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Computerised system for the prediction of final adult height (Computerizzozione dei Sistemi per la Predizione della Statura Adulta: Possibilita e Prospettive di un Servizio Diagnostico). (in Italian)
14.3.12 (83831)
Kember, P., Ainsworth, L., and Brightman, P. A hand anthropometric survey of British workers. Cranfield Institute of Technology, Ergonomics Laboratory, Cranfield, Beds, 1981, 129 pp. 14.3.13 (83835)
Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, London. Adult heights and weights survey. OPCSMonitor, No SS 81/1, 1981, 10 pp. This Monitor is the first in a new series of Social Survey Monitors which will publicise the main results of recent surveys carried out by OPCS. This particular Monitor presents some information on the heights and weights of the adult population of Great Britain aged 16-64 inclusive. The results come from a survey conducted in 1980 in which some 10000 adults from 5000 households were weighed and measured in their own homes. This is the first such survey in BritaL'i to be based on a representative sample of households. People were weighed wearing only lightweight summer clothes and an allowance was made for their clothing to approximate nude weight. They were measured without shoes. Since the heights and weights of men and women are so different they are always shown separately in the results. 14.3.14 (83838)
Elias, R. et al Ergonomic study of the work of supermarket checkout girls (Etude Ergonomique du Poste de Travail de Caissi~re de Libre-Service). (In French.)
Cahters de Notes Documentaires Securit# et Hygiene du Travail, 1981, No 103, 211-220; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 81-1754). A work study of 88 female checkout employees was carried out in a French supermarket: motion and stress study; biomechanics analysis; questionnaire survey of discomfort factors; physiological study of workload. The results revealed considerable stress factors linked to work postures, to working environment (cold, draughts, lighting conditions) and speed of work imposed. Measures proposed to improve working conditions: better organisation of shifts and rest breaks, standardisation of workplace design, layout and equipment (general recommendations, seat, footrest, keyboard, cash register). 14.3.15 (83846)
Undeutsch, K. et al Back complaints and findings in transport workers performing physically
222
heavy work. Scandinavian Journal o f Work, Environment & Health, 1982, 8. Supplement 1, 92-96. Transport work at an airport promotes the appearance of back diseases because of the lifting, carrying, pulling and pushing of loads in limited spaces. To clarify the nature of back disorders in such a group, a standardised interview for detecting subjective previous and present back symptoms was made of 366 transport workers, and 134 were given a clinical orthopedic examination for detecting objective findings. 66% of the interviewed workers reported current back symptoms; these symptoms correlated significantly positively with height, age, and length of transport work experience. 83% of the workers with present back symptoms also complained of former back pain. Validity tests between the interview and the clinical examination showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 31%. The results of the study suggest (i) that according to the high sensitivity the used interview is a valuable screening method for detecting back disorders, and (ii) that selection of workers according to the criteria of the results may be expected to lower the prevalence of back complaints. 14.3.16 (83860)
Hunting, W., Laubli, Th., and Grandjean, E. Postural and visual loads at VDT workplaces I. Constrained postures. Ergonomics, 1981, 24.12, 917-931. In a field study of 162 VDT and 133 control workplaces it was found that constrained postures of VDT workplaces and in full-time typists were sometimes associated with physical impairments in the hands, arms, shoulders and neck. The reported complaints were confirmed by medical findings on muscles, tendons and joints. The incidence of impairments was increased when the distance from the surface of the keyboards to the desk surface was large; the height of the keyboard from the floor was low; there was insufficient space to rest the forearms and hands; the lateral deviation of the hands operating keyboards was great; and there was a pronounced inclination or turning of the head. Several recommendations for the proper design of VDT workstations are deduced from the present study. 14.3.17 (83867) Vihma, T., Nurminen, M., and
Mutanen, P. Sewing-machine operators' work and museulo-skeletal complaints. Ergonomics, 1982, 25.4, 295-298.
