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¨ Lin, J. H., Radwin, R. G., and Richard, T. G., A dynamic model of the hand and arm in pistol grip power hand tool usage, Ergonomics, 44(3), 2001
¨ Szabo, R. L. Radwin, R. G., and Henderson, C. J., The influence of knife sharpness on poultry processing operator exertions and the effectiveness of re-sharpening, American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 62(4), 428-433, 2001.
¨ Yen, T. Y. and Radwin, R. G., A comparison between analysis time and inter-analyst reliability using spectral analysis of kinematic data and posture classification, Applied Ergonomics, 33(1), 85-93, 2002
¨ Radwin, R. G., Marras, W. S., and Lavender, S. L., Biomechanical aspects of work related musculoskeletal disorders, Theoretical Issues in Ergonomic Systems, 2(2), 2002.
¨ Sesto, M. E., Radwin R. G., Salvi, F. J., Functional deficits in carpal tunnel syndrome, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 44(2),133-40, 2003.
¨ Lin, J. H., Radwin, R. G., Fronczak, F. J., and Richard, T. G., Forces associated with pneumatic power screwdriver operation: statics and dynamics, Ergonomics, 46 (12) 1161 – 1177, 2003.
¨ Lin, J. H, Radwin, R. G., and Richard, T. G., A single-degree-of-freedom dynamic model predicts the range of human responses to impulsive forces produced by power hand tools, Journal of Biomechanics, 36(12), 1845-1852, 2003.
¨ Lin, J. H, Radwin, R. G., and Richard, T. G., Handle dynamics predictions for selected power hand tool applications, Human Factors, 45(4), 645-656, 2003
¨ Edgren, C. S., Radwin, R. G., and Irwin, C. B., Grip Force Vectors for Varying Handle Diameters and Hand Sizes, Human Factors, 46(2), 244-351, 2004.
¨ Sesto, M. E., Radwin, R. G., Best, T. M., and Richard, T. G., Upper limb mechanical changes following short duration repetitive eccentric exertions, Clinical Biomechanics, 19 (9), 921-928, 2004.
¨ Radwin, R. G., Sesto, M. E., and Zachary, S. V., Functional tests for quantifying recovery following carpal tunnel surgery, Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 86-A(12):2614-20, 2004.
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The OhioStateUniversity. Institute for Ergonomics.Biodynamics Laboratory.
- Splittstoesser, R.E., Yang, G., Knapik, GG, Trippany, D.R., Hoyle, J.A., Lahoti, P., Korkmaz, S.V., . Sommerich, C.M., Lavender, S.A., and Marras, W.S. (2007) "Spinal Loading During Manual Materials Handling in a Kneeling Posture," Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 17, 25-34
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¨ Marras, W.S., Davis, K.G., and Jorgensen, M. (2003) “Gender Influences on Spine Loads during Complex Lifting”, The Spine Journal, 3(2), 93-99.
¨ Davis, K.G., and Marras, W.S. (2003) “Partitioning the Contribution Role of Biomechanical, Psychosocial, and Individual Risk Factors in the Development of Spine Loads”. The Spine Journal, 3(5), 331-338.
¨ Ferguson, S.A., Gaudes-MacLaren, L.L., Marras, W.S., Waters, T.R. and Davis, K.G. (2002) “Spinal Loading When Lifting From Industrial Storage Bins”, Ergonomics, 45(6), 399-414.
¨ Marras, W.S., Davis, K.G., and Jorgensen, M. (2002) “Spine Loading and Gender”, Spine, 27(22), 2514-2520.
¨ Kovacs, K., Splittstoesser, R., Maronitis, A., and Marras, W.S. (2002) “Grip Force and Muscle Activity Differences Due to Glove Type”, AIHA Journal, 63(3), 269-274.
