JournalTOCs

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.117

Number of Followers: 21

Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
ISSN (Print) 2045-7804 - ISSN (Online) 2045-7812
Published by Inderscience Publishers

[439 journals]

Ergonomic assessment of repetitive work time as a key parameter for job
rotation schedules
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  Authors: Mahd M. Alzoubi, Dallas H. Snider
  Pages: 1 - 14
  Abstract: Repetitive work, awkward postures, and load handling, along with their associated efforts, constitute one of the main causes of occupational diseases in the agricultural industry. The purpose was to design a job rotation schedule that considers the ergonomic risk and production demands that are proper for the rose harvesting tasks. The ergonomic risk was assessed through the OCRA index, which was used as a task assignment parameter. Through a case study carried out in the Colombian flower industry, respective OCRA index values for the right (3.3) and left (2.5) upper limbs in the rose harvest activities were observed. In this case, a network-structure-based task programming model was introduced as the basis for the solution. The objective function (OF) yielded a feasible solution value Z = 20.1. This indicates a decreased effort resulting from the task allocation flow, which preserves the productivity of the tasks of the harvest area of the six companies under study.
  Keywords: scheduling job; rotation; ergonomics; risk assessment; OCRA index
  Citation: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023) pp. 1 - 14
  PubDate: 2023-01-26T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2023.128572
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
Hand tool evaluation: a review of existing hand tool evaluation and
selection studies
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  Authors: Zhonglun Wang, Richard T. Stone, Joseph Yun-Ming Kim
  Pages: 15 - 40
  Abstract: Hand tools were designed to increase workplace efficiency by improving work performance, preventing injuries, and increasing product quality. However, improper tool selection can cause costly losses and long-term decreases in productivity and safety. To prevent this, hand tool selection should be based on both engineering and ergonomics evaluations. This literature review provided a literature foundation for creating such hand tool selection method by reviewing over 100 hand tool research articles from 1945 to 2020 and categorised them into two categories: comprehensive hand tool evaluation systems and ergonomics hand tool evaluation studies. The literature from the two categories' research topics was summarised in two tables. Existing hand tool evaluation systems emphasised hand tool design and hazard outputs; ergonomics hand tool studies focused on users' feedback and user-tool performance. It became apparent that no comprehensive evaluation method reveals that no system can adequately provide buyers with sufficient information to make reasonable purchasing decisions. This literature review revealed the limitations of existing hand tool evaluation systems and ergonomics hand tool studies, presenting the future need for a financially-oriented, comprehensive hand tool evaluation system.
  Keywords: hand tool; ergonomics; evaluation; checklist; guide
  Citation: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023) pp. 15 - 40
  PubDate: 2023-01-26T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2023.128584
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
An application of building information modelling-based approach and
current developments towards ergonomic risk assessment in the construction
sector - a systematic review
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  Authors: Akshi Kunwar Singh, Bikarama Prasad Yadav, Abhishek Singh Yadav
  Pages: 41 - 65
  Abstract: For ages, construction has been obligatory in human life and more so in today's technologically advanced society. The construction sector includes several activities like brick masonry, plastering, carpentry and various other activities that involve complex and awkward working postures, which may lead to work in the long run related to musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, ergonomics assessment of the construction sector is of utmost importance. Literature indicates that several tools and techniques for ergonomics risk assessment of construction sites are available, e.g., pre-job assessment check, smartphone-based sensor methods, workers posture assessment, maximum lifting strength test and building information modelling (BIM). The current review focuses on the ergonomic aspects of the construction industry, emphasising the optimisation of worksites and equipment with design modifications applying ergonomic interventions. The paper further demonstrates the application of the hybrid technique of simulating construction sites and ergonomics risk assessment of the same using BIM.
  Keywords: ergonomic assessment; ergonomic risk; construction industry; rapid entire body assessment; Ovako working posture assessment system; building information modelling; BIM
  Citation: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023) pp. 41 - 65
  PubDate: 2023-01-26T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2023.128574
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
Digital privacy of smartphone camera-based assistive technology for users
with visual disabilities
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  Authors: Akshi Kunwar Singh, Bikarama Prasad Yadav, Abhishek Singh Yadav
  Pages: 66 - 84
  Abstract: Smartphone users with visual disabilities often use camera-based assistive technology applications such as Seeing AI, BeMyEyes, and TapTapSee apps in identifying people and objects. As personal information could be shared, digital privacy issues are critical to those with visual disabilities. However, little is known about user perspectives on digital privacy issues - e.g., the degree to which those with visual disabilities understand user privacy policies and the degree to which they intend to adopt those apps. To address the knowledge gap, this study conducted interviews with a convenience sample of 30 participants with visual disabilities. The results indicate that those with visual disabilities had a lack of knowledge about privacy policies and potential risks of privacy and security breaches of personal information. The results contributed to forming a conceptual framework that contains a list of facilitators and barriers to user adoption, which could serve as a knowledge foundation for many other researchers and professionals to support and enhance users' privacy awareness, accessible to users with visual disabilities.
  Keywords: visual impairment; blindness; user privacy; assistive technology; smartphone camera
  Citation: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023) pp. 66 - 84
  PubDate: 2023-01-26T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2023.128575
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
A mathematical modelling approach for analysing the risk of low back pain
in college students using student desks
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  Authors: Priyadarshini Dasgupta, Lisa M. Kuhn, Kazim Sekeroglu, Aadhar Prasai
  Pages: 85 - 112
  Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is frequently experienced by the occupational population who are necessitated to use chairs daily. At least one study has shown that disc degeneration can start as early as the teenage years. Moreover, college students spend excessive amounts of time sitting on non-ergonomic desks. The aim of our study was to determine if college students are entering the work force predisposed to LBP. An anonymous survey was conducted on 280 students and modelling was conducted using three approaches: machine learning, dynamical systems, and regression analysis. Supervised machine learning methods showed back pain can be predicted with high accuracy from the questionnaire. Mathematical predictive modelling was employed to determine the risk of chronic back pain as a result of using the student desks. Results from the models indicated college students are experiencing significantly more back pain than has been reported in studies on the general population.
  Keywords: mathematical modelling; predictive analysis; disc degeneration; low back pain; LBP; machine learning
  Citation: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023) pp. 85 - 112
  PubDate: 2023-01-26T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2023.128577
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)