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Firefighter hoods must provide protection from elevated temperatures and products of combustion while simultaneously being comfortable and limiting interference with firefighting movement or completion of fireground activities. This study was to quantify the impact of hood design (traditional knit hood vs. several models of particulate-blocking hoods) on wearability measures such as range of motion, noise production and hearing threshold. Firefighters' perceptions of wearability were also collected. In a controlled laboratory environment, 24 firefighters performed movement and hearing tests. Wearing particulate-blocking hoods resulted in decreased rotational range of motion, and thicker hoods reduced hearing ability. Design, but not necessarily the number of layers, affected noise production by the hood during head movement. Practitioner summary: Particulate-blocking hoods resulted in reduced rotational range of motion relative to the traditional design and the no-hood condition. Hoods with additional layers resulted in decreased hearing ability. Noise production was increased in designs of particulate-blocking hoods with a membrane-based blocking layer independent of the number of layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent extreme cold events in recent years have brought serious threats to outdoor workers and rescuers. Changes in ambient temperature are associated with altered cardiac autonomic function. The study aims to investigate heart rate variability (HRV) and its relationship to other physiological parameters under extreme cold exposures. Twelve males underwent a 30-min preconditioning phase in a neutral environment followed by a 30-min cold exposure (−5, −10, −15, and −20 °C). Time-domain indexes(meanRR, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50), frequency domain indexes [Log(HF), Log(LF), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF)], parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) were analysed. Results showed all HRV indexes of four cold exposures were significant. The decrease in temperature was accompanied by progressive PNS activation with SNS retraction. SDNN was the most sensitive HRV index and had good linear relationships with blood pressure, pulse, and hand temperature. The results are significant for formulating safety protection strategies for workers in extremely cold environments. Practitioner Summary: This study investigated heart rate variability (HRV) in 12 males during a 30-min cold exposure (−5, −10, −15, and −20 °C). Results showed all HRV indexes of four cold exposures were significant. The decrease in temperature was accompanied by progressive PNS activation with SNS retraction. SDNN was the most sensitive HRV index and had good linear relationships with blood pressure, pulse, and hand temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of traditional analysis methods in improving complex socio-technical system safety has reached a ceiling, and thus systems theory has been utilised to support the investigations and countermeasures for road traffic accidents. As two widely applied systems accident analysis models, STAMP (systems theoretic accident model and process) and HFACS (human factors analysis and classification system) have their own advantages in accident analysis and safety improvement. Therefore, this study develops a new hybrid systems method integrating STAMP and HFACS for road traffic accident (SH-RTA), which can adopt HFACS to enhance the identification and analysis ability of STAMP for human factors and employ control concepts and elements of STAMP to cement the characteristic of HFACS. To illustrate the applicability of the hybrid method, a case study of '9·22' major road traffic accident in China is thoroughly analysed. Finally, preventive countermeasures and suggestions are presented. Practitioner Summary: This paper proposes a new hybrid systems method integrating STAMP and HFACS for road traffic accident. The new method reveals dysfunctional interactions within the parallel level and across levels, and identifies additional human and organisational factors. The recommendations for preventing road traffic accident are provided from higher levels of system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By conducting a mixed-design experiment using simplified accident handling tasks performed by two-person teams, this study examined the effects of automation function and condition (before, during, and after malfunction) on human performance. Five different and non-overlapping functions related to human information processing model were considered and their malfunctions were set in a first-failure way. The results showed that while the automation malfunction impaired task performance, the performance degradation for information analysis was more severe than response planning. Contrary to other functions, the situation awareness for response planning and response implementation tended to increase during malfunctioning and decrease after. In addition, decreased task performance reduced trust in automation, and malfunctions in earlier stages of information processing resulted in lower trust. Suggestions provided for the design and training related to automation emphasise the importance of high-level cognitive support and the benefit of involving automation error handling in training. The effects of automation function and malfunction on human performance are important for design and training. The experimental results in this study revealed the significance of high-level cognitive support. Also, introducing automation error handling in training can be helpful in improving situation awareness of the teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The After-Action Review (AAR) in Virtual Reality (VR) training for police provides new opportunities to enhance learning. We investigated whether perspectives (bird's eye & police officer, bird's eye & suspect, bird's eye) and line of fire displayed in the AAR impacted the officers' learning efficacy. A 3 x 2 ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of AAR perspectives. Post hoc pairwise comparisons showed that using a bird's eye view in combination with the suspect perspective elicits significantly greater learning efficacy compared to using a bird's eye view alone. Using the line of fire feature did not influence learning efficacy. Our findings show that the use of the suspect perspective during the AAR in VR training can support the learning efficacy of police officers. Practitioner summary: VR systems possess After-Action Review tools that provide objective performance feedback. This study found that reviewing a VR police training scenario from the bird's eye view in combination with the suspect perspective enhanced police officers' learning efficacy. Designing and applying the After-Action Review effectively can improve learning efficacy in VR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a significant attention, the field of safety ergonomics has not yet been systematically profiled based on recent studies. To fully understand the current research status, basis, hotspots, and development trends in the field, 533 documents from the Web of Science core database were used for knowledge mapping analysis by the bibliometric method. The study found that the USA is the top country in publications, and Tehran University is the institution with the highest number of publications. Ergonomics and Applied Economics are the authoritative safety ergonomics journals. Through co-occurrence and co-citation analysis, current safety ergonomics research is focussed on healthcare, product design, and occupational health and safety. The keyword timeline view indicates that the main research paths are occupational health and safety, and patient safety research. The analysis of burst keywords shows that safety ergonomics research in management, model design, and system design areas are research frontiers in the field. Practitioner summary: This paper presents a knowledge mapping of safety ergonomics research through bibliometric analysis. The research results show the research status, research hotspots, and research frontiers in the field of safety ergonomics, which provides a direction for other scholars to quickly understand the development of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine physiological responses of firefighters performing a firefighting simulation test (FST) and to determine the relationship between physical fitness parameters and FST performance. Aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities were evaluated in 37 firefighters (21-profesionals and 16-volunteers firefighters). Furthermore, participants carried out the FST during which we measured performance, respiratory gas exchange, heart rate (HR), perceived exertion and blood lactate concentrations. Males were significantly faster than females for all tasks of the FST (p < 0.01); however, final performance score (16.5 ± 2.9 and 14.5 ± 2.6 points for males and females, respectively), HR (94.0 ± 2.0% and 93.7 ± 2.3% of HRmax) and perceived exertion (8.1 ± 0.9 and 7.1 ± 1.3) were not significantly different. Prediction of FST performance by LASSO regression revealed a model that included mainly aerobic capacity and maximal strength. In conclusion, FST challenged both aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolisms for both males and females and requires various physiological abilities to perform. Practitioner Summary: For the safety of firefighters and victims, firefighters must meet minimum physical requirements. 