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Open Access Articles

September 8, 2013

Counting Motions

A motion is a movement or exertion made by a major joint or body link. From the perspective of preventing musculoskeletal disorders, the concern is for […]
September 8, 2013

Static Load

Static load refers to sustained muscle contraction, such as the fatigue and pain of writer’s cramp from holding a pencil for a long period of time. […]
September 8, 2013

Force Guidelines

Common standards* (Most items apply to sustained work) Maximum two-handed lift (with vertical travel distance) 20 lbs Maximum two-handed carry (no vertical travel distance) 30 lbs […]
September 8, 2013

Lifting Guideline

The Lifting Guideline* incorporates a number of key variables in assessing the risk of injury associated with lifting. It provides a more useful approach than single-weight […]
September 8, 2013

Biomechanics

Biomechanical models are mathematical predictive equations that can be used in this manner to estimate loads on the human body. These models can be complex, including the […]
September 8, 2013

50 low-cost ergo improvements

(in development) Who says that good ergonomics has to cost a lot? Here are 50 useful techniques that you can apply at little or no expense […]
September 8, 2013

Anthropometry

Common dimensions Concept of 5th and 95th percentile It is conventional to refer to the 5th percentile (short) female and the 95th percentile (tall) male to […]
September 8, 2013

Posture Evaluation

Posture is characterized by measuring the angular relationship between various body links and a fixed frame of reference, usually another intuitive major body segment. The unit of […]
September 6, 2013

Grip Design

Too large Non-functional Principles affected Posture Force Fatigue Pressure points Clearance Related pages Hand tools Triggers Orientation Background The primary interface (and often the only interface) […]
September 6, 2013

Spool Handling

Lifting and handling Principles affected Posture Force Height Related pages Material handling Carts Lifter-transporters Lift trucks Hoists Background Spools (or reels or coils) of wire, cables, […]
September 6, 2013

Hopper Loading

Overhead reach Principles affected Posture Reach Height Motions Related pages Material handling Hoists Dumpers Workstations Platforms Background Parts hoppers provide an efficient technique for feeding materials […]
September 6, 2013

Drum/Barrel Handling

Heavy, hard to hold, hard to maneuver Principles affected Force Related pages Material handling  Dumpers Fork trucks  Lifter-transporters Background There are two interrelated issues: (1) moving […]
September 6, 2013

Lift Trucks

“Walkie” lift truck Principles affected Posture Force Height Related pages Material handling Lifts Lifter/transporters Carts Background Lift trucks constitute one of the most common examples of […]
September 6, 2013

Standard Hoists and Cranes

Standard hoist Principles affected Force Related pages Material handling Slides Manipulator arms Background Hoists are one of the traditional techniques for picking up heavy loads. However, […]
September 6, 2013

Pallets

Lifting heavy wood pallet High, hard-to-reach stack of pallets Principles affected Force Height Related pages Material handling Lifts Background The standard wooden pallets used throughout industry […]
September 6, 2013

Dumpers

Heavy work shoveling materials by hand Bending to scoop out materials by hand Principles affected Posture Force Motions Related pages Material handling Tilters Lifts Containers Hopper […]
September 6, 2013

Tilters

Before: Extreme bending, slow After: Tilters, easier and faster Principles affected Posture Force Reach Height Related pages An alternative is to useContainers with drop down sides in […]