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This paper examines basic aspects of determining strain due to noise on workers in an industrial environment. Technological development enables better working conditions which then demands changes in methods for measuring strain and stress loadings. A modified method is now presented since the existing method for determining strains caused by exposure to noise is proving insufficient. The objective of the modified method is to eliminate the shortcomings of the existing method by taking into account the complex effects of noise in specific working environments. The effects of exposure to noise will be assessed by using a new strain-assessment procedure which incorporates the effects of nature of noise, characteristics of noise, current standards on protection from noise, and the influence of noise on different jobs. This new noise-assessment approach uses new measurement techniques based on tonality and impulsive noise corrections. The modified method has been tested at various workplaces in the metal-working industry. A comparison of the results obtained by using both methods confirms the suitability of the modified method, thus providing a more complete approach to evaluating strain due to noise.

As part of our research, we have produced an overview of various aspects and challenges related to the ageing population. Ergonomics plays a crucial role in addressing the needs and challenges associated with an ageing workforce. As people age, their physical abilities and sensory functions tend to change, which can affect their comfort, safety and productivity in different work environments. A case study is presented that aims to test available new technologies, the Xsens suit and Process Simulate software, during a process of ergonomic workplace design that is also suitable for older people. Applying ergonomic principles to meet the needs of older workers can help maintain their well-being and keep them engaged in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of our study was to research the benefits of motion capture technology, also known as mocap, in ergonomic workplace analysis and design. It is well known that with proper ergonomic design, we can achieve shorter production throughput time, higher productivity, and lower costs with fewer human errors and injuries. In addition to all other environmental factors such as noise, lighting, temperature, humidity, and air velocity, worker movement should also be considered and evaluated. A motion capture technology is used to record and track human or objects movements and translate them into a digital format, saving time and effort needed for animation process. The data obtained can later be easily used for ergonomic analysis and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work is one of the basic factors of human life. It is well known that appropriate workplace design can contribute to healthy and satisfied worker and this fact is even more important when we talk about workers with disabilities. In the field of ergonomics workplace design there is rarely any expert knowledge regarding workers with disabilities. Those workers are also more sensitive for stress at work and possible injuries that are usually connected with non-adequate workplace design. On the other hand, companies face the problem of identifying suitable workplaces for workers with disabilities, and supplying the needed requirements to integrate them with other healthy workers. The purpose of our research was to present an approach of ergonomically designed workplace for workers with disabilities. Manual and computer aided OWAS analyses were performed to assess present indicator light assembly workplace in a large sized production company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper presents the results of testing firefighter protective equipment. During interventions, firefighters are exposed to strain and stress and above all they are exposed to high temperatures and working in extreme thermal conditions. Since clothes protect firefighter and actually presents the barrier for heat exchange, it is very important to know their characteristics (e.g. thermal insulation) when creating and designing suitable clothes that will offer also normal movement and comfort during work. For testing different protective clothes, thermal manikins are usually used. Thermal manikins represent the anatomical shape of human body and in this way represent a measuring tool. During our research, data on nineteen segments of thermal manikin was observed and thermal insulation was calculated. Thermal insulation usually plays an important role when researching or developing optimal protective clothes used in hot environmental conditions. For studying suitability of firefighters movements' two ergonomics methods were used: OWAS and RULA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is still increasing and since these injuries cause high costs for companies and whole society it is important to prevent them through ergonomic analysis and workplace design. Methods for assessing external load are numerous and they differ in the stages of assessment. They also differ in the body area they assess (the load of the back, the upper and lower limbs independently or provide a total assessment) and the types of work tasks they focus on. In the paper the review of the most common methods for assessing body postures is presented. Beside generally known methods such as OWAS, RULA, REBA, NIOSH and others also newly methods usually developed in companies for specific purposes are discussed such as PEIL, ERIN and Ergocheck. Since methods are usually dedicated to a restricted type of work task and restricted body area the review of different ergonomics analysis could be of benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders has been increasing in most industries and occupations. Since these injuries impose high costs on employers and society it is important to prevent it through ergonomic assessment and job redesign. The paper presents a research of the workplace ophthalmic nurse regarding strain and stress. In the workplace the Intravenous Fluorescein angiography or fluorescent angiography is made which is a technique for examining the circulation of the retina and choroids using a fluorescent dye and specialized camera. The working procedure is complex and since nurses must assist in several forced positions for longer time ergonomic analyses were made aimed to determine strain and stress at workplace. For assessment of body postures OWAS analysis was performed manually and using computer simulation. The results obtained using computer simulations are comparable to manually performed research for most body positions except for bent and twisted back. Body postures of upper limb, lower limb and neck were exposed as harmful for nurse during working procedure and according to OWAS changes are needed in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing ergonomic principle into work is very important. Since work is one of the basic factors of human life appropriate designed workplace can contribute to healthy and satisfied worker. Beside that ergonomically designed workplace also improves worker's efficiency at work and decreases the possibility of injuries. The aim of the presented research was to determine whether the work area within a chosen retail shop was safe and effective enough. The OWAS method was used aimed to estimate the body postures during the working day. It was discovered that certain body positions resulted in significant overload which meant that certain remedies were necessary during the working process to prevent possible damage to the body. As a result an innovative system with moving shelves was proposed in order to prevent the shopkeeper from awkward body postures. Similar solutions can be found in industrial warehouses and could solve problems that occur during overhead work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]