Gender involvement in manual material handling (mmh) tasks in agriculture and technology intervention to mitigate the resulting musculoskeletal disorders

The lifting and carrying of loads in agriculture on small landholdings are unavoidable. Rural communities often lack access to appropriate technologies which may result in various health hazards. The objective was to study gender participation in agricultural activities involving manual material handling tasks, to assess MSDs experienced in various MMH tasks and to evaluate traditional method and designed technology. The study was conducted on 100 agricultural workers. Data on gender participation in MMH tasks in household, animal husbandry and agriculture and resulting MSDs was gathered. Pre and post assessment of technology intervention was done for NIOSH Lifting Index, QEC, and RPE. The results revealed greater susceptibility of females to musculoskeletal problems in most of the household and animal husbandry tasks. The hand trucks designed were pushing type with power grasp handle. The respondents were advised to carry 5 kg of weight per lift instead of lifting more weight in one lift/minute while filling the hand truck. By decreasing the weight and increasing the number of lifts per minute the respondents were seen falling in green zone indicating significant reduction in NIOSH lifting index. QEC scores concluded that for filling the hand truck 5 kg of weight should be carried to keep the exposure level low.     

Ergonomic assessment methodologies in manual handling of loads--opportunities in organizations

The present study was developed based on the analysis of workplaces in the engineering industry, particularly in automotive companies. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate the activities present in the workplace concerning manual handling, using assessment methodologies NIOSH Ergonomic Equation [1] and Manual Material Handling [2], present in ISO 11228 [3-4], and to consider the possibility of developing musculoskeletal injuries associated with these activities, an issue of great concern in all industrial sectors. Similarly, it was also shown the suitability of each method to the task concerned. The study was conducted in three steps. The first step was to collect images and information about the target tasks. As a second step proceeded to the analysis, determining the method to use and to evaluate activities. Finally, we found the results obtained and acted on accordingly. With the study observed situations considered urgent action, according to the methodologies used, and proceeded to develop solutions in order to solve the problems identified, eliminating and / or minimizing embarrassing situations and harmful to employees.     

Screening of risk from patient manual handling with MAPO method

International standards highlight the steps required by risk assessment and involving first hazard identification, then risk evaluation and finally, if necessary, risk assessment. To check approach appropriateness to "risk evaluation" from manual patient handling through MAPO, a cross study was carried out in view of checking relationship between this new risk assessment model and occurrence of acute low back pain. After proper training the MAPO screening method was assessed in 31 wards, 411 exposed subjects of geriatric hospitals. At the same time health data were collected on occurrence of low back pain episodes during the last year both in the exposed subjects' group and the external reference group (n?237). Risk and clinical assessment data were tutored and checked by EPM research unit. The logistic analysis was used as a method to evaluate the relationship between risk index and acute low back pain. Investigating relationship between acute low back pain episodes and levels of MAPO screening index, carried out only with the people exposed who claimed to work for at least 30 hours per week (n = 178), showed definitely positive trends. The study results indicate that MAPO screening may represent a useful tool to estimate the risk from manual handling patients.     

A practical approach to the assesment of manual handling equipment for cargo: multinational abrasives in Brazil

The Manual Handling of Loads is an activity present in virtually all production system, when developed without ergonomic principles of design and sizing can generate several instances of discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders. This work was carried out to measure, set limits and risks and guide specifications for the cargo handling carts in a specific company, tracing the anthropometric profile of the productive population and performing a quantitative evaluation of forces and design models of cars used in the company.     

Evaluation and redesign of manual material handling in a vaccine production centre's warehouse

This study was conducted in a warehouse at a vaccine production centre where improvement to existing storage and working conditions were sought through the construction of a new refrigerated store section (2-8C°). Warehousing tasks were videotaped and ergonomics analysis tools were used to assess the risk of developing MSDs. Specifically, these tools were the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and the NIOSH equation. The current plant layout was sketched and analyzed to find possible targets for improvement trough the application of general work space design and ergonomics principles. Seven of the eight postures evaluated with REBA had a total score between 8 and 10, meaning a high risk, and only one was at a medium risk level. Nine of the eleven manual material handling tasks analyzed with the NIOSH equation had a Lifting Index between 1.14 and 1.80 and two had a recommended weight limit of 0 kg, indicating a need for job redesign. Solutions included the redesign of shelves, the design of a two-step stair and a trolley with adjustable height; also, changes in work methods were proposed by introducing a two-workers lifting strategy and job rotation, and, finally, a restructuring of plant layout was completed.     