37 firefighters performed physical tests and a new firefighting test implemented for the recruitment of firefighters in France. The results revealed that this test is strenuous and that performance is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength. Abbreviations: V̇O2: oxygen consumption; V̇CO2: carbon dioxyde production; V̇E: expired ventilation; RER: respiratory exchange ratio; FST: firefighting simulation test; MAS: maximal aerobic speed; HR: heart rate; RPE: rating of perceived exertion; MVC: maximum voluntary contraction; IMTP: isometric mid-thigh pull; TTE: time to exhaustion; Ppeak: peak power; Pmean: mean power; LASSO: least absolute shrinkage and selection operator; La-: blood lactate concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global population ages there is an imperative to enhance labour participation of older workers in ways that support good physical and psychological health. However, there is limited guidance for organisations on how to do this effectively. This systematic review examined literature identified through four databases and a targeted web-search, yielding 39 PRISMA records (32 scholarly, seven grey literature) reporting workplace interventions aimed at improving the injury outcomes of older workers. The review revealed that organisational and composite interventions may be most effective, although an absence of robust research in this area and a scarcity of empirical evidence-based interventions known to improve injury outcomes for older workers was noted. Responding to these shortcomings, this article presents 'A future research agenda for older worker health, safety and well-being interventions.' This systems-based approach has a dual focus on organisational and composite interventions combined with robust research design. Practitioner summary: We conducted a systematic literature review of studies focussed on workplace interventions to improve the physical and psychological safety of older workers. Within the existing literature, evidence for effective interventions and guidance for organisations is weak. We present a future research agenda with a systems approach to address these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented tactile and performance feedback has been used to (re)train a modified lifting technique to reduce lumbar spine flexion, which has been associated with low back disorder development during occupational repetitive lifting tasks. However, it remains unknown if the presence of trunk extensor neuromuscular fatigue influences learning of this modified lifting technique. Therefore, we compared the effectiveness of using augmented tactile and performance feedback to reduce lumbar spine flexion during a repetitive lifting task, in both unfatigued and fatigued states. Participants completed repetitive lifting tests immediately before and after training, and 1-week later, with half of the participants completing training after fatiguing their trunk extensor muscles. Both groups demonstrated learning of the modified lifting technique as demonstrated by increased thorax-pelvis coordination variability and reduced lumbar range of motion variability; however, experiencing trunk extensor neuromuscular fatigue during lift (re)training may have slight negative influences on learning the modified lifting technique. Practitioner summary: An augmented lift (re)training paradigm using tactile cueing and performance feedback regarding key movement features (i.e. lumbar spine flexion) can effectively (re)train a modified lifting technique to reduce lumbar flexion and redistribute motion to the hips and knees. However, performing (re)training while fatigued could slightly hinder learning this lifting technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great potential for the military domain but is also seen as prone to data bias and lacking transparency and explainability. In order to advance the trustworthiness of AI-enabled systems, a dynamic approach to the development, deployment and use of AI systems is required. This approach, when incorporating ethical principles such as lawfulness, traceability, reliability and bias mitigation, is called 'Responsible AI'. This article describes the challenges of using AI responsibly in the military domain from a human factors and ergonomics perspective. Many of the ironies of automation originally described by Bainbridge still apply in the field of AI, but there are also some unique challenges and requirements that need to be considered, such as a larger emphasis on ethical risk analyses and validation and verification up-front, as well as moral situation awareness during deployment and use of AI in military systems. 'Responsible AI' is a relatively novel transdisciplinary field incorporating ethical principles in the development and use of AI in military systems. I describe the prospects and challenges with Responsible AI from a human factors and ergonomics perspective. There is in particular a need for new methods for testing and evaluation, validation and verification, explainability and transparency of AI, as well as for new ways of Human-AI Teaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to growing concerns about pilots' proficiency due to the significant decrease in flight operations. The objective of this research is to provide a proactive approach to mitigate potential risks in flight operations associated with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using flight data monitoring (FDM). The results demonstrated significant associations between the pandemic impacts and FDM exceedance categories, flight phases and fleets. Manual flying skill decay, lack of practice effects on use of standard operating procedures and knowledge of flight deck automation should be considered by airlines when preparing for the return to normal operations. An FDM Programme allows prediction of the probability and severity of occurrences for developing an effective SMS within an airline. To mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, tailored training sessions must be implemented, and airlines should strive to avoid additional optional procedures where practicable. Practitioner summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns regarding pilot proficiency due to lack of practice effects. Results from the Flight Data Monitoring Programme show significant associations between the pandemic impacts and occurrence categories, fleets, and flight phases. FDM can be applied to mitigate the probability and severity of occurrences for airlines developing effective safety management systems. There is a significant association between the COVID-19 pandemic stages and FDM events in different flight phases, FDM categories, and aircraft types The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in FDM exceedances, especially for precursors on runway excursion and go-arounds Airlines should carefully plan training sessions for pilots as the disruptions due to the pandemic led to a lack of practice effect in flight operations Reviewing FDM data may have contributions to establish proactive SMS and mitigate COVID-19 impacts to aviation safety [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the worldwide ergonomics community increases its sophistication in solving global problems, specific systemic challenges still plague Indians in urban mega-cities such as Mumbai. This paper aims to highlight the gaps using the knowns-unknowns framework, which exists in the Indian ergonomics community's capability to address such systemic challenges. Within this framework, the epistemological category of 'unknown-knowns' is explicated further using a case study of urban accidental deaths and injuries in Mumbai, India. These systemic casualties are essential to note because they are not only hidden from public awareness but can be avoided by proper ergonomics interventions. The article concludes with four main directions for the Indian ergonomics community in solving systemic problems in terms of, (a) capacity-building, (b) advocacy; (c) developing all realms of ergonomics with particular emphasis on complex systems; (d) developing India-centric pathways for ergonomics as a discipline. Practitioner's summary: This paper aims to highlight gaps in the academic Indian ergonomics community's capacity to solve public systemic problems. An India-centric way forward for awareness, engagement, and academic capacity building is suggested to develop a comprehensive national ergonomics mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes are among the leading causes of injury and death among youth in the agriculture industry. It is hypothesised that youth are involved in ATV-related incidents because they cannot effectively activate the vehicle's