TY - JOUR
T1 - A different approach for the ergonomic evaluation of pushing and pulling in practice
AU - Kuijer, P. Paul F. M.
AU - Hoozemans, Marco J. M.
AU - Frings-Dresen, Monique H. W.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Recent epidemiological studies show that pushing and pulling increase the risks of shoulder complaints and not necessarily of low back complaints. Moreover, the magnitude of the exerted hand forces during pushing and pulling is poorly related to the magnitude of the mechanical loading of the low back and the shoulder. In light of that, this paper combines results of several studies to present an approach for evaluating not only the exerted hand forces, but also the low back and shoulder load during pushing and pulling in practice. The approach specifies, based on scientific evidence, that (1) in order to validly obtain exposure (frequency and duration) to pushing and pulling, 10 workers should be observed during eight periods of 30 min; (2) how the exerted hand forces and the load of the low back and shoulder can be estimated in practice based solemnly on the weight of the object, one-handed or two-handed pushing or pulling, and the height of the handle; and finally, (3) how these outcomes can be evaluated in combination with existing guidelines regarding exerted hand forces, compression forces on the low back and the moments at the shoulder. Two cases will be presented here to illustrate the application of the approach. Relevance to industry The presented approach is the first to offer practitioners a fairly simple method for the ergonomic evaluation of pushing and pulling carts and four-wheeled containers in practice, especially as regarding the shoulder load. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
AB - Recent epidemiological studies show that pushing and pulling increase the risks of shoulder complaints and not necessarily of low back complaints. Moreover, the magnitude of the exerted hand forces during pushing and pulling is poorly related to the magnitude of the mechanical loading of the low back and the shoulder. In light of that, this paper combines results of several studies to present an approach for evaluating not only the exerted hand forces, but also the low back and shoulder load during pushing and pulling in practice. The approach specifies, based on scientific evidence, that (1) in order to validly obtain exposure (frequency and duration) to pushing and pulling, 10 workers should be observed during eight periods of 30 min; (2) how the exerted hand forces and the load of the low back and shoulder can be estimated in practice based solemnly on the weight of the object, one-handed or two-handed pushing or pulling, and the height of the handle; and finally, (3) how these outcomes can be evaluated in combination with existing guidelines regarding exerted hand forces, compression forces on the low back and the moments at the shoulder. Two cases will be presented here to illustrate the application of the approach. Relevance to industry The presented approach is the first to offer practitioners a fairly simple method for the ergonomic evaluation of pushing and pulling carts and four-wheeled containers in practice, especially as regarding the shoulder load. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2007.07.011
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2007.07.011
M3 - Article
SN - 0169-8141
VL - 37
SP - 855
EP - 862
JO - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
JF - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
IS - 11-12
ER -