Revisited: Comparison of two techniques to establish maximum acceptable forces of dynamic pushing for male industrial workers

Abstract The purpose of this experiment was to replicate a previous psychophysical experiment [Ciriello, V.M., McGorry, R.W., Martin, S.E., Bezverkny, I.B., 1999b. Maximum acceptable forces of dynamic pushing: comparison of two techniques. Ergonomics 42, 32–39] which investigated maximum acceptable initial and sustained forces while performing a 7.6 m pushing task at a frequency of 1 min −1 on a magnetic particle brake treadmill versus pushing on a high-inertia pushcart. Fourteen male industrial workers performed both a 40-min treadmill pushing task and a 2-h pushcart task, with a unique water loading system, in the context of a larger experiment. During pushing, the subjects were asked to select a workload they could sustain for 8 h without “straining themselves or without becoming unusually tired, weakened, overheated or out of breath.” The results revealed that similar to the previous study maximum acceptable sustained forces of pushing determined on the high inertia cart were significantly higher (21%) than the forces determined from the magnetic particle brake treadmill. These results were countered by an 18% decrease in maximum acceptable forces for the criterion magnetic particle brake treadmill task, perhaps due to secular changes in the industrial population. Based on the present findings, it is concluded that the existing pushing data [Snook, S.H., Ciriello, V.M., 1991. The design of manual tasks: revised tables of maximum acceptable weights and forces. Ergonomics 34, 1197–1213] still provides an accurate estimate of maximal acceptable forces for this pushing distance and frequency. Relevance to industry Jobs are often redesigned to eliminate lifting and to include carts for transporting loads. Our database on maximum acceptable forces of pushing on a magnetic particle braked treadmill has been used as a tool to design manual handling tasks. This article links the existing database with actual cart pushing.

[1]  P Kivi,et al.  Analysis and improvement of work postures in the building industry: application of the computerised OWAS method. , 1991, Applied ergonomics.

[2]  H M Toussaint,et al.  The evaluation of a practical biomechanical model estimating lumbar moments in occupational activities. , 1994, Ergonomics.

[3]  W. Godwin.  Article in Press , 2000 .

[4]  Stover H. Snook,et al.  The Effects of Size, Distance, Height and Frequency on Manual Handling Performance , 1978 .

[5]  Ciriello Vm,et al.  The effects of task duration on psychophysically-determined maximum acceptable weights and forces , 1990 .

[6]  Stover H. Snook,et al.  Distributions of manual materials handling task parameters , 1999 .

[7]  S H Snook,et al.  The Effects of Age and Physique on Continuous-Work Capacity , 1971, Human factors.

[8]  D. Spengler,et al.  Back Injuries in Industry: A Retrospective Study: II. Injury Factors , 1986, Spine.

[9]  E A Clancy,et al.  Length of disability and cost of workers' compensation low back pain claims. , 1997, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[10]  B. J. Winer.  Statistical Principles in Experimental Design , 1992 .

[11]  A Garg,et al.  Revised NIOSH equation for the design and evaluation of manual lifting tasks. , 1993, Ergonomics.

[12]  S. Snook.  The design of manual handling tasks. , 1978, Ergonomics.

[13]  Kodak.  Ergonomic Design for People at Work , 1989 .

[14]  S H Snook,et al.  The design of manual handling tasks: revised tables of maximum acceptable weights and forces. , 1991, Ergonomics.

[15]  S H Snook,et al.  A Study of Size, Distance, Height, and Frequency Effects on Manual Handling Tasks , 1983, Human factors.

[16]  J J Knibbe,et al.  The physical and physiological workload of refuse collectors. , 1990, Ergonomics.

[17]  S H Snook,et al.  Maximum weights and work loads acceptable to male industrial workers. A study of lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, and walking tasks. , 1970, American Industrial Hygiene Association journal.

[18]  S E Mathiassen,et al.  Assessment of physical work load in epidemiologic studies: concepts, issues and operational considerations. , 1994, Ergonomics.

[19]  S H Snook,et al.  The effects of task duration on psychophysically-determined maximum acceptable weights and forces. , 1990, Ergonomics.

[20]  T K Courtney,et al.  Low back pain disability: relative costs by antecedent and industry group. , 2000, American journal of industrial medicine.

[21]  Claire C. Gordon,et al.  2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics , 2014 .

[22]  S H Snook.  Approaches to the control of back pain in industry: job design, job placement and education/training. , 1988, Occupational medicine.

[23]  R. D. Ray,et al.  Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors II , 1985 .

[24]  S. Snook,et al.  Maximum weights and work loads acceptable to female workers. , 1974, Occupational health nursing.

[25]  F Aghazadeh,et al.  Evaluating lifting tasks using subjective and biomechanical estimates of stress at the lower back. , 1991, Ergonomics.

[26]  P G Dempsey,et al.  Analysis of workers' compensation claims associated with manual materials handling. , 1999, Ergonomics.

[27]  Snook Sh,et al.  Approaches to the control of back pain in industry: job design, job placement and education/training. , 1988 .

[28]  Stover H. Snook,et al.  Survey of manual handling tasks , 1999 .

[29]  V M Ciriello,et al.  Maximum acceptable forces of dynamic pushing: comparison of two techniques. , 1999, Ergonomics.

[30]  G. H. Slusser,et al.  Statistical analysis in psychology and education , 1960 .

[31]  S H Snook,et al.  Further Studies of Psychophysically Determined Maximum Acceptable Weights and Forces , 1993, Human factors.

[32]  P. H. Jackson,et al.  Statistical analysis in psychology and education , 1960 .

[33]  A Burdorf,et al.  Measurement of trunk bending during work by direct observation and continuous measurement. , 1992, Applied ergonomics.

[34]  S. Snook,et al.  A study of three preventive approaches to low back injury. , 1978, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.

[35]  T K Courtney,et al.  Injury and illness in the American workplace: a comparison of data sources. , 1996, American journal of industrial medicine.