controls. This study evaluated potential discrepancies between the required activation forces of the controls of fifty-four utility ATVs and the strength of male-and-female youth of varying ages (6–20 years old) and strength percentiles (5th, 50th, and 95th). The activation forces of the ATVs' controls were measured experimentally, while the youth's corresponding strength was retrieved from the literature. The results of this study demonstrated a physical mismatch between the forces required to operate ATV controls and youth's strength. Turning the handlebar, pressing the footbrake, and pushing the ATV off are the most difficult tasks for ATV operation. These discrepancies compromise the youth's ability to ride ATVs, increasing their risk of crashes. Practitioner summary: Previous studies indicate that some youth engage in ATV incidents because they cannot activate the vehicle's controls. We measured the forces required to operate eight ATV controls and compared them with the youth's corresponding strength. Our results demonstrated physical mismatches between the forces required to operate ATV controls and the youth's strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taping has been suggested to reduce the incidence of tendinopathy in tree planters. However, the ability of taping to reduce wrist postures during planting has not yet been formally evaluated. The primary aim was to test the effect of rigid taping on wrist postures during tree planting tasks. Eleven tree planters planted up to 50 trees in three conditions: no-tape (NT), tape-on-the-dorsum-of-the-hand (T1) and tape-on-the-thumb (T2) in a randomised cross-over, within-participant, repeat-measures design. Electrogoniometers (EG) recorded continuous wrist postures. Digital video recordings were used to segment EG traces of each planting cycle (one planted tree) into 4 kinematically distinct Phases. The tree and shovel wrist were analysed separately. Tree-wrist peak ulnar deviation and frequency of shovel-wrist awkward frontal plane postures were significantly reduced in the T2 condition. Taping may be effective at reducing non-neutral postures and should be researched further to determine its effectiveness in reducing tree planting injuries. Practitioner summary: The effect of rigid taping on wrist postures during tree planting has not yet been formally evaluated. A randomised cross-over, within-participant, repeat measures design was used to evaluate the effect of rigid taping on wrist postures during planting. Thumb rigid taping appeared to reduce wrist range of motion during planting. Taping of the thumb reduced peak ulnar deviation of the tree wrist and frequency of awkward frontal plane postures of the shovel wrist. While taping of the dorsum of the hand appeared to be more restrictive, it did not significantly reduce wrist movement; this is likely because only its effect on sagittal plane posture was assessed which had a higher variance. Upon application, tape appeared to restrict voluntary movement patterns, decreased voluntary grip force exertion and physically restrain wrist movement. Overall, rigid tape was found to be an acceptable intervention for the tree planting occupation, with financial costs and perceived effort identified as the primary barriers to acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the ergonomic design of workplaces and products, a representative anthropometric dataset of the working-age population is needed. As body proportions are constantly changing and the latest publicly available dataset for Germany was published in 2004 (data collection period 1999–2002), the aim of this study was to create and publish an updated anthropometric dataset of the German working-age population. Within a regional epidemiological health study, 3D body scan data from 2313 subjects were collected and used to create an anthropometric dataset with a total of 39 ISO 7250-1 measures. To approximate the goal of generating representative values for Germany, the collected regional dataset was weighted with an algorithm, using values from a known nationally representative survey. Based on the weighted dataset, a gender stratified percentile table with values for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile was calculated. Practitioner summary: Body proportions are constantly changing and the latest publicly available anthropometric dataset for Germany was published in 2004. A new dataset was created, using 3D body scans from an epidemiological health study and a weighting algorithm. Ultimately, percentile tables with values for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile are published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many forestry roles have changed from being manual tasks with a high physical workload to being a machine operator task with a high mental workload. Automation can support a decrease in mental fatigue by removing tasks that are repetitive and monotonous for the operators. Cable yarding presents an ideal opportunity for early adoption of automation technology; specifically the carriage movement along a defined corridor. A Valentini V-850 cable yarder was used in an Italian harvesting setting, in order to gauge the ergonomic benefit of carriage control automation. The study showed that automating yarder carriage movements improved the ergonomic situation of the workers directly involved in the related primary tasks. However, the caveat is that improving one work task may negatively affect the other work tasks, and therefore introducing automation to a worksite must be done after considering all impacts on the whole system. Practitioner summary: Automation decreased the winch operator's mental workload while improving overall productivity. At the same time, the mental and physiological workload of the operator tasked with bucking were slightly increased. Ideally, winch automation should be coupled with bucking mechanisation to balance the intervention and boost both operator well-being and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The typicality effect suggests typical category members provide a cognitive advantage, such as being quicker and easier to recognise and describe. The reverse effect has not been explored in an applied environment. Non-typical flight safety events appear to pose problems for pilots, leading to delayed recognition and ineffective use of checklists. Fifty-six airline pilots completed an experiment that tested a real-world typicality gradient, comparing pilot performance on a group of four non-typical events against four randomly selected events. Non-typical flight safety events elicited a greater number of response errors and a greater response latency when compared with a random selection of safety events. We specify and measure cognitive disadvantage and suggest innovations in pilot education, such as locating troublesome events and improving recognition guidance. Our new findings can be used to better prepare pilots for event diversity and inform safety in other work systems of interest to ergonomics. Practitioner summary: Typical safety events in work environments provide a cognitive dividend, supporting effective recognition and response. In this study, we frame and measure the opposite effect, the cognitive disadvantages of non-typical events. Non-typical events pose significant risk in work systems such as air transport, and we suggest innovations in pilot knowledge and training that make use of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have revealed the association between falling accidents and stress, measured via heart rate variability (HRV). However, none have studied this association using the very low frequency (VLF) band of HRV in adolescent populations. This study aimed to fill this gap by recruiting 90 adolescents to perform a light physical task at varying heights. Heart rates were used to calculate short-term HRV. The results showed a positive correlation between VLF bands and parasympathetic indices and a negative correlation with sympathetic indices, demonstrating the balancing effects of the autonomic modulation associated with height. The lowest VLF bands were obtained as 79.25 ms2 at 10 m (p < 0.001) and 62.87 ms2 at 9 m (p < 0.001) for the experienced and non-experienced male groups, respectively, and 28.09 ms2 at 6 m (p = 0.001) for the female group. The results also suggested the need for a relatively lower height restriction for female adolescents than for males. Practitioner summary: Increased working heights can cause stress, which leads to falling accidents. The very low frequency band was shown to be associated with parasympathetic and sympathetic indices. Furthermore, the results suggested that the height limit necessary for providing a safe working environment may be lower for female adolescents than for males. Abbreviations: HRV: heart rate variability; VLF: very low frequency; ms2: absolute power; ANS: autonomic nervous system; PNS: parasympathetic nervous system; SNS: sympathetic nervous system; RR: intervals between two successive peaks of R waves; RMSSD: root mean square of successive RR interval differences; SD1: Poincaré plot index of standard deviation 1; SD2: Poincaré plot