AppliedErgonomics September1983
The purpose of the study was to obtain information about the possible occupational origin of the high occurrence of musculo-skeletal (rheumatic) complaints among sewingmachine operators. The subjects were chosen by random sampling and comprised 40 sewing-machine operators with short work cycles (30-60s) and 20 seamstresses as the reference group. The two groups were matched with respect to age and length of service. A survey of working postures showed that the sewing-machine operators' work was more static. Musculo-skeletal complaints occurred more frequently among the sewing-machine operators. especially in the neck and shoulders (p < O'OO1). It is concluded that the occupational change from seamstresses' work to sewing-machine operators' work is associated with an increase in the occurrence of musculo-skeletal complaints, 14.3.18 (84132) Segu, A. Computerised system for the prediction of final adult height (Computerizzozione dei Sistemi per la Predizione della Statura Adulta: Possibilita e Prospettive di un Servizio Diagnostico). (In Italian.) Acta Medica Auxologica, 1981, 13.1, 43-61. Besides clinical examination and comparison of height and weight with appropriate standards, the assessment of bone maturation and the prediction of final adult height are important tools for evaluating somatic development of a child. After a historical introduction, the classic and most widely used as well as the most advanced methods of bone age estimation and height prediction are presented and a novel automated system of evaluation is described. Based on generally accepted principles of developmental biology, an original, computerised system has been devised and set up with the name of TGE (Theoretical Growth Evaluation); it will be made available to physicians m Italy, Germany and the United States. In this system, bone age is estimated according to Greufieh and Pyle and to Tanner et at With this and several other input data (date of birth and of examination, height, weight, parental height, menarche in girls), the computer program will compare actual growth data with up-to-date longitudinal standards, will calculate height predictions according to Bayley-Pinneau, Roche-Wainer-Thissen, and Tanner et al, and will compare these predictions with target height as an expression of genetic potential. Depending on various possible constellations, the program will then automatically select the most
appropriate set, out of 22 diagnostic messages and warnings. This system has been designed to be useful to two groups of physicians: (1) as a diagnostic aid to general practitioners and busy pediatricians not familiar with these complex methods of calculation, and (2) as a device, which saves time and repetitive calculations to specialised pediatric endocrinologists. 14.3.19 (84151)
Patterson, P.E., and Gabbard, C. Hydraulic transducer for assessing grip strength. Human Factors, 1982, 24.2, 245-247. An instrument for assessing grip strength and endurance is described. The instrument provides an alternative type of measurement, as compared with conventional dynamometers (e g, lever action dynamometers). It may be particularly useful for assessing the capabilities of handicapped workers.
Visual displays 14.3.20 (83894)
Cook, J.F., Moss, W.D., and Crawshaw, C.M. An evaluation of a radar display showing target aspect in colour. Journal of Navigation, 1982, 35.2, 339-348. An experiment is described in which colour-coded information concerning the aspect of target ships was provided in addition to a relative-motion radar display. This was compared with the normal relative-motion display alone, while a third condition used the normal true-motion display alone. The performance of 21 experienced seafarers on six exercises was assessed by five expert judges as an index of display effectiveness. The method of evaluation was found useful and practical, while user reports were shown to be inappropriate. No overall difference between the three displays was found; the reasons for this are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that training is required to gain the benefit of colour in a display. 14.3.21 (83895)
Cole, B.L., and Jacobs, R.J. A comparison of alternative symbolic warning signs for railway level crossings. Australian Road Research, 1981, 11.4, 37-45. Most level crossings have light traffic and good accident records and the only protection that can be justified in cost benefit terms is a system of warning signs. The Australian standard specifies a warning sign using the 'cross bucks' symbol which might not be correctly interpreted and might also be
confused with the crossroads warning sign. Wigglesworth, in a review of level crossing protection for the Ministry of Transport, Victoria, recommended the adoption of a train symbol. The UN protocol symbol is a steam train but steam trains are no longer used on scheduled railway services. However, a diesel train symbol does not have distinctive features easily adaptable to symbolic representation and such a symbol might not have an adequate legibility distance. This paper compares the two Australian Standard railway warning signs, a steam train symbol and two diesel train symbols. The criteria for evaluation are interpretability and legibility distance. Consideration is also given to what are the community stereotypes for a railway warning sign. It is concluded that the steam train symbol remains a community stereotype despite the rarity of steam trains, is likely to be correctly interpreted and has a long legibility distance.
This paper seeks to develop a heuristic that can be used by form designers during the design process. This heuristic is based on an analysis of the interaction between the form and those who use it (i e, complete it or administer it). The interaction is analysed in terms of the cognitive processes involved in dealing with the form (perception, memory, decision making, etc). This analysis also provides a framework for interpreting the available research literature. Detailed consideration of users' requirements shows that a multiplicity of design skills are needed for effective form design. This in turn has implications for the nature of the design process.
