have less influence on their cytotoxic potency than structural properties.
Abstract: Cytotoxicity of 5 phenol derivatives (phenol, catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone and phloroglucinol) was tested using a mouse 3T3 fibroblast cell line. Its relationships with structural and physicochemical properties were investigated. Linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to characterise the relationship between cytotoxicity (expressed by IC50 values) and physicochemical parameters of compounds or their toxicity in vivo expressed by LD50 values. The studies showed that physicochemical properties of compounds seemed to have less influence on their cytotoxic potency than structural properties. Cytotoxicity of the compounds probably depends on the number of –OH groups and their location in the aromatic ring more than on physicochemical properties of compounds. The best correlation was obtained for IC50 values and LD50 values determined following rabbit skin administration and experimental skin irritation score. phenol catechol resorcinol hydroquinone phloroglucinol cytotoxicity
TL;DR: A simpler Gravimetric method was developed, and tests were conducted to compare the gravimetric and GC methods of analysis, and there were differences in the percentage penetration between the 2 methods for formulations that were not homogeneous.
Abstract: Penetration of liquid pesticides through textile materials is a criterion for determining the performance of protective clothing used by pesticide handlers. The pipette method is frequently used to apply liquid pesticides onto textile materials to measure penetration. Typically, analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) are used to measure percentage penetration. These techniques are labor intensive and costly. A simpler gravimetric method was developed, and tests were conducted to compare the gravimetric and GC methods of analysis. Three types of pesticide formulations and 4 fabrics were used for the study. Diluted pesticide formulations were pipetted onto the test specimens and percentage penetration was measured using the 2 methods. For homogeneous formulation, the results of the 2 methods were fairly comparable. However, due to the filtering action of the textile materials, there were differences in the percentage penetration between the 2 methods for formulations that were not homogeneous.
TL;DR: The results obtained so far show that handhelds are adequate to support field risk assessment and follow-up activities, and further improvements must still be made in order to increase the tool effectiveness and field adequacy.
Abstract: A computerized handheld procedure is presented in this paper. It is intended as a database complementary tool, to enhance prospective risk analysis in the field of occupational health. The Pendragon forms software (version 3.2) has been used to implement acquisition procedures on Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and to transfer data to a computer in an MS-Access format. The data acquisition strategy proposed relies on the risk assessment method practiced at the Institute of Occupational Health Sciences (IST). It involves the use of a systematic hazard list and semi-quantitative risk assessment scales. A set of 7 modular forms has been developed to cover the basic need of field audits. Despite the minor drawbacks observed, the results obtained so far show that handhelds are adequate to support field risk assessment and follow-up activities. Further improvements must still be made in order to increase the tool effectiveness and field adequacy.
TL;DR: The effect of reach levels, horizontal angles and vertical angles on isometric pull and push strengths of males andfemales in standing and seated positions was determined and the strength value was significantly greater in the extreme reach than in maximum or normal reach.
Abstract: The effect of reach levels, horizontal angles and vertical angles on isometric pull and push strengths of males and females in standing and seated positions was determined. The effect of reach levels on strength varied as a consequence of force direction, working position and gender. Reach level has a significant effect on women's pull strength in the seated position and on push strength in the standing position. The strength value was significantly greater in the extreme reach than in maximum or normal reach. Vertical angle phi had a significant effect on strength consistently in all cases. Strength values increased significantly with the increase of phi angles from 0 degrees to 45 degrees to 90 degrees. The horizontal angle theta had a significant influence only on the pull strength of standing and seated men and standing women (not seated woman). The maximum strength was significantly greater at theta = 90 degrees.