index of standard deviation 2; HF: high frequency; LF: low frequency; BMI: body mass index; ECG: electrocardiography; HR: heart rate; FFT: fast Fourier transformation; IQR: interquartile range; r: non-parametric partial correlation coefficient; η2: eta-squared; EM: experienced males; NM: non-experienced males; NF: non-experienced females; EEG: electroencephalogram [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systems thinking tenets were developed based on a synthesis of contemporary accident causation theory, models and approaches and encapsulate 15 features of complex systems that interact to create both safety and adverse events. Whilst initial testing provided supportive evidence, the tenets have not yet been subject to formal validation. This article presents the findings from a three-round Delphi study undertaken to refine and validate the tenets and assess their suitability for inclusion in a unified model of accident causation. Participants with expertise in accident causation and systems thinking provided feedback on the tenets and associated definitions until an acceptable level of consensus was achieved. The results reduced the original 15 tenets to 14 and 10 were identified as important to include in unified model of accident causation. The refined systems thinking tenets are presented along with future research directions designed to facilitate their use in safety practice. Practitioner summary: This article presents a refined and validated set of systems thinking tenets which describe features of complex systems that interact to create adverse events. The tenets can be used by practitioners to proactively identify safety leading indicators and contributory factors during adverse event analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal risk assessment is a component of safety management relating to hazardous manual tasks (HMT). Systems thinking approaches are currently gaining interest for supporting safety management. Existing HMT risk assessment methods have been found to be limited in their ability to identify risks across the whole work system; however, systems thinking-based risk assessment (STBRA) methods were not designed for the HMT context and have not been tested in this area. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of four state-of-the-art STBRA methods: Net-HARMS, EAST-BL, FRAM and STPA to determine which would be most useful for identifying HMT risks. Each method was independently applied by one of four analysts to assess the risks associated with a hypothetical HMT system. The outcomes were assessed for alignment with a benchmark analysis. Using signal detection theory (SDT), overall STPA was found to be the best performing method having the highest hit rate, second lowest false alarm rate and highest Matthews Correlation Coefficient of the four methods. Practitioner summary: A comparison of four systems thinking risk assessment methods found that STPA had the highest level of agreement with the benchmark analysis and is the most suitable for practitioners to use to identify the risks associated with HMT systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the effects of vertical vibration on sitting comfort in civil aviation, with particular attention to high-frequency components (i.e. 30‒100 Hz). We generated 24 vibration stimuli at four positions (i.e. the co-pilot, front, middle, and rear seat positions) in the aircraft cabin, with magnitudes ranging from 0.05 to 2 ms−2 r.m.s. and durations of 10 s. Twenty-four subjects (12 males and 12 females) judged the vibration discomfort using a category-ratio method. We found a significant effect of high-frequency vibration on comfort: vibration stimuli at the middle and rear seats contained more energy at high frequencies and caused significantly greater discomfort than those at the co-pilot and the front seats. However, this effect became less significant with increasing magnitudes of vibration stimuli. The discomfort predicting models provided more accurate results by amplifying weighting factors for high-frequency vibration than those using standardised weightings (i.e. Wb and Wk weightings). Practitioner summary: The severity of high-frequency vibration for sitting comfort was usually underestimated. We investigated vibration discomfort at various seat positions in an aircraft cabin. Vibration at the middle and rear seats contained more high-frequency components and caused more discomfort. This work provided accurate predicting models of discomfort using the modified weighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive mental workload reduces operators' performance and threatens the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in severe accident management (SAM). Given the lack of suitable mental workload measurement methods for SAM tasks, we proposed a Domain- and Task-Analytic Workload (DTAW) method to predict SAM workload. The DTAW method is developed in three stages: scenario construction based on work domain analysis, task analysis, and workload estimation with eight workload components scored through task-analytic and projective methods. To demonstrate its utility, we applied the method to construct two SAM scenarios and predict the mental workload demand of operators in these scenarios as compared to two design basis accident scenarios. With statistical analysis, the DTAW method can predict the overall subjective workload rated by NPP operators, be used to identify high-load tasks, cluster tasks with similar workload patterns, and provide direct implications for improving SAM strategies and supporting systems. Practitioner summary: To predict mental workload in severe accident management (SAM) scenarios in nuclear power plants, we proposed an analytic method and applied it to estimate mental workload in two SAM scenarios and two design basis accident (DBA) scenarios. We found that the workload pattern in SAM scenarios is different from that in DBA scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engine damage as a consequence of foreign object debris (FOD) during flight is frequently caused by birds. One approach to minimising disruption caused by this damage is to provide flight crew with accurate information relating to the continuing operational status of the aircraft's engines. Before designing such avionic systems however, understanding of current procedures is needed. Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) were used to identify potential failures that flight crew may make when managing an engine bird strike. Workshops with commercial pilots generated insights into current practice and a commercial pilot SME reviewed outputs for accuracy. Over 200 potential failures were identified, most commonly related to communication. Remedial measures, considering future avionic systems, are proposed to mitigate identified failures. This analysis provides a starting point for future design concepts for assisting flight crew in dealing with engine malfunction due to FOD strikes. Practitioner summary: Hierarchical Task Analysis was conducted to show all tasks involved in dealing with an in-flight aircraft engine bird strike. Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach analysis was performed and over 200 possible failures were identified when managing this event. Remedial measures are proposed to help mitigate possible failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present three candidate mathematical models for detecting impacts within time series accelerometer data in the context of whole-body vibration (WBV). In addition to WBV, data included recordings of erector spinae muscle activity and trunk posture collected during use of agricultural machines in a previous study. For each model, we evaluated associations between several mechanical and biomechanical variables at the time of predicted impact onset and the odds of subsequently observing a bilateral response of the erector spinae muscles. For all models, trunk posture at the time of impact onset was strongly associated with an observed bilateral muscle response; these associations were not observed when impacts were randomly assigned. Results provide a framework for describing the number and magnitudes of impacts that may help overcome ambiguities in current exposure metrics, such as the vibration dose value, and highlight the importance of considering posture in the evaluation of occupational WBV exposures. Practitioner summary: Common metrics of exposure to whole-body vibration do not quantify the number or magnitudes of impacts within time series accelerometer data. Three candidate impact detection methods are presented and evaluated using real-world data collected during use of agricultural machines. Results highlight the importance of considering posture when evaluating vibration exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges of youth employment include providing appropriate job training and safe working conditions for women and men. Adolescents enrolled in the Work-oriented Training Path (WOTP) complete a practicum as part of their vocational preparation, notwithstanding learning difficulties or disabilities. This research-action study among this