14.3.25 (83909)
Wright, P., Creighton, P., and Threlfall, S.M. Some factors determining when instructions will be read. Ergonomics, 1982, 2 5 . 3 , 2 2 5 - 2 3 7 .
Many consumer products are accompanied by written instructions. Epstein, J. This paper explores the relationship Informing the elderly. Information between the claims that people make Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 1 5 - 2 3 5 . about reading these instructions and a number of other factors, including the This paper reports an investigation characteristics of the product, the age into the provision of information on of the consumer and the consumer's social benefits and services to the elderly. It was found that most agencies attitude to the product. Six product categories are examined ranging from rely heavily on leaflets. A selection of complex electrical items such as these Were evaluated and most were found to be difficult, dull and confusing; videotape recorders to simple familiar a survey of elderly people revealed that products such as fish fingers. It is shown few could recall seeing them, and few that product category is one of the professionals used them. The survey determinants of people's willingness also showed that the most houseto read instructions. The age of the bound were the least well-informed consumer was found to have no and contact with family, friends, predictive value, but the consumer's doctors and social workers did not assumptions about the simplicity of improve matters. One conclusion was operation strongly determined whether that much money is spent on the instructions would be read. information which is seen by just a few. Attitudes concerning familiarity, safety and cheapness of the product did not correlate with claims about reading 14.3.23 (83907) instructions, but people claimed to be Wendt, D. less likely to read the instructions of Improving the legibility of textbooks: products used frequently. The Effects of wording and typographic imphcations of these data for design. Visible Language, 1982, 16.1, manufacturers are discussed. 88-93. 14.3.22 (83899)
It has been demonstrated that the success achieved in a previous study by means of a 'visualised' version of a physics textbook lesson was not so much due to typographic changes as to changes in wording that were necessary to fit the text into the new format. These changes in wording are further analysed. 14.3.24 (83908)
Wright, P. Informed design for forms.
Information Design Journal, 1981, 2.3-4, 151-178.
14.3.26 (84163)
Klare, G.R. Readability indices: Do they inform or misinform? Information Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 5 1 - 2 5 5 . This paper discusses recent criticism of readability formulae, in this issue of IDJ and elswhere; the author points to evidence in their favour and focuses on three aspects of their application: when, how and why. He distinguishes between the valid use of formulae to predict reading difficulty and the invalid use to produce clear writing.
Applied Ergonomics September1983
223
Kember, P., Ainsworth, L., and Brightman, P. A hand anthropometric survey of British workers. Cranfield Institute of Technology, Ergonomics Laboratory, Cranfield, Beds, 1981, 129 pp. 14.3.13 (83835)
Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, London. Adult heights and weights survey. OPCSMonitor, No SS 81/1, 1981, 10 pp. This Monitor is the first in a new series of Social Survey Monitors which will publicise the main results of recent surveys carried out by OPCS. This particular Monitor presents some information on the heights and weights of the adult population of Great Britain aged 16-64 inclusive. The results come from a survey conducted in 1980 in which some 10000 adults from 5000 households were weighed and measured in their own homes. This is the first such survey in BritaL'i to be based on a representative sample of households. People were weighed wearing only lightweight summer clothes and an allowance was made for their clothing to approximate nude weight. They were measured without shoes. Since the heights and weights of men and women are so different they are always shown separately in the results. 14.3.14 (83838)
Elias, R. et al Ergonomic study of the work of supermarket checkout girls (Etude Ergonomique du Poste de Travail de Caissi~re de Libre-Service). (In French.)
