Sistema automatizado de análisis de movimiento para la detección del factor de riesgo ergonómico en la industria de la construcción.

The present study aims to develop an automated ergonomic evaluation system, based on the OWAS method, for assessing a steel bar bending process performed at a construction company in Mexico. The system evaluates production operators' postures and movements by using Microsoft's Kinect sensor. To perform each ergonomic evaluation, the software processes information captured by the sensor, which detects movement of human body joints. The proposed methodology specifies the creation, development, and testing of the system during a repetitive operation, which is known historically for causing the highest number of injuries and work-related disabilities. The result is an automated tool capable of developing ergonomic evaluations in real time. Reliability and effectiveness is demonstrated statistically (95% confidence) by comparing the software's automated evaluation with that of an expert (traditional evaluation). It is concluded that the automated system developed here delivers ergonomic evaluations that yield reliable and safe results that can improve decisionmaking processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]