subpopulation used a method called the self-reflection interview (SRI). Developed in the field of ergonomics, it combines interviews and worksite observations to establish discussion prompts. This method is based on the principles of situated learning. The objective is to analyse the process of conducting SRIs with WOTP's students in order to suggest adaptations for this specific population considering their challenges. SRIs were used to address gender stereotypes and occupational health and safety (OHS) risks, two learning targets. The study found that these dimensions are accurately addressed with this method. The findings confirm that the prompts and the method must be adapted to the population. Practitioner summary: The challenges of youth employment require appropriate job training and safe working conditions for women and men. The study used a reflective method called the self-reflection interview as a learning resource, based on situated learning. The study found that OHS and gender differentiation are accurately addressed with this method. Abbreviations: SRI: selfreflection interview; WOTP: Work-oriented Training Path; OHS: occupational health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyse women's wrist and elbow acute work injuries together with cumulative trauma disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and epicondylitis. Five years records (2015–2019) on women's wrist/elbow acute work injuries and CTS/epicondilytis, from Italian National Compensation Authority, were collected and pooled all together as 'dis-ac' (disorders + acute) events. A statistical analysis was performed in comparing the different female-dominated work sectors. Results showed that hairdressing/laundry sector was associated with the highest risk for wrist acute work injuries and cleaning for elbow while manufacturing for CTS and epicondylitis. Hairdressing/laundry and manufacturing were associated with the highest risk for dis-ac events (hairdressing: wrist dis-ac OR: 4.89; CI 95% 4.22–5.67; elbow dis-ac OR: 3.70; CI 95% 2.99–4.58; manufacturing: wrist dis-ac OR: 3.39; CI 95% 3.13–3.66; elbow dis-ac OR: 2.45; CI 95% 2.20–2.73). The relationship between acute injuries and cumulative trauma disorders is discussed to preserve women's safety and health in ergonomics. Practitioner Summary: Women's wrist and elbow acute work injuries and cumulative trauma disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome and epicondylitis) were analysed and studied all together (dis-ac events) in female-dominated activities. Hairdressing and manufacturing work sectors were associated with the highest risk, showing the need to safeguard the health and safety of female workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several professions in industries, such as petroleum, manufacturing, construction, mining, and forestry require prolonged work tasks in awkward postures, increasing workers' risks for musculoskeletal pain and injury. Therefore, we developed and validated a rule-based model for classifying unilateral and bilateral kneeling and squatting based on 15 individuals wearing personal protective equipment and using three wireless triaxial accelerometers. The model provided both high sensitivity and specificity for classifying kneeling (0.98; 0.98) and squatting (0.96; 0.91). Hence, this model has the potential to contribute to increased knowledge of physical work demands and exposure thresholds in working populations with strict occupational safety regulations. Practitioner summary: Our results indicate that this rule-based model can be applied in a human-factors perspective enabling high-quality quantitative information in the classification of occupational kneeling and squatting, known risk factors for musculoskeletal pain, and sick leave. This study is adapted for working populations wearing personal protective equipment and aimed for long-term measurements in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare workers have a high rate of low back injury due to patient handling tasks. These workers receive training in patient handling methods such as adjusting bed height, but often ignore them. In this study, 35 healthcare workers completed patient boosts at a self-chosen bed height and again with the bed in a higher standardised position. Motion capture and force data were collected for analysis. Given the choice, less than half of participants adjusted the bed at all and none of them moved the bed to the highest position (99.1 cm). The self-chosen bed position yielded significantly higher low back force than the higher position at L4-L5 and L5-S1 (p = 0.02, p = 0.01 respectively). Low back forces can be reduced by raising the bed prior to engaging in patient handling tasks, which is a simple step that can reduce forces placed on healthcare workers' low backs. Practitioner summary: Healthcare workers experience high rates of low back pain secondary to patient handling tasks. In this cross-sectional crossover study, healthcare workers consistently chose a low bed height when boosting a patient, which resulted in higher low back loads compared to the highest bed height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advice to limit or avoid a flexed lumbar curvature during lifting is widely promoted to reduce the risk of low back pain (LBP), yet there is very limited evidence to support this relationship. To provide higher quality evidence this study compared intra-lumbar flexion in manual workers with (n = 21) and without a history of LBP (n = 21) during a repeated lifting task. In contrast to common expectations, the LBP group demonstrated less peak absolute intra-lumbar flexion during lifting than the noLBP group [adjusted difference −3.7° (95%CI −6.9 to −0.6)]. The LBP group was also further from the end of range intra-lumbar flexion and did not use more intra-lumbar range of motion during any lift condition (both symmetrical and asymmetrical lifts and different box loads). Peak absolute intra-lumbar flexion was more variable in the LBP group during lifting and both groups increased their peak absolute intra-lumbar flexion over the lift repetitions. This high-quality capture of intra-lumbar spine flexion during repeated lifting in a clinically relevant cohort questions dominant safe lifting advice. Practitioner summary: Lifting remains a common trigger for low back pain (LBP). This study demonstrated that people with LBP, lift with less intra-lumbar flexion than those without LBP. Providing the best quality in-vivo laboratory evidence, that greater intra-lumbar flexion is not associated with LBP in manual workers, raising questions about lifting advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many workers are exposed to noise levels that can cause hearing problems. Earplugs remain a common form of protection for workers exposed to hazardous levels. Their comfort directly affects the effective protection by influencing their consistent and correct use. In order to assess comfort, the COPROD questionnaire was previously developed on the basis of four comfort dimensions: acoustic, physical, functional and psychological. During this field survey, nine earplug models were evaluated by 118 participants over a 6-week period. This paper presents analyses of the collected data and compares three families of earplugs: roll-down foam, premolded and custom moulded. Analyses have shown a better rating of custom moulded earplugs in terms of overall comfort and for all dimensions of comfort. Although premolded earplugs are generally preferred to roll-down foam earplugs, from a statistical point of view, the evaluations of these two families are not significantly different for numerous characteristics. Practitioner Summary: Earplugs comfort conditions the hearing protection of the users. The COPROD questionnaire was developed to jointly evaluate all dimensions of comfort. Nine earplugs models were evaluated by 118 participants during 6 weeks. This paper presents analyses of the collected data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and working environment of bus drivers is compromised in low-middle-income countries like Pakistan which leads to burnout and excessive Road Traffic Crashes. Hence, this study delves into factors affecting their safe operations from health and work environment perspectives and measures their associated stress and Burnout level. In a study of four hundred and ninety-nine (499), 86% city and 14% transit bus drivers are surveyed through a questionnaire. Stress is estimated for city and transit bus drivers, using the Effort/Reward Imbalance Model (ERI) of Siegrist, and burnout is calculated using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). For the determination of important determinants, descriptive and regression analyses are conducted. Findings show that stress has emerged as a negative factor for the physical and psychological health of city and transit bus drivers. Results based on bus drivers' responses suggest that organisational awareness and emphasis on health and safety levels can significantly reduce driver stress and burnout. Practitioner Summary: This study explores burnout and work-related stress of bus drivers in Lahore (Pakistan). City and transit bus drivers were interviewed through a questionnaire, containing three sections, using different subjective ratings based upon their past reliability. Results indicate that stress in bus drivers emerged as a physical and psychological health-damaging factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial exoskeletons are globally developed, explored, and increasingly implemented in industrial workplaces. Multiple technical, physical, and psychological aspects should be assessed prior to their daily application in various occupational environments. The methodology for evaluating these aspects is not standardised and differs in terms of focussed research objectives, used types of analyses, applied testing procedures, and use cases. The aim of this paper is to provide a matrix comparing the prevalence of different types of analyses combined with their respective research objective(s). A systematic review in the database 'Web of Science' identified 74 studies, mainly in laboratory settings, with a focus on short-term effects as well as with male-dominated samples being low representative for industrial workforces. The conducted evaluation methodologies are further discussed and compared in terms of testing procedure, sample, and research objectives. Finally, relevant aspects for prospectively evaluating industrial exoskeletons in a more harmonised and comprehensive way are suggested. Practitioner summary: Industrial exoskeletons are still inconsistently and insufficiently evaluated in scientific studies, which might hamper the comparability of systems, threaten the human health, and block an iterative system optimisation. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation methodology is needed with harmonised and multicriteria types of analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire-fighters use informal strategies to manage risks to health and safety during operations. It is not known whether such strategies are used during the high-risk alarm response period. The aim of this study was to determine if informal risk management strategies are employed by Australian firefighters during the alarm response procedure, and if these strategies differ between salaried and retained personnel. Forty-six metropolitan firefighters (all male; mean age 38 years ± 10 years; 22 salaried; 24 retained) participated in semi-structured group interviews. A general inductive data analysis approach revealed that firefighters use multiple informal risk management strategies. Some similar themes were reported by both salaried and retained personnel, for example leveraging team dynamics, communication about sleep and fatigue, stress adaptation, informal debriefs, and enhancing physical preparedness. These findings could be used by fire services to tailor risk management approaches during the alarm response period. Practitioner summary: Identifying informal risk management strategies firefighters use during alarm response will allow their development, refinement and dissemination, and may help other firefighters and emergency service workers to manage these risks. This qualitative study reveals multiple informal strategies that firefighters employ during alarm response to keep themselves and their team-mates safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Process performance measurement (PPM) has become a challenging task for organisations, which have many various processes, in today's globalised world. This challenging task is also remarkable in ergonomics, and combining sustainability with ergonomics can provide beneficial solutions for assessing risks and providing ergonomically favourable conditions for human well-being. In this paper, new ergonomics indicators (EIs) are proposed, classified, and described in detail to overcome this challenge through a systematic literature review that integrates ergonomics and sustainability. By considering sustainability indicators (SIs) selected from the review, the proposed EIs are presented within a three-dimensional structure. This structure enables measuring the performance on various issues in an organisation such as occupational health and safety, decent work, technology, working conditions, employee empowerment and development, charities, innovations, and recycling. Through systematic measurements using these indicators, more traceable and manageable processes can be achieved. Hence, ergonomists or managers can identify and prevent risky conditions practically. Practitioner Summary: This paper proposes ergonomics indicators and detailed descriptions for ensuring sustainable process performance measurement in ergonomics. The sustainability indicators presented as references for these proposals are utilised through selection and consolidation from literature. The ergonomics indicators are structured within a sustainability framework that considers six sustainability sub-dimensions proposed for ergonomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firefighter hoods must provide protection from elevated temperatures and products of combustion (e.g. particulate) while simultaneously being wearable (comfortable and not interfering with firefighting activities). The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of (1) hood design (traditional knit hood vs particulate-blocking hood), (2) repeated laundering, and (3) hood removal method (traditional vs overhead doffing) on (a) protection from soot contamination on the neck, (b) heat stress and (c) wearability measures. Using a fireground exposure simulator, 24 firefighters performed firefighting activities in realistic smoke and heat conditions using a new knit hood, new particulate-blocking hood and laundered particulate-blocking hood. Overall, soot contamination levels measured from neck skin were lower when wearing the laundered particulate-blocking hoods compared to new knit hoods, and when using the overhead hood removal process. No significant differences in skin temperature, core temperature, heart rate or wearability measures were found between the hood conditions. Practitioner Summary: The addition of a particulate-blocking layer to firefighters' traditional two-ply hood was found to reduce the PAH contamination reaching the neck but did not affect heat stress measurements or thermal perceptions. Modifying the process for hood removal resulted in a larger reduction in neck skin contamination than design modification. Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; B: new particulate-blocking hood and PPE (PPE configuration); FES: fireground exposure simulator; GI: gastrointestinal; K: new knit hood and PPE (PPE configuration); L: laundered particulate-blocking hood and PPE (PPE configuration); LOD: limit of detection; MLE: maximum likelihood estimation; NFPA: National fire protection association; PAH: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; PPE: personal protective equipment; SCBA: self-contained breathing apparatus; THL: total heat loss; TPP: thermal protective performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that safety climate predicts safety outcomes in various occupational settings. One important component of safety climate is employees' perceived priorities of safety in an organisation relative to other operational demands (e.g. productivity or efficiency). The relationships between three dimensions of employee perceptions of safety priorities (company, supervisor, worker), employee safety behaviour and self-reported injury outcomes were examined in the current study. Survey data were collected from 858 field workers (a response rate of 89%) at a TV-cable installation company. Results showed that all three dimensions of employee perceptions of safety priorities had significant and unique positive relationships with employee safety behaviour. Furthermore, safety behaviour was a significant mediator of the relationship between the three types of perceived safety priorities and missed work days due to workplace injury. The results showed the value of addressing employee perceptions of safety priorities across organisational levels when trying to improve workplace safety and reduce costly injuries. Practitioner Summary: The study examined relationships between the three different organisational levels of employee perceptions of safety priorities and employee safety behaviour and injury outcomes. The results demonstrated the value of addressing employee perceptions of safety priorities held by different levels of management as well as the worker level to improve workplace safety and reduce costly injuries. Abbreviations: AIC: Akaike Information Criterion; BIC: Bayesian Information Criterion; CFA: confirmatory factor analysis; CFI: comparative fit index; CI: confidence interval; NAICS: the North American Industry Classification System; RMSEA: root mean square errors of approximation; SB: safety behavior; SD: standard deviation; SE: standard error; SIC: the standard industrial class; SP: safety priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Servicing and maintaining wind turbines may expose wind turbine technicians (wind techs) to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards. We aimed to