Cahters de Notes Documentaires Securit# et Hygiene du Travail, 1981, No 103, 211-220; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 81-1754). A work study of 88 female checkout employees was carried out in a French supermarket: motion and stress study; biomechanics analysis; questionnaire survey of discomfort factors; physiological study of workload. The results revealed considerable stress factors linked to work postures, to working environment (cold, draughts, lighting conditions) and speed of work imposed. Measures proposed to improve working conditions: better organisation of shifts and rest breaks, standardisation of workplace design, layout and equipment (general recommendations, seat, footrest, keyboard, cash register). 14.3.15 (83846)
Undeutsch, K. et al Back complaints and findings in transport workers performing physically
222
heavy work. Scandinavian Journal o f Work, Environment & Health, 1982, 8. Supplement 1, 92-96. Transport work at an airport promotes the appearance of back diseases because of the lifting, carrying, pulling and pushing of loads in limited spaces. To clarify the nature of back disorders in such a group, a standardised interview for detecting subjective previous and present back symptoms was made of 366 transport workers, and 134 were given a clinical orthopedic examination for detecting objective findings. 66% of the interviewed workers reported current back symptoms; these symptoms correlated significantly positively with height, age, and length of transport work experience. 83% of the workers with present back symptoms also complained of former back pain. Validity tests between the interview and the clinical examination showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 31%. The results of the study suggest (i) that according to the high sensitivity the used interview is a valuable screening method for detecting back disorders, and (ii) that selection of workers according to the criteria of the results may be expected to lower the prevalence of back complaints. 14.3.16 (83860)
Hunting, W., Laubli, Th., and Grandjean, E. Postural and visual loads at VDT workplaces I. Constrained postures. Ergonomics, 1981, 24.12, 917-931. In a field study of 162 VDT and 133 control workplaces it was found that constrained postures of VDT workplaces and in full-time typists were sometimes associated with physical impairments in the hands, arms, shoulders and neck. The reported complaints were confirmed by medical findings on muscles, tendons and joints. The incidence of impairments was increased when the distance from the surface of the keyboards to the desk surface was large; the height of the keyboard from the floor was low; there was insufficient space to rest the forearms and hands; the lateral deviation of the hands operating keyboards was great; and there was a pronounced inclination or turning of the head. Several recommendations for the proper design of VDT workstations are deduced from the present study. 14.3.17 (83867) Vihma, T., Nurminen, M., and
Mutanen, P. Sewing-machine operators' work and museulo-skeletal complaints. Ergonomics, 1982, 25.4, 295-298.
AppliedErgonomics September1983
The purpose of the study was to obtain information about the possible occupational origin of the high occurrence of musculo-skeletal (rheumatic) complaints among sewingmachine operators. The subjects were chosen by random sampling and comprised 40 sewing-machine operators with short work cycles (30-60s) and 20 seamstresses as the reference group. The two groups were matched with respect to age and length of service. A survey of working postures showed that the sewing-machine operators' work was more static. Musculo-skeletal complaints occurred more frequently among the sewing-machine operators. especially in the neck and shoulders (p < O'OO1). It is concluded that the occupational change from seamstresses' work to sewing-machine operators' work is associated with an increase in the occurrence of musculo-skeletal complaints, 14.3.18 (84132) Segu, A. Computerised system for the prediction of final adult height (Computerizzozione dei Sistemi per la Predizione della Statura Adulta: Possibilita e Prospettive di un Servizio Diagnostico). (In Italian.) Acta Medica Auxologica, 1981, 13.1, 43-61. Besides clinical examination and comparison of height and weight with appropriate standards, the assessment of bone maturation and the prediction of final adult height are important tools for evaluating somatic development of a child. After a historical introduction, the classic and most widely used as well as the most advanced methods of bone age estimation and height prediction are presented and a novel automated system of evaluation is described. Based on generally accepted principles of developmental biology, an original, computerised system has been devised and set up with the name of TGE (Theoretical Growth Evaluation); it will be made available to physicians m Italy, Germany and the United States. In this system, bone age is estimated according to Greufieh and Pyle and to Tanner et at With this and several other input data (date of birth and of examination, height, weight, parental height, menarche in girls), the computer program will compare actual growth data with up-to-date longitudinal standards, will calculate height predictions according to Bayley-Pinneau, Roche-Wainer-Thissen, and Tanner et al, and will compare these predictions with target height as an expression of genetic potential. Depending on various possible constellations, the program will then automatically select the most
appropriate set, out of 22 diagnostic messages and warnings. This system has been designed to be useful to two groups of physicians: (1) as a diagnostic aid to general practitioners and busy pediatricians not familiar with these complex methods of calculation, and (2) as a device, which saves time and repetitive calculations to specialised pediatric endocrinologists. 14.3.19 (84151)
Patterson, P.E., and Gabbard, C. Hydraulic transducer for assessing grip strength. Human Factors, 1982, 24.2, 245-247. An instrument for assessing grip strength and endurance is described. The instrument provides an alternative type of measurement, as compared with conventional dynamometers (e g, lever action dynamometers). It may be particularly useful for assessing the capabilities of handicapped workers.
