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Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety III
ABSTRACTS
body support for the workers when performing tasks in a less than optimal position. The workseat allows the workers to perform their tasks in semireclined positions instead of the normal standing overhead position. A prototype of this workseat was produced and evaluated both objectively and subjectively. 23.5.38 (125889) Fernandez, J E, Dahalan, J B, Klein, M G and Kim, C H 'Effect of handle diameter on maximum wrist flexion and extension' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds)
Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety III Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 351-357 (12 refs) An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different tool handle diameters on maximum wrist flexion and extension in the transverse plane, and the effect of these deviated wrist angles on grip strength. Results indicated that handle diameter had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on maximum wrist flexion but not maximum extension. It was also determined that an increase in handle diameter caused an increase in the maximum wrist flexion, but at a lower grip strength. 23.5.39 (125891) Strasser, H 'Different grips of screwdrivers evaluated by means of measuring maximum torque, subjective rating and by registering electromyographic data during static and dynamic test work' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds)
Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety II1 Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 413-420 (8 refs) When assessing hand-held tools from an ergonomics point of view, not only operational data, e.g. the torque exerted with a screwdriver, but also physiological cost during work has to be regarded. For this reason maximum torque was measured, different levels of static performance were demanded and dynamic work was simulated. Simultaneously, electromyographic activity (EA) from muscles involved in screwdriving were recorded. Five subjects worked with seven screwdrivers, differing in the grips but with the same dimensions of the blade. Maximum torque varied essentially between the types, whereas physiological cost of the grip musculature and the biceps was almost at the same level. During submaximum static and dynamic work EA showed that ergonomically designed grips reduce muscular load to a more favourable level. Subjective assessment differed dearly between the grips.
Vol 23 No 5 O c t o b e r 1992
Environment 23.5.40 (125894) Mital, A, Ayer, L and Gorman, J 'A lighting evaluation of a facility for the elderly' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds) Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety III Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 675-681 (7 refs) A residential facility for the aged was evaluated for their illumination needs. Only the shared facility and grounds immediately surrounding it were considered. The facility is considered one of the most modern and the lighting design is its best feature. The age of residents ranges from 60 to 85 years. The lighting evaluation included administering a lighting questionnaire and measurement of actual light levels in the various parts of the facility during the day and after dark hours. The results indicated that lighting in approximately half the areas surveyed was substandard. An attempt to develop recommendations for the lighting needs of the elderly was unsuccessful. 23.5.41 (125911) Hanssou, T, Magnusson, M and Broman, H 'Back muscle fatigue and seated whole body vibrations: an experimental study in man' Clin Biomech Vol 6 No 3 (1991) pp 173--178 (39 refs) The electromyography of the erector spinae muscles was studied in the thoracic and lumbar spines of six male subjects when seated in a forwardly bent position (20*) and whilst carrying extra weight (4 kg) on the front of the chest. The electromyographic responses were compared whilst the volunteers were (a) seated in this position and exposed to whole body vibrations of 5 Hz and 0.2 g acceleration; (b) seated in this position without vibration exposure. Each test period lasted 5 min. Vibration exposure increased both the speed and the amount of the development of erector spinae fatigue. 23.5.42 (125922) Armstrong, L E, Szylk, P C, Sils, I V, De Luca, J P, O'Brien, C and Hubbard, RW 'Prediction of the exercise-heat tolerance of soldiers wearing protective overgarments' Aviat Space Environ Med Vol 62 No 7 (1991) pp 673--677 (26 refs) The purpose of this investigation was to see whether subject characteristics and physiological measurements predicted exercise-heat tolerance (EHT) and voluntary tolerance time in young soldiers. A total of 18 unacclimatized
males attempted six 50 min periods of treadmill walking (4.0 km/h, 0% grade, 33°C db, 20% rh) while wearing protective overgarments. Two post hoc groups of soldiers were defined: high E H T (H) and low (EHT) (L), having mean (+SE) tolerance times of 360 _+ 0 and 222 + 12 rain, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) H vs L differences were observed in pre-trial body mass, percent fat, and mass-to-surface area ratio (M/ SA), as well as 170 min HR, Tsk and heat storage. The first three of these factors indicated that pre-exercise anthropometric characteristics may be used to distinguish H from L. The HR and Tsk differences were interpreted to mean that L experienced greater cardiovascular strain in protective overgarments because of a higher Tsk, which resulted in increased pooling of blood in cutaneous vessels, decreased cardiac filling pressure, and increased fatigue. Because HR variables were the strongest correlates of exercise tolerance time (re -- 0.60 for HR at 170 min, re = 0.83 for time to reach HR of 160 beats/min) a novel HR monitoring technique was proposed which uses a wristmounted cardiotachometer to predict tolerance time.