¨ Davis, K.P., Marras, W.S., Heaney, C.A., Waters, T.R., and Gupta, P. (2002) “The Impact of Mental Processing and Pacing on Spine Loading”, Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research, Spine, 27(23), 2645-2653. Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research
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¨ Marras, W.S., Davis, K.G., Heaney, C.A., Maronitis, A.B., and W.G. Allread (2000) "The Influence of Psychosocial Stress, Gender, and Personality on Mechanical Loading of the Lumbar Spine," Spine, 25(23), 3045-3054.
¨ Treaster, D.E., and Marras, W.S. (2000) "An Assessment of Alternate Keyboards Using Finger Motion, Wrist Motion, and Tendon Travel," Clinical Biomechanics, 15(7), 499-503.
¨ Granata, K.P. and Marras, W.S. (2000) "Cost-Benefit of Muscle Cocontraction in Protecting Against Spinal Instability," Spine, 25(11), 1398-1404.
¨ Davis, K.G. and Marras, W.S. (2000) "The Effects of Motion on Trunk Biomechanics," Clinical Biomechanics, 15(10), 703-717.
¨ Davis, K.G. and Marras (2000) "Assessment of the Relationship between Box Weight and Trunk Kinematics: Does a Reduction in Box Weight Necessarily Correspond to a Decrease in Spinal Loading?" Human Factors, 42(2), 195-208.
¨ Davis, K.G., Jorgensen, M.J., and Marras, W.S. (2000) "An Investigation of Perceived Exertion via Whole Body Exertion and Direct Muscle Force Indicators During the Determination of the Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift," Ergonomics, 43(2), 143-159.
¨ Marras, W.S., Jorgensen, M.J., and Davis, K.G. (2000) "The Effect of Foot Movement and an Elastic Lumbar Back Support on Spinal Loading During Free-Dynamic Symmetric and Asymmetric Lifting Exertions," Ergonomics, 43(5), 653-668.
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G. C. DAVID: ERGONOMIC METHODS FOR ASSESSING EXPOSURE TO RISK FACTORS FOR WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS .OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE 2005;55:190–199.
Background This review provides an overview of the range of methods that have been developed for the assessment of exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal .
Methods Relevant publications and material on exposure assessment techniques have been gathered for inclusion in this review.
Results The methods have been categorized under three main headings: (1) self-reports from workers can be used to collect data on workplace exposure to both physical and psychosocial factors by using methods that include worker diaries, interviews and questionnaires; (2) observational methods that may be further subdivided between (a) simpler techniques developed for systematically recording workplace exposure that enable an observer to assess and record data on a number of factors using specifically designed pro-forma sheets for establishing priorities for workplace intervention; and (b) advanced techniques developed for the assessment of postural variation for highly dynamic activities that record data either on videotape or are computer analysed using dedicated software; (3) direct measurements using monitoring instruments that rely on sensors attached directly to the subject for the measurement of exposure variables at work.
Conclusions The choice between the methods available will depend upon the application concerned and the objectives of the study. General, observation-based assessments appear to provide the levels of costs, capacity, versatility, generality and exactness best matched to the needs of occupational safety and health practitioners (or those from related professions) who have limited time and resources at their disposal and need a basis for establishing priorities for intervention.
PETER BUCKLE: ERGONOMICS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS: OVERVIEW. OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE 2005;55:164–167
Abstract Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a major source of disability and lost work time.
Understanding their causes, and especially those that are work-related, remains the key to primary prevention. This set of in-depth reviews considers the problem from a number of systems needs and viewpoints. Assessing the exposure of workers to known risk factors is essential and appropriate methods are reviewed. Similarly, a consideration of psychosocial factors thought to contribute indirectly to the problem has also been explored. Contemporary ergonomics stresses the importance of a participatory approach to prevention and solution finding, and evidence in support of this is presented. The final review considers the application of ergonomics knowledge to understanding musculoskeletal disorders amongst those using computer technology.
