Citation

Mital A, Kromodihardjo S. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1986; 1(2): 91-101.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper, the second of a series of two papers, presents the results of biomechanical analyses of task variables in manual lifting activities. The three-dimensional dynamic biomechanical model, presented in part I was used to analyze compressive and shear forces generated during symmetrical and asymmetrical lifting, lifting boxes with or without handles, and lifting loads in different size boxes (defined by the box dimension in the sagittal plane). The measured ground reaction forces were also analyzed for the effects of these task variables. The results indicated that even though low-weights are accepted for lifting when lifting loads asymmetrically or in bigger boxes or when handling boxes without handles, the spinal stresses generated are, in general, significantly higher than when lifting loads symmetrically or in compart boxes or when handling boxes with handles. At the maximum acceptable weights of lift, the compressive forces generated were observed to be at least 30% to 50% lower than the compressive failure limit of the spinal structure.