System characteristics 23.5.43 (125942) Hicks, R and Essinger, J
Making computers more human: designing for human-computer interaction Elsevier Advanced Technology, Oxford (1991) 157 pp (117 refs) The book has five chapters and three appendices, followed by a bibliography. Chapter 1, 'Making the user interface paramount', is a general introduction to the subject of designing for humancomputer interaction. Chapter 2, 'It probably won a prize', is a critical review of Donald A Norman's seminal book The psychology of everyday things. Chapter 3, 'User interface design: a conceptual approach' is a detailed account of the latest thinking on designing for human-computer interaction. Chapter 4, 'A case study in the application of visual design to a user interface', is a detailed case study, with illustrations of how interface design and visual design was applied to a particular computer system successfully. Chapter 5, 'User interface design guidelines', details the practical guidelines for good user interface design which AIT has found to be most useful. Appendix 1 is an article, 'User-tailorable systems', contributed by Rank Xerox EuroPARC. Appendix 2 consists of an article, 'Integrating human factors', by Dermot Browne of Peat Marwick. Appendix 3, 'A user interface tour of
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body support for the workers when performing tasks in a less than optimal position. The workseat allows the workers to perform their tasks in semireclined positions instead of the normal standing overhead position. A prototype of this workseat was produced and evaluated both objectively and subjectively. 23.5.38 (125889) Fernandez, J E, Dahalan, J B, Klein, M G and Kim, C H 'Effect of handle diameter on maximum wrist flexion and extension' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds)
Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety III Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 351-357 (12 refs) An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different tool handle diameters on maximum wrist flexion and extension in the transverse plane, and the effect of these deviated wrist angles on grip strength. Results indicated that handle diameter had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on maximum wrist flexion but not maximum extension. It was also determined that an increase in handle diameter caused an increase in the maximum wrist flexion, but at a lower grip strength. 23.5.39 (125891) Strasser, H 'Different grips of screwdrivers evaluated by means of measuring maximum torque, subjective rating and by registering electromyographic data during static and dynamic test work' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds)
Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety II1 Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 413-420 (8 refs) When assessing hand-held tools from an ergonomics point of view, not only operational data, e.g. the torque exerted with a screwdriver, but also physiological cost during work has to be regarded. For this reason maximum torque was measured, different levels of static performance were demanded and dynamic work was simulated. Simultaneously, electromyographic activity (EA) from muscles involved in screwdriving were recorded. Five subjects worked with seven screwdrivers, differing in the grips but with the same dimensions of the blade. Maximum torque varied essentially between the types, whereas physiological cost of the grip musculature and the biceps was almost at the same level. During submaximum static and dynamic work EA showed that ergonomically designed grips reduce muscular load to a more favourable level. Subjective assessment differed dearly between the grips.
