A comprehensive framework for physical evaluation of manual material handling tasks

While designing a worksystem for manual material handling (MMH) tasks, consideration of physical evaluation is of paramount importance in order to identify and minimise both short-term and long-term risks. In this context, assessment of occupational risk factors associated with the physical environment of a worksystem is a critical research need. In this paper, a generic framework for physical evaluation of MMH tasks is proposed. Four kinds of physical environment may be considered in this approach. This framework has been applied for a typical masonry job in a construction site located in Eastern India particularly with respect to effect of thermal environment. Representative sample of 23 male workers were examined. The metabolic rate among mason workers was calculated to be 602.633 W for an average temperature and humidity of 35.9°C and 55.5% RH, respectively. However, relevant solutions for improvements, such as introduction of rest allowances, etc., were suggested.

[1]  Rina Maiti,et al.  Workload assessment in building construction related activities in India. , 2008, Applied ergonomics.

[2]  H F van der Molen,et al.  Evaluation of methods to assess push/pull forces in a construction task. , 2001, Applied ergonomics.

[3]  J F Sallis,et al.  Compendium of physical activities: classification of energy costs of human physical activities. , 1993, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[4]  Jose A. Ballesteros,et al.  Noise emission evolution on construction sites. Measurement for controlling and assessing its impact on the people and on the environment , 2010 .

[5]  B. Karthikeyan,et al.  Simulation of foundry environment for improving occupational exposure to heat stress conditions , 2008 .

[6]  B W Olesen,et al.  International standards and the ergonomics of the thermal environment. , 1995, Applied ergonomics.

[7]  David R. Riley,et al.  Loss of Labor Productivity due to Delivery Methods and Weather , 1999 .

[8]  Tao-Ming Cheng,et al.  A model used in creating a work-rest schedule for laborers , 2009 .

[9]  Peter Vi,et al.  Searching for needles in a haystack: identifying innovations to prevent MSDs in the construction sector. , 2010, Applied ergonomics.

[10]  K C Parsons,et al.  Ergonomics of the physical environment: international ergonomics standards concerning speech communication, danger signals, lighting, vibration and surface temperatures. , 1995, Applied ergonomics.

[11]  B E Ainsworth,et al.  Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. , 2000, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[12]  Fu-Lin Chang,et al.  Work fatigue and physiological symptoms in different occupations of high-elevation construction workers. , 2009, Applied ergonomics.

[13]  A Burdorf,et al.  Interrelations of risk factors and low back pain in scaffolders , 2001, Occupational and environmental medicine.

[14]  Shilei Lu,et al.  Productivity model in hot and humid environment based on heat tolerance time analysis , 2009 .

[15]  K. F. H. Murrell,et al.  Human performance in industry , 1965 .

[16]  Jose A. Ballesteros,et al.  Noise exposure of workers of the construction sector , 2009 .

[17]  R. Maiti,et al.  Study on the variation of peak isometric strength and EMG activity in static field-simulated lifting postures , 2004 .

[18]  D. E. Welcome,et al.  Evaluation of psychometric estimates of vibratory hand-tool grip and push forces , 2006 .

[19]  E A Koningsveld,et al.  History and future of ergonomics in building and construction. , 1997, Ergonomics.

[20]  Y. Juang,et al.  Effect of elevation change on work fatigue and physiological symptoms for high-rise building construction workers , 2008 .

[21]  Tapan P. Bagchi,et al.  Effect of different multipliers and their interactions during manual lifting operations , 2006 .

[22]  Korb Srinavin,et al.  Thermal environment and construction workers' productivity: some evidence from Thailand , 2003 .

[23]  R. Handy,et al.  Cardiovascular metrics and transepidermal water loss in a high heat risk environment , 2008 .

[24]  Serdar Ulubeyli,et al.  A different approach to construction labour in Turkey: comparative productivity analysis , 2004 .

[25]  P. Fanger.  Moderate Thermal Environments Determination of the PMV and PPD Indices and Specification of the Conditions for Thermal Comfort , 1984 .