- Email: [email protected]
An investigation of materials handling problems at a Norwegian industrial company
Ergonomics in Action - F r o m Theory to Practice, Proceedings of the Joint IEA/NES Conference, Oslo, 2 0 - 2 2 Aug 1980, 4 pp.
between firemen and full-time female operators may be due to a variation in the adaptive functions of the two sexes.
The usefulness of the relationship between ergonomics and occupational and social medicine is evident especially in highly automated systemsas, eg, traffic control systems. The stress and strain to which air traffic controllers are exposed is well known. The consequences of it are poor job satisfaction, low level of subjective well-being, turn-over. On the basis of investigations made in this field symptoms of (a) fatigue and pain localised in back muscles and of back stiffness, due to the physical static load stemming from the permanent sitting posture, (b) a certain degree of weakening of the CNS due to the continual emotional stress and mental strain stemming both from objective andsubjective matters, were revealed. With respect to existing work conditions in ATC systems, it is difficult for ergonomists to accomplish such changes to reduce some noxious agents to a minimum level. The classical procedures such as selection, training and integration of human and technical factors do not seem at this stage of technical development to be fully efficient. A more convenient approach is to be found in compensating for the negative influences of physical and mental load and in supporting the resistance of controllers to stress and mental and physical load. Experiences in this area are discussed suggesting that future improvement is possible through preventive rehabilitation care and training in suitable behavioural patterns.
13.1.12 (80639) Viner, D.B.L. Accidents and workload factors in agricultural flying operations. In: 'Human Factors and the Quality of Life', Proceedings of the 16th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2 9 - 3 0 Nov, 1979, Edited by G. Devereux, pp 6 9 - 8 4 .
13.1.11 (80633)
Kalimo, R. et al Psychological and biochemical strain in firemen's work. Scandinavian Journal o f Work, Environment and Health, Sep 1980, 6.3, 1 7 9 - 1 8 7 . Mental load and strain in the work of firemen and fire alarm centre operators were studied in a group of 260 firemen and six female full-time operators from three fire brigades. The firemen proved to be satisfied with their work, and signs of chronic psychological problems were uncommon. Situational work load and related strain may, however, be extreme during active operations. A large proportion (42%) of the firemen suffered from strain after the 24 h long daily work period. Those who had recently worked as paramedics in the ambulance service or in the alarm centre were under more strain than ordinary fire fighters. Biochemical stress indicators revealed a high activation of firemen at the alarm centre. The difference found
The commercial pressures on aerial agricultural operations include a very peaky and variable demand profile, one consequence of which is pressure on the pilot to work long hours and long weeks. Recognition of the potentially adverse effects of fatigue under these circumstances has resulted in flying hour limitations by regulation. A study has been made of agricultural pilot workload factors in conjunction with pilot heart rate records in an attempt to reach a better understanding of the pilot's response to his task. Heart rate measurements are reported which demonstrate both task influence and possible fatigue effects. A preliminary analysis indicates the importance of workload related effects in a high proportion of serious accidents to agricultural aircraft.
Physiology, anthropometry and biomechanics 13.1.13 (80680) Morrissey, S.J., et al Anthropometry and strength characteristics of low coal miners with respect to sex and age. In: Human Factors: Science for Working and Living, Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Los Angeles, Oct 1980, Edited by G.E. Corrick et al, pp 4 3 4 - 4 3 7 . A battery of general anthropometric measures and selected isometric strength measures have been made on a sample of male and female low coal miners in the United States (low coal refers to coal mines in which the coal seam and, thus, tunnel heights are less than 48 in (1220 mm). In comparison to selected military and civilian anthropometric surveys, both the male and female low coal miners showed significantly greater standing leg strengths than the reference population. These differences can be attributed to the occupational and postural demands present in low coal mining.
13.1.14 (80693)
Ridd, J.E., and Davis, P.R. An investigation of materials handling problems at a Norwegian industrial company. In: Ergonomics in Action F r o m Theory to Practice, Proceedings of the Joint IEA/NES Conference, Oslo, 2 0 - 2 2 Aug 1980, 5 pp. Work-environment organisations have been established within Standard Telephon og Kabelfabrick A/S to monitor new and existing work situations. One particular result of this work was the identification of a department with a particularly high incidence of musculo-skeletal problems. Six hundred of the company's 3500 staff work in the cable manufacturing plant and an analysis of the available records for this group showed both that the occurrence of musculoskeletal disease ranked alongside that of infections and bronchial complaints, and also that the average work absence resulting from musculo-skeletal problems was, by far, the longest of all the diagnoses. Further, cable drum handling was implicated in 30% of these accidents and injuries. In light of this evidence the Materials Handling Research Unit was asked b y the work environment organisation to carry out a study of the materials handling problems within the cable manufacturing plant and in particular to investigate cable drum handling. The aim of the study was to identify any stressful procedures and to recommend ways of alleviating that stress and so reduce the number of days lost from musculoskeletal problems. 13.1.15 (80705) Lovested, G.E. Reducing warehousing material handling strains. In: Human Factors: Science for Working and Living, Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Los Angeles, Oct 1980, Edited by G.E. Corrick et al, pp 6 3 5 654. A study was undertaken to determine the effect introducing redesigned wood pallet boxes in a warehousing operation would have on back strains. The new pallet boxes had been redesigned to provide warehouse pickers a better posture to lift parts out of pallet boxes when they were less than half full. A year after the introduction, the lifting strain incidence rate involving pallet boxes decreased by 67"7%. 13.1.16 (80707) Sjoflot, L. Means of improving tractor drivers' working posture. In: Ergonomics in Action - From Theory to Practice, Proceedings of the Joint IEA/NES Conference, Oslo, 2 0 - 2 2 Aug 1980, 14 pp.
