Citation

Li G, Haslegrave CM. Ergonomics 1999; 42(8): 1060-1086.

Affiliation

Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Management, University of Nottingham, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/001401399185144

PMID

10504890

Abstract

An awkward and static work posture has been recognized as a risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal problems. The objective of this study was to investigate some of the factors that can influence the posture adopted during work and in particular aspects of the task and how their influence is affected by work height. Three types of task were studied: a peg-hole assembly task, which was largely manual with very little visual component; a visual character identification task; and a combination of the two. Two levels of difficulty were included in each of the manual and visual elements. Postures of the head/neck, trunk and arm were recorded during performance of these tasks. The results showed that type and difficulty of task do influence the posture adopted, and that some of the postural responses (although complex) are predictable so that poor postures could be improved by adjusting task design in addition to workplace layout.

Language: en