characterise MSD hazard exposures and identify work elements that should be prioritised for MSD prevention efforts. A cross-sectional online survey methodology gathered data from 144 wind techs based on a convenience, non-probability sampling approach. The survey was developed using resources from the Ontario MSD Prevention Guideline, where cognitive interviewing yielded wind tech specific modifications. Climbing was the most physically demanding task, followed by torqueing/tensioning and manual materials handling (MMH). However, working in awkward and constrained postures emerged as the task most likely to cause or aggravate discomfort. Injecting ergonomic and human factors principles into wind turbine design should be a high priority. Re-engineering tools like torque tensioning devices may reduce MSD hazard exposures associated with tasks including torqueing/tensioning and MMH. We know little about musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards associated with green jobs. By surveying wind turbine technicians, we learned that MSD hazards exists, and can be addressed by better considering human factors/ergonomics principles in the design of wind turbines and the tools required for service and maintenance operations. Abbreviations: MSD: musculoskeletal disorder; MMH: manual materials handling; Wind techs: wind turbine technicians; CRE-MSD: centre of research expertise for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders; CanWEA: Canadiarn wind energy association; HFE: human factors/ergonomics; ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers; CSA: Canadian Standards Association [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency response data of human body vibration are often used for standardisation, design of transport vehicles and occupational health and safety measures. This article shows that the commonly used methods of averaging frequency response spectra, such as arithmetic averaging in the complex or magnitude domain and median averaging, are not as suitable as the less commonly used geometric averaging in the complex domain. This is because it is necessary to minimise the deviation of the measured values about the mean value and to minimise the bias from the true mean value due to noise, distortion and nonlinearity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human factors, as perceived by the maintenance workforce, were used as the measure for comparing work areas within a petroleum company. These factors were then compared to an objective measure of reliability (Mean Time Between Failures) in order to determine which factors would be most predictive of plant reliability and process safety. Maintenance personnel were surveyed using scales based on Problem-solving, Vigilance, Design and maintenance, Job-related feedback and Information about change. Analysis of Variance was used to assess the strength of these variables in relation to Reliability Level. Significant differences were observed between different reliability levels based on workforce perceptions of problem-solving requirements and the design and maintainability of plant. Conclusions were that perceptions of human factors in the workplace can be predictive of group-level performance, and that if issues relating to design and maintainability are not addressed at the design stage, greater problem-solving abilities will be required from maintenance personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the effects of ergonomics interventions on work-related upper limb musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, and on productivity in sonographers, surgeons and dentists. A total of 31 studies were included. All studies reported effects on upper limb pain. Nine studies reported effects on dysfunction and only two studies reported effects on productivity. Moderately strong evidence in reducing upper limb pain was found for instigation of microbreaks into long duration surgical procedures, and the use of wider, lighter handles in dental instruments. Moderate evidence was also found for use of prismatic glasses and favourable positioning in reducing upper limb pain. Weak, inconsistent or no evidence was found for all other ergonomics interventions in reducing upper limb pain and dysfunction and increasing productivity. The lack of high quality research, particularly in sonographers and in the outcome of productivity, should be addressed. Practitioner summary: This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of ergonomics interventions on upper limb pain, dysfunction and productivity in sonographers, dentists and surgeons. Instigation of microbreaks during long duration procedures and the use of wider, lighter instrument handles were most effective in reducing upper limb work-related pain. Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; CLS: conventional laparoscopic surgery; DMAIC: define, measure, analyze, improve and control; GRADE: grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations; HD: high definition; PRISMA: preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses; PROSPERO: The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; RCT: randomised control trial; SILS: single incision laparoscopic surgery; VITOM: video telescopic operative microscope; WNSWLHD: Western New South Wales Local Health District; WMSD: work related musculoskeletal disorder [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postural instability is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal falls in the construction industry. This study investigated the effects of working posture, lifting load and standing surface on perceived postural instability. Thirty young males performed simulated lifting tasks in construction using six different postures under four experimental conditions (2 loads × 2 surfaces). Results showed working postures with bending at the waist and overhead carrying were associated with high postural instability. With lifting load and inclined standing surface both significantly increased postural instability for all working postures except the full squatting. Full squatting with lifting load was more stable than without load for the flat surface, but opposite for the inclined surface. These findings indicate three investigated factors had not only significant main effects, but also complicated interaction effects on postural instability, implying that all three factors should be considered simultaneously for the real practice on fall prevention in construction. Practitioner summary: The leading causes of worker deaths in the construction industry were falls. This study showed that working postures with waist bending and overhead carrying were associated with high postural instability. With lifting load and inclined standing surface both significantly increased postural instability for all working postures except the full squatting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground workplaces (UWS) are increasingly being recognised as a sustainable solution to concerns regarding lack of space facing megacities. UWS can multiply available space by reducing urban sprawl thereby improving quality of life in cities. However, developing workplaces that respond to the needs and preferences of occupants will be a crucial factor in determining the success of this concept. We examine the experiences of existing full-time employees of a large underground facility in North America and analyse how these are related to company policies and other organisational factors. From in-depth interviews of 73 participants, three predominant themes emerged from the analyses: environmental effects (e.g. lack of sunlight), design (e.g. the unique working environment), and organisational factors and social dynamics (e.g. policies regarding breaks). We discuss these themes in relation with interventions that may improve employee comfort and retention and suggest that many factors are within organisational control. Practitioner Summary: Underground workplaces are a sustainable solution to lack of urban space. However, developing effective workplaces is crucial to their success. We examine the experiences of existing employees of an underground facility in North America. We suggest that most negative attitudes towards underground spaces can be mitigated through simple organisational interventions. Abbreviations: UWS: underground workplaces; IRB: institutional review board [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry, specifically masonry, reports more work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) rates than the general industry. Masonry apprentices are assumed to be healthy, yet may have WMSDs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), time loss, and healthcare use among apprentices. 183 brick and block masonry apprentices completed surveys on demographics, work history, MSS, and functional well-being. The prevalence of MSS was calculated by body region, time loss, and healthcare use. The relationship between MSS, and perceived global physical and mental health was assessed. Approximately 78% of apprentices reported MSS, most in several body regions. Low back and wrists/hands were most prevalent, although few missed work or sought healthcare. Lower functional health and well-being was reported. Apprentices reported MSS comparable to previous studies of journey-level masons. Apprenticeship programmes could integrate ergonomics education to help apprentices develop safety culture early in their careers. Practitioner Summary: New masonry workers (apprentices) are assumed to be healthy yet work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) may be common early in their career. The prevalence of MSS was assessed among apprentices. Approximately 78% of apprentices reported MSS, most in several body regions, comparable to journey-level masons. Abbreviations: WMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorders; MSS: musculoskeletal symptoms; SAVE: SAfety voice for ergonomics; MNQ: modified nordic questionnaire; FTE: full-time equivalent; SF-12: short from-12v2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which discusses several articles in the issue on topics including how computational modelling methods can supplement or augment current systems ergonomics methods; and computational methods in ergonomics.