Applied Ergonomics
March 1982
67
between firemen and full-time female operators may be due to a variation in the adaptive functions of the two sexes.
The usefulness of the relationship between ergonomics and occupational and social medicine is evident especially in highly automated systemsas, eg, traffic control systems. The stress and strain to which air traffic controllers are exposed is well known. The consequences of it are poor job satisfaction, low level of subjective well-being, turn-over. On the basis of investigations made in this field symptoms of (a) fatigue and pain localised in back muscles and of back stiffness, due to the physical static load stemming from the permanent sitting posture, (b) a certain degree of weakening of the CNS due to the continual emotional stress and mental strain stemming both from objective andsubjective matters, were revealed. With respect to existing work conditions in ATC systems, it is difficult for ergonomists to accomplish such changes to reduce some noxious agents to a minimum level. The classical procedures such as selection, training and integration of human and technical factors do not seem at this stage of technical development to be fully efficient. A more convenient approach is to be found in compensating for the negative influences of physical and mental load and in supporting the resistance of controllers to stress and mental and physical load. Experiences in this area are discussed suggesting that future improvement is possible through preventive rehabilitation care and training in suitable behavioural patterns.
13.1.12 (80639) Viner, D.B.L. Accidents and workload factors in agricultural flying operations. In: 'Human Factors and the Quality of Life', Proceedings of the 16th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2 9 - 3 0 Nov, 1979, Edited by G. Devereux, pp 6 9 - 8 4 .
13.1.11 (80633)
Kalimo, R. et al Psychological and biochemical strain in firemen's work. Scandinavian Journal o f Work, Environment and Health, Sep 1980, 6.3, 1 7 9 - 1 8 7 . Mental load and strain in the work of firemen and fire alarm centre operators were studied in a group of 260 firemen and six female full-time operators from three fire brigades. The firemen proved to be satisfied with their work, and signs of chronic psychological problems were uncommon. Situational work load and related strain may, however, be extreme during active operations. A large proportion (42%) of the firemen suffered from strain after the 24 h long daily work period. Those who had recently worked as paramedics in the ambulance service or in the alarm centre were under more strain than ordinary fire fighters. Biochemical stress indicators revealed a high activation of firemen at the alarm centre. The difference found
The commercial pressures on aerial agricultural operations include a very peaky and variable demand profile, one consequence of which is pressure on the pilot to work long hours and long weeks. Recognition of the potentially adverse effects of fatigue under these circumstances has resulted in flying hour limitations by regulation. A study has been made of agricultural pilot workload factors in conjunction with pilot heart rate records in an attempt to reach a better understanding of the pilot's response to his task. Heart rate measurements are reported which demonstrate both task influence and possible fatigue effects. A preliminary analysis indicates the importance of workload related effects in a high proportion of serious accidents to agricultural aircraft.
Physiology, anthropometry and biomechanics 13.1.13 (80680) Morrissey, S.J., et al Anthropometry and strength characteristics of low coal miners with respect to sex and age. In: Human Factors: Science for Working and Living, Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Los Angeles, Oct 1980, Edited by G.E. Corrick et al, pp 4 3 4 - 4 3 7 . A battery of general anthropometric measures and selected isometric strength measures have been made on a sample of male and female low coal miners in the United States (low coal refers to coal mines in which the coal seam and, thus, tunnel heights are less than 48 in (1220 mm). In comparison to selected military and civilian anthropometric surveys, both the male and female low coal miners showed significantly greater standing leg strengths than the reference population. These differences can be attributed to the occupational and postural demands present in low coal mining.
13.1.14 (80693)
Ridd, J.E., and Davis, P.R. An investigation of materials handling problems at a Norwegian industrial company. In: Ergonomics in Action F r o m Theory to Practice, Proceedings of the Joint IEA/NES Conference, Oslo, 2 0 - 2 2 Aug 1980, 5 pp. Work-environment organisations have been established within Standard Telephon og Kabelfabrick A/S to monitor new and existing work situations. One particular result of this work was the identification of a department with a particularly high incidence of musculo-skeletal problems. Six hundred of the company's 3500 staff work in the cable manufacturing plant and an analysis of the available records for this group showed both that the occurrence of musculoskeletal disease ranked alongside that of infections and bronchial complaints, and also that the average work absence resulting from musculo-skeletal problems was, by far, the longest of all the diagnoses. Further, cable drum handling was implicated in 30% of these accidents and injuries. In light of this evidence the Materials Handling Research Unit was asked b y the work environment organisation to carry out a study of the materials handling problems within the cable manufacturing plant and in particular to investigate cable drum handling. The aim of the study was to identify any stressful procedures and to recommend ways of alleviating that stress and so reduce the number of days lost from musculoskeletal problems. 13.1.15 (80705) Lovested, G.E. Reducing warehousing material handling strains. In: Human Factors: Science for Working and Living, Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Los Angeles, Oct 1980, Edited by G.E. Corrick et al, pp 6 3 5 654. A study was undertaken to determine the effect introducing redesigned wood pallet boxes in a warehousing operation would have on back strains. The new pallet boxes had been redesigned to provide warehouse pickers a better posture to lift parts out of pallet boxes when they were less than half full. A year after the introduction, the lifting strain incidence rate involving pallet boxes decreased by 67"7%. 13.1.16 (80707) Sjoflot, L. Means of improving tractor drivers' working posture. In: Ergonomics in Action - From Theory to Practice, Proceedings of the Joint IEA/NES Conference, Oslo, 2 0 - 2 2 Aug 1980, 14 pp.
Applied Ergonomics
March 1982
67