G. MOENS: FOLLOW-UP STUDY INTO THE ETIOLOGIC AND PROGNOSTIC DETERMINANTS OF WORK RELATED BACK PAIN. UNIVERSITÉ CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN.2006
Work-related back disorders have enormous human and financial costs. In the literature, individual factors, physical and psychosocial workload have consistently been associated with back disorders (Bongers et al 1993).
Although much research has been carried out into this problem, researchers still point to the low quality of many studies and to their cross-sectional and retrospective nature (Moens et al1993, Moens et al 1994). Further it has become clear that a distinction has to be made between the objective ('disease'), subjective ('illness') and social dimensions ('sickness') of the problem, because each dimension is likely to be influenced by specific determinants (Burdorf et al 1997, Bombardier et al 1994, Waddell 1998). Because the Belgian situation of occupational medicine could create a logistic opportunity to set measurements: at baseline (t0), at one year (t1) and at two (t2) years after the initial up a follow-up study, the study has been designed as a prospective trial with three measurement. The incidence, the characteristics and the consequences of low back pain, as well as the etiologic and prognostic determinants have been followed up by means of questionnaires and a standardized clinical examination. The physical exposure information in the questionnaire has been validated by selected direct observations at the workplace.
I.2 Goals of the study
Goal:
A prospective study was set up in several health care institutions and industrial enterprises from the distribution sector. In addition to the recording of the incidence of back pain (and of its consequences such as sick leave, chronic pain), also the occurrence of physical and psychosocial exposure factors have been assessed.
Objectives:
The selection of workers into the study population has been spread over one year and these employees have been followed up. The target was to attain a study population of1200 workers. After the project period of 4 years, 2 years of follow-up would be available for each participant. The analysis consisted of the calculation of associations between determinants and outcome variables. Through multivariate statistical analysis, confounding variables, such as extraprofessional physical and psychosocial exposure, should be accounted for. To guarantee a wide variation in exposure, participants have been chosen in several occupational groups in two different sectors (health care and distribution sector). Scientific strategy and project objectives: For employees in several professional groups who fulfill specific inclusion criteria, the study aimed at assessing the respective influence or predictive value of: a. Person-related factors, such as personal and familial antecedents, age, gender,psychological and personality factors, such as knowledge, feelings about back pain, coping and avoidance behavior, and psychosomatic complaints.
b. Physical and psychosocial occupational exposure.
c. Clinical abnormalities of the back. on the incidence of low back pain (complaints, symptoms) and on its characteristics like frequency, severity, duration, localization, origin, frequency and duration of sick leave, therapeutic and occupational consequences.
JANSEN JP.1, BURDORF A.: EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL LOAD AND BACK DISORDERS. ARCH PUBLIC HEALTH 2002, 60, 153-172.
In epidemiologic studies on low back disorders measurement techniques and direct measurements. The choice for a particular measurement technique depends on appreciation of the applicability in various situations. The aim of the present paper is to review the scientific literature on workrelated back disorders in order to evaluate the strength of the associations between physical load and back problems among different studies, and, second, to analyse whether the strength of the associations can partly be explained by the measurement strategy chosen. Forty-three publications were selected with quantitative information on physical load and back disorders. The analysis showed that the strength of association is, next to the work-related risk factor studied, partly explained by independent effects caused by the measurement technique and study design. Observations and direct measurements are less prone to information bias and, hence, will result in a better assessment of the true effect.
ST-VINCENT, MARIE; CHICOINE, DENISE; TELLIER, CHANTAL : WORK INVOLVING VARIED TASKS: AN ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS PROCESS FOR WMSD PREVENTION. IRSST PUBLICATIONS.2007
Like repetitive tasks, varied long-cycle tasks, which are a common work method in companies, are the cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Professionals have tools that enable them to analyze short-cycle repetitive tasks, but this is not the case when they want to analyze varied tasks in order to prevent the MSDs that they may cause. The objective of this project is to produce a guide that will enable them to study such work situations using an ergonomic analysis process. Accessible to all interested individuals because the information is in easy-to-read form, this document will present the context for applying this process, will explain each of the steps in the work analysis, and will put the advantages and limitations of this approach in perspective. This new tool will also respond to requests for expertise and training in MSD prevention from people in the milieu. It is in line with the work that the IRSST has already published in this field.