Impacts of introducing a new tool for the manual harvesting of sugar cane: the ergonomic analysis contribution

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of introduction a new work tool on health and productivity of manual harvesting sugarcane workers. In this study it was performed aErgonomic Work Analysis (EWA) to analyze the work tool changes.The study included sugarcane workers, drivers, fiscals, and technical's safety at work.During the analysis process, 134 questionnaires were applied,aimed to identify the constraints that such workers are submitted,to evaluate the tool introduced, in order to propose modifications to improve it.The results showed a decrease in perceived exertion and discomfort, without compromising the cut quality. The main contributions of Ergonomic Work Analysis were the possibility of bringing the logic of the worker, in order to understand the inherent real work characteristics, to the process of developing the new tool. Besides, it was also noted that this methodology, based on the analysis workers activity in a real usage, as an application tool in design projects, providing innovations from the workers perspective.     

Evaluation of objectivity, reliability and criterion validity of the key indicator method for manual handling operations (KIM-MHO), draft 2007

Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders are common in the working population. The economic and social impact of such disorders is considerable. Long-time, dynamic repetitive exposure of the hand-arm system during manual handling operations (MHO) alone or in combination with static and postural effort are recognised as causes of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. The assessment of these manual work tasks is crucial to estimate health risks of exposed employees. For these work tasks, a new method for the assessment of the working conditions was developed and a validation study was performed. The results suggest satisfying criterion validity and moderate objectivity of the KIM-MHO draft 2007. The method was modified and evaluated again. It is planned to release a new version of KIM-MHO in spring 2012.     

Learning manual handling without direct supervision or support: a case study of home care workers

How home care workers (HCWs) adapt their classroom training to their workplaces is central to their own safety and that of their care recipients. A case study approach was adopted for this inquiry into HCW training in Australia, where new workers were directly observed and interviewed in their workplaces following classroom training. Findings from the study advance four contributions: (a) learning is person-dependent, (b) artefacts in the form of written materials afford a valuable form of learning support; (c) opportunities for these workers to meet, share and refresh their knowledge are important for further development of occupational capacities; and (d) more organisational support for such socially isolated workers’ learning is needed.     

Comparison of the Rapid Entire Body Assessment and the New Zealand Manual Handling 'Hazard Control Record', for assessment of manual handling hazards in the supermarket industry

This is a case study comparing the use of two different assessment tools (Rapid Entire Body Assessment versus New Zealand Manual Handling Hazard Control Record) to assess, plan and implement changes in manual handling practices in the supermarket industry. Existing manual handling practices being used within these supermarkets were assessed using each of these tools. The most hazardous tasks were revised to improve work methods and reviewed again using both tools, to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of these tools. The process generated considerable discussion regarding the benefits and drawbacks of each tool. The usefulness of each tool appears dependant on the reason for assessment and the anticipated outcome. REBA may be more useful if specific ergonomic or biomechanical changes are being implemented to decrease risk of work-related injury (particularly if an objective numeric score is required for re-assessment following modifications, to determine their effectiveness). The New Zealand Code of Practice for Manual Handling 'Hazard Control Record' Risk Score analysis process lacks specificity and objectivity, however it is less reductionistic and takes into account many factors other than biomechanics and ergonomics. It directs the user toward implementing controls, which are thorough, multi-factorial and useful to control hazards relating to several other areas, including task, load, environment, people and management factors.     

Development of an assessment tool to evaluate the risk potential of different gambling types

Based on different characteristics of gambling types, this study aimed to develop an assessment tool to evaluate the risk potential of available and planned gambling types in German-speaking countries. In the first module, 26 experts were interviewed over the course of a Delphi study, and an analysis of those results led to the selection of relevant characteristics and scaling values. Building on the first module, the second module consisted of standardized data collection of nonproblem, problem and pathological gamblers (characteristics: n = 363; scales: n = 356), which served as an empirical validation. Ten characteristics were identified with different weights and differentiated scaling values to evaluate the risk potential, and a psychometric validation indicated that the assessment tool was reliable (α = 0.91; r _ik  = 0.50; r _it  = 0.33–0.80). The correlation measures from data of epidemiological studies (R ² = 0.84) and a treatment survey (p < 0.001) demonstrated that the assessment tool was valid. This assessment tool, which was verified by psychometric validation, can serve the legislation and jurisdiction, the gaming industry and consumers as a future basis for risk evaluation of gambling types.     