With increasingly complex safety-critical systems like healthcare being developed and managed, there is a need for a tool that permits decision-makers to better understand the complexity, test various strategies and guide effective changes. System Dynamics (SD) modelling is an effective approach that can aid strategic decision-making in healthcare systems but has been underutilised partly due to the challenge of engaging healthcare stakeholders in the modelling process. This paper, therefore, investigates the applicability of a participatory SD approach based on healthcare workers' perspectives on ease of use (usability) and usefulness (utility). The study developed an interactive simulation dashboard platform which facilitated participatory simulation for exploring various hospital pharmacy staffing level arrangements and their impacts on interruptions, fatigue, workload, rework, productivity and safety. The findings reveal that participatory SD approach can enhance team learning by converging on a shared mental model, aid decision-making and identifying trade-offs. The implications of these findings are discussed as well as experience and lessons learned on modelling facilitation. Practitioner Summary: This paper reports the perspectives of healthcare workers, who were engaged with a participatory system dynamics modelling and simulation process for hospital pharmacy staffing level management. Evaluative feedback revealed that the participatory SD approach can be a valuable tool for participatory ergonomics by helping the participants gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamic interactions between workload, rework, safety and efficiency. Abbreviations: SD: system dynamics; ETTO: efficiency-thoroughness trade-off [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Job rotation is an organisational strategy that can be used, in part, to reduce occupational exposure to physical risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Recent studies, however, suggest that job rotation schedules may increase the overall risk of injury to workers included in the rotation scheme. We describe a novel optimisation framework evaluating the effectiveness of a job rotation scheme using the fatigue failure model of MSD development and a case study with real injury data. Results suggest that the effect of job rotation is highly-dependent on the composition of the job pool, and inclusion of jobs with higher risk results in a drastic decrease in the effectiveness of rotation for reducing overall worker risk. The study highlights that in cases when high-risk jobs are present, job redesign of those high risk tasks should be the primary focus of intervention efforts rather than job rotation. Practitioner summary: Job rotation is often used in industry as a method to 'balance' physical demands experienced by workers to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk. This article examines the efficacy of reducing MSDs through job rotation using numerical simulation of job rotation strategies and utilising the fatigue failure model of MSD development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAMP II is an observation-based tool developed for assessing a wide range of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors related to industrial manual handling. RAMP II, which is part of the RAMP tool, is based on research studies and expert judgments. The assessment relies mainly on direct or video observations of the work being assessed, but additionally on measured push/pull forces and weights of handled objects, and on perceived workload and discomfort. Over 80 practitioners participated in the development of the tool. According to the evaluations, 73% of the assessment items evaluated had acceptable reliability, and the majority of the potential end-users reported that RAMP II is usable for assessing risks and as a decision base. It is concluded that this study provides support that RAMP II is usable for risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in industrial manual handling. Practitioner summary: RAMP II is an observation-based assessment tool for screening and assessing major musculoskeletal exposures in industrial manual handling jobs. Over 80 practitioners participated in the development of the tool. This study provides support that RAMP II is usable for risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in industrial manual handling. Abbreviations: CTS: carpal tunnel syndrome; HARM: the Hand Arm Risk Assessment method; IMP: intramuscular pressure; κw: linearly weighted kappa; LBD: lower back disorders; LBP: lower back pain; MAWL: maximum acceptable weight of lift; MHO: manual handling operations; MSD: musculoskeletal disorder; MNSD: neck-shoulder disorder; NSP: neck-shoulder pain; OCRA: the Occupational Repetitive Action methods; OHS: occupational health and safety; PABAK: prevalence and bias adjusted kappa; p0: proportion of agreement; RAMP: Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively; ROM: range of motion; RPL: risk and priority level; RSI: the Revised Strain Index; RULA: the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment; SWEA: Swedish Work Environment Authority; UEMSDs: upper-extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders; WMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorder; WRMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorder; workday8h: eight hours workday [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handling tasks can expose workers to risk factors. The objective was to describe the feasibility of using magnetic and inertial measurement units (MIMUs) to quantify the physical exposure of materials handlers in the workplace. Full-body kinematics were obtained with MIMUs on 10 handlers gathering products ordered by retailers with a pallet truck. An observer classified the visual difference (VD) of segment orientation between a MIMUs avatar and video recordings in three categories (none, minor and major) for each product transfer. The feet, arms, shoulders and head were considered similar for ≥97% of observations. The trunk segment obtained the most differences with 9% of minor VD and 5% of major VD, which were related to the duration of the magnetic disturbances of the MIMUs. Estimating parameters of the physical exposure of handlers in the workplace is feasible with kinematics and an order list, but visual verification remains important for scientific rigour. Practitioner Summary: The feasibility of measuring physical exposure with magnetic and inertial measurement units was evaluated on materials handlers in the workplace. Visual observation of the postures indicated that most of the data is considered acceptable. Magnetic disturbances can increase the measurement error, so data must be verified to ensure validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an innovative safety training method based on digital ergonomics simulations and serious games, which are games that focus on education. Digital ergonomics is intended to disseminate the culture of safety among workers, while serious games are used to train the operators on specific safety procedures and verify their skills. The results of the experimentation in a real industrial environment showed that, compared to the traditional training methodology, multimedia contents and quantitative ergonomic analyses improve the level of attention and the awareness of the workers about their own safety. However, serious games turned out to be promising training tools with regard to standard operating procedures that are usually difficult or dangerous to simulate in a real working scenario without stopping production. Practitioner summary: Digital ergonomics and serious games are used to disseminate the culture of safety among the workers and for safety training. Our results show that the proposed methodology improves the level of attention and provides a better feedback about the actual skills of the workers than the standard educational strategies. Abbreviations: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]