A SEIDLER, U BOLM-AUDORFF, H HEISKEL, N HENKEL, B ROTH-KÜVER, U KAISER, R: THE ROLE OF CUMULATIVE PHYSICAL WORK LOAD IN LUMBAR SPINE DISEASE: RISK FACTORS FOR LUMBAR OSTEOCHONDROSIS AND SPONDYLOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC COMPLAINTS OCCUP. ENVIRON. MED. 2001;58;735-746.
Objectives—To investigate the relation with a case-control study between symptomatic osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar spine and cumulative occupational exposure to lifting or carrying and to working postures with extreme forward bending.
Methods—From two practices and four clinics were recruited 229 male patients
with radiographically confirmed osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar
spine associated with chronic complaints.
Of these 135 had additionally had acute lumbar disc herniation. A total of 197 control subjects was recruited: 107 subjects with anamnestic exclusion of lumbar
spine disease were drawn as a random population control group and 90 patients
admitted to hospital for urolithiasis who had no osteochondrosis or spondylosis of
the lumbar spine radiographically were recruited as a hospital based control group. Data were gathered in a structured personal interview and analysed using logistic regression to control for age, region, nationality, and other diseases affecting the lumbar spine. To calculate cumulative forces to the lumbar spine over the entire working life, the Mainz- Dortmund dose model (MDD), which is based on an overproportional weighting of the lumbar disc compression force relative to the respective duration of the lifting process was applied with modifications: any objects weighing >5 kg were included in the calculation and no minimum daily exposure limits were established. Calculation of forces to the lumbar spine was based on self reported estimates of occupational lifting, trunk flexion, and duration.
Results—For a lumbar spine dose >9´106 Nh (Newton´hours), the risk of having
radiographically confirmed osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar spine as
measured by the odds ratio (OR) was 8.5 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.1 to
17.5) compared with subjects with a load of0 Nh. To avoid differential bias, forces to the lumbar spine were also calculated on the basis of an internal job exposure matrix based on the control subjects’ exposure assessments for their respective job groups. Although ORs were lower with this approach, they remained significant.
Conclusions—The calculation of the sum of forces to the lumbar spine is a useful
tool for risk assessment for symptomatic osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The results suggest that cumulative occupational exposure to lifting
or carrying and extreme forward bending increases the risk for developing symptomatic osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar spine.
NICOLE W. H. JANSEN*, IJMERT KANT., LUDOVIC G. P. M. VAN AMELSVOORT: NEED FOR RECOVERY FROM WORK: EVALUATING SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF WORKING HOURS, PATTERNS AND SCHEDULES. ERGONOMICS, 2003, VOL. 46, NO. 7, 664 – 680
In this paper working hours, patterns and work schedules of employees were evaluated in terms of need for recovery from work. Self-administered questionnaire data from employees of the Maastricht Cohort Study on Fatigue at Work (n=12,095) were used. Poisson regression analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that higher working hours a day and working hours a week generally went together with more need for recovery from work. Overtime work was particularly associated with higher need for recovery from work in both genders. Both male and female three-shift or irregular shift workers had higher odds of elevated need for recovery compared to day workers. When additionally controlling for work-related factors, need for recovery levels among shift workers substantially lowered. This study clearly showed that working hours and schedules are associated with need for recovery from work, with different associations for men and women. Especially the associations between work schedules and need for recovery from work were very interrelated with other work-related factors. Future studies could further investigate the possibility that shift work might function as a proxy of other work-related factors that explain the different levels in need for recovery from work, or that job demands are perceived higher among shift workers and may therefore lead to more need for recovery from work.
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