Citation

Ahasan MR, Vayrynen S, Kirvesoja H. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 1996; 2(1): 27-34.

Affiliation

University of Oulu, Finland. rahasan@paju.oulu.fi

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10602575

Abstract

Small industry workers are often involved in manual handling operations that require awkward body postures, so musculoskeletal disorders and occupational injuries are a major problem. In this study, various types of tasks were recorded with a video camera to chart and analyze different postures by computerized OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System). Collected data showed that poor postures were adopted, not only for lifting or hammering operation, but also for other tasks; mostly with bent and twisted back. The main aim was to determine the physical workload by identifying harmful postures and to develop recommendations for improving the existing situation. Forty-eight male workers from 8 different units (mean age: 37) participated. The performed activities were then divided into 26 sub-tasks. Altogether 1534 postures were selected for analysis. Then they were classified into different OAC (OWAS Action Categories). From all the observation, unhealthy postures, for which corrective measures had to be considered immediately (i.e., 10.6% classified as OAC III and 3.3%--as OAC IV) were found. The applied method was useful in determining the physical workload by locating potential activities due to harmful postures, providing a detailed description with analysis, and suggesting successful means to reduce postural load.

Language: en