加强总体规划实施的方法与途径初探

一、总体规划实施中存在的问题 1980年以来．规划界从未停止过对总体规划的编制与实施进行反思与改进．在1999年10月的“全国部分城市总体规划实施研讨会”上．建设部副部长赵宝江就曾明确指出．应切实做好总体规划的实施工作。但目前规划的时效却越来越短．效果越来越差．总体规划实施难的问题仍然普遍存在。     

Evaluating the iterative development of VR/AR human factors tools for manual work

This paper outlines the approach taken to iteratively evaluate a set of VR/AR (virtual reality / augmented reality) applications for five different manual-work applications - terrestrial spacecraft assembly, assembly-line design, remote maintenance of trains, maintenance of nuclear reactors, and large-machine assembly process design - and examines the evaluation data for evidence of the effectiveness of the evaluation framework as well as the benefits to the development process of feedback from iterative evaluation. ManuVAR is an EU-funded research project that is working to develop an innovative technology platform and a framework to support high-value, high-knowledge manual work throughout the product lifecycle. The results of this study demonstrate the iterative improvements reached throughout the design cycles, observable through the trending of the quantitative results from three successive trials of the applications and the investigation of the qualitative interview findings. The paper discusses the limitations of evaluation in complex, multi-disciplinary development projects and finds evidence of the effectiveness of the use of the particular set of complementary evaluation methods incorporating a common inquiry structure used for the evaluation - particularly in facilitating triangulation of the data.     

提高城市整体效益途径探索

提高城市经济、环境、社会整体效益有多种渠道,但调整城市系统结构,提高城市系统效益,以科技进步为先导,在城市经济生活中开源以及在社会生产、流通、交换、消费等各个领域节流,都不失为针对性强、效果显著的途径.     

The tasks ahead of the ILO at its centenary

The principles that define the normative missions of the ILO – as set out in its Constitution and in the Declaration of Philadelphia – have lost none of their value or relevance. The circumstances in which those missions are carried out have, however, changed profoundly. The global organization of labour is currently witnessing major technical, environmental and institutional upheavals which, in turn, pose legal challenges for the ILO in each of these areas. The ILO's answer to these challenges should be based on three principles whose implementation is encompassed by its constitutional mandate: the principles of solidarity, economic democracy and social and environmental responsibility.     

Ergonomic evaluation of novel tool for snap-off the neck of ampoule

Needlestick and Sharps Injuries (NSI) represent an important workplace issue in contemporary health care. Present study provided the new method to snap-off the neck of sealed ampoule. The idea of novel opener tool is prepare the grinding slice inside rubber ring, so users could put the ampoule inside the rubber ring and then rotated the rubber ring to snap-off the neck of ampoule. The purpose of present study was evaluated the methods of snap-off and sizes of ampoule on forearm muscle activities, wrist postures and performance. The pronator teres muscle were heavier load as increased the sizes of ampoule. For performance analysis, Duncan's multiple range tests indicated that time of snap-off were longer in 10 ml and 20 ml of ampoule. The EMG of pronator teres muscle was significantly affected by methods of snap-off. Duncan's multiple range tests indicated that lower load was experienced on forearm muscles while using grinding slice with glove. For wrist posture, the ranges of motion for wrist were significant lower while using the novel tool. Present study provided the novel tool effectively to snap-off the ampoule to decrease forearm workload and sharp injuries.     

企业经济效益综合评价体系综述

企业经济效益是指企业经营管理活动中投入与产出的比较关系。对企业经济效益进行综合评价是企业诊断的核心内容,一直是国内外企业管理界关注的热点。国外企业经济效益综合评价的特点(一)企业经济效益综合评价呈多元化发展趋势20世纪50年代以来,世界各主要工业化国家的企业管理界都纷纷构建适应本国企业发展特征的经济效益的综合评价体系。如美国专家分别建立了财务评价的单变模型和多变模型;英国建立了A、B、C、D四个等级的企业绩效评价体系;德国建立以资金流动为中心的评价体系;韩国建立以共有经济的经营目标为中心的评价体系。(二)形成…