Vol 23 No 5 O c t o b e r 1992
Environment 23.5.40 (125894) Mital, A, Ayer, L and Gorman, J 'A lighting evaluation of a facility for the elderly' in Karwowski, W and Yates, J W (eds) Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety III Taylor & Francis, London (1991) pp 675-681 (7 refs) A residential facility for the aged was evaluated for their illumination needs. Only the shared facility and grounds immediately surrounding it were considered. The facility is considered one of the most modern and the lighting design is its best feature. The age of residents ranges from 60 to 85 years. The lighting evaluation included administering a lighting questionnaire and measurement of actual light levels in the various parts of the facility during the day and after dark hours. The results indicated that lighting in approximately half the areas surveyed was substandard. An attempt to develop recommendations for the lighting needs of the elderly was unsuccessful. 23.5.41 (125911) Hanssou, T, Magnusson, M and Broman, H 'Back muscle fatigue and seated whole body vibrations: an experimental study in man' Clin Biomech Vol 6 No 3 (1991) pp 173--178 (39 refs) The electromyography of the erector spinae muscles was studied in the thoracic and lumbar spines of six male subjects when seated in a forwardly bent position (20*) and whilst carrying extra weight (4 kg) on the front of the chest. The electromyographic responses were compared whilst the volunteers were (a) seated in this position and exposed to whole body vibrations of 5 Hz and 0.2 g acceleration; (b) seated in this position without vibration exposure. Each test period lasted 5 min. Vibration exposure increased both the speed and the amount of the development of erector spinae fatigue. 23.5.42 (125922) Armstrong, L E, Szylk, P C, Sils, I V, De Luca, J P, O'Brien, C and Hubbard, RW 'Prediction of the exercise-heat tolerance of soldiers wearing protective overgarments' Aviat Space Environ Med Vol 62 No 7 (1991) pp 673--677 (26 refs) The purpose of this investigation was to see whether subject characteristics and physiological measurements predicted exercise-heat tolerance (EHT) and voluntary tolerance time in young soldiers. A total of 18 unacclimatized
males attempted six 50 min periods of treadmill walking (4.0 km/h, 0% grade, 33°C db, 20% rh) while wearing protective overgarments. Two post hoc groups of soldiers were defined: high E H T (H) and low (EHT) (L), having mean (+SE) tolerance times of 360 _+ 0 and 222 + 12 rain, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) H vs L differences were observed in pre-trial body mass, percent fat, and mass-to-surface area ratio (M/ SA), as well as 170 min HR, Tsk and heat storage. The first three of these factors indicated that pre-exercise anthropometric characteristics may be used to distinguish H from L. The HR and Tsk differences were interpreted to mean that L experienced greater cardiovascular strain in protective overgarments because of a higher Tsk, which resulted in increased pooling of blood in cutaneous vessels, decreased cardiac filling pressure, and increased fatigue. Because HR variables were the strongest correlates of exercise tolerance time (re -- 0.60 for HR at 170 min, re = 0.83 for time to reach HR of 160 beats/min) a novel HR monitoring technique was proposed which uses a wristmounted cardiotachometer to predict tolerance time.
System characteristics 23.5.43 (125942) Hicks, R and Essinger, J
Making computers more human: designing for human-computer interaction Elsevier Advanced Technology, Oxford (1991) 157 pp (117 refs) The book has five chapters and three appendices, followed by a bibliography. Chapter 1, 'Making the user interface paramount', is a general introduction to the subject of designing for humancomputer interaction. Chapter 2, 'It probably won a prize', is a critical review of Donald A Norman's seminal book The psychology of everyday things. Chapter 3, 'User interface design: a conceptual approach' is a detailed account of the latest thinking on designing for human-computer interaction. Chapter 4, 'A case study in the application of visual design to a user interface', is a detailed case study, with illustrations of how interface design and visual design was applied to a particular computer system successfully. Chapter 5, 'User interface design guidelines', details the practical guidelines for good user interface design which AIT has found to be most useful. Appendix 1 is an article, 'User-tailorable systems', contributed by Rank Xerox EuroPARC. Appendix 2 consists of an article, 'Integrating human factors', by Dermot Browne of Peat Marwick. Appendix 3, 'A user interface tour of
355