Visual displays 14.3.20 (83894)
Cook, J.F., Moss, W.D., and Crawshaw, C.M. An evaluation of a radar display showing target aspect in colour. Journal of Navigation, 1982, 35.2, 339-348. An experiment is described in which colour-coded information concerning the aspect of target ships was provided in addition to a relative-motion radar display. This was compared with the normal relative-motion display alone, while a third condition used the normal true-motion display alone. The performance of 21 experienced seafarers on six exercises was assessed by five expert judges as an index of display effectiveness. The method of evaluation was found useful and practical, while user reports were shown to be inappropriate. No overall difference between the three displays was found; the reasons for this are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that training is required to gain the benefit of colour in a display. 14.3.21 (83895)
Cole, B.L., and Jacobs, R.J. A comparison of alternative symbolic warning signs for railway level crossings. Australian Road Research, 1981, 11.4, 37-45. Most level crossings have light traffic and good accident records and the only protection that can be justified in cost benefit terms is a system of warning signs. The Australian standard specifies a warning sign using the 'cross bucks' symbol which might not be correctly interpreted and might also be
confused with the crossroads warning sign. Wigglesworth, in a review of level crossing protection for the Ministry of Transport, Victoria, recommended the adoption of a train symbol. The UN protocol symbol is a steam train but steam trains are no longer used on scheduled railway services. However, a diesel train symbol does not have distinctive features easily adaptable to symbolic representation and such a symbol might not have an adequate legibility distance. This paper compares the two Australian Standard railway warning signs, a steam train symbol and two diesel train symbols. The criteria for evaluation are interpretability and legibility distance. Consideration is also given to what are the community stereotypes for a railway warning sign. It is concluded that the steam train symbol remains a community stereotype despite the rarity of steam trains, is likely to be correctly interpreted and has a long legibility distance.
This paper seeks to develop a heuristic that can be used by form designers during the design process. This heuristic is based on an analysis of the interaction between the form and those who use it (i e, complete it or administer it). The interaction is analysed in terms of the cognitive processes involved in dealing with the form (perception, memory, decision making, etc). This analysis also provides a framework for interpreting the available research literature. Detailed consideration of users' requirements shows that a multiplicity of design skills are needed for effective form design. This in turn has implications for the nature of the design process.
14.3.25 (83909)
Wright, P., Creighton, P., and Threlfall, S.M. Some factors determining when instructions will be read. Ergonomics, 1982, 2 5 . 3 , 2 2 5 - 2 3 7 .
Many consumer products are accompanied by written instructions. Epstein, J. This paper explores the relationship Informing the elderly. Information between the claims that people make Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 1 5 - 2 3 5 . about reading these instructions and a number of other factors, including the This paper reports an investigation characteristics of the product, the age into the provision of information on of the consumer and the consumer's social benefits and services to the elderly. It was found that most agencies attitude to the product. Six product categories are examined ranging from rely heavily on leaflets. A selection of complex electrical items such as these Were evaluated and most were found to be difficult, dull and confusing; videotape recorders to simple familiar a survey of elderly people revealed that products such as fish fingers. It is shown few could recall seeing them, and few that product category is one of the professionals used them. The survey determinants of people's willingness also showed that the most houseto read instructions. The age of the bound were the least well-informed consumer was found to have no and contact with family, friends, predictive value, but the consumer's doctors and social workers did not assumptions about the simplicity of improve matters. One conclusion was operation strongly determined whether that much money is spent on the instructions would be read. information which is seen by just a few. Attitudes concerning familiarity, safety and cheapness of the product did not correlate with claims about reading 14.3.23 (83907) instructions, but people claimed to be Wendt, D. less likely to read the instructions of Improving the legibility of textbooks: products used frequently. The Effects of wording and typographic imphcations of these data for design. Visible Language, 1982, 16.1, manufacturers are discussed. 88-93. 14.3.22 (83899)
It has been demonstrated that the success achieved in a previous study by means of a 'visualised' version of a physics textbook lesson was not so much due to typographic changes as to changes in wording that were necessary to fit the text into the new format. These changes in wording are further analysed. 14.3.24 (83908)
Wright, P. Informed design for forms.
Information Design Journal, 1981, 2.3-4, 151-178.
14.3.26 (84163)
Klare, G.R. Readability indices: Do they inform or misinform? Information Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 5 1 - 2 5 5 . This paper discusses recent criticism of readability formulae, in this issue of IDJ and elswhere; the author points to evidence in their favour and focuses on three aspects of their application: when, how and why. He distinguishes between the valid use of formulae to predict reading difficulty and the invalid use to produce clear writing.
Applied Ergonomics September1983
223