The basic conditions of working in a healthy and safe workplace are to design the job in accordance with the anthropometric measurements, body strength and personal characteristics of the person, to ...ensure that the materials, machinery and equipment used in the working process are suitable for the employee's capacity, and to provide an environment that will produce positive psycho-social results. Correct analysis methods should be used and evaluated in order to meet this basic requirement. Identifying the negative effects of working postures, taking corrective measures and improving them is a critical step of an efficient working environment. Working postures that are not properly analyzed cause strain on workers and even discomfort. It provides important contributions in the field of analyzing and improving working postures with scientific methods, controlling work performance and reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System) and RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) are successfully applied in various fields in the analysis of working postures. In this study, it was aimed to determine the MSDs risk levels of the workers working in the rubber industry by OWAS and RULA methods and measures were proposed for these risks. While OWAS analysis was obtained by using expert opinions in the study, CATIAV5R20 program was used for RULA analysis. The study includes the examination of 5 different postures in total. In the OWAS and RULA results of the study, it was seen that the most risky postures are attach the rubber hose to the cores and to place the rubber hoses attached to the cores in the autoclave. The results of the analysis showed that the RULA method is more suitable and reliable than the OWAS method for the analysis of the tasks in the vulcanization process workstations.
Tehnološki procesi šivanja odjeće pripadaju zatvorenom tipu radnog mjesta s ustaljenim izvođenjem gdje radnik izvodi tehnološke operacije sličnih karakteristika. U tehnološkom procesu šivanja rad se ...izvodi u sjedećem položaju za šivaćim strojem, pri čemu radnik ručno i/ili strojno-ručno izvodi tehnološke zahvate. Tijekom izvođenja tehnoloških operacija radnik koristi ruke i trup za rukovanje izratkom, a noge za upravljanje gazilom šivaćeg stroja u kratkim intervalima uz kontinuirano ponavljanje tijekom cijele radne smjene čime je radnik izložen opterećenjima. Način izvođenja tehnoloških operacija ovisi o vrsti i karakteru izratka, vrsti i tehnološkoj opremljenosti šivaćeg stroja kao i uvježbanosti i vještini radnika. U radu su analizirani radni položaji radnika po tehnološkim zahvatima (uzimanje, međusobno postavljanje, šivanje, poravnavanje, odlaganje) na devet radnih mjesta u tehnološkom procesu šivanja korištenjem REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) i OWAS (Ovaco Working Analysing System) metode. Analizom dobivenih rezultata utvrđeno je da je na svim radnim mjestima prisutno opterećenje, što zahtijeva intervenciju na radnom mjestu u obliku preoblikovanja radnih mjesta. Preoblikovanje radnih mjesta obuhvaća pravilno projektiranje radnog sustava (čovjek-stroj-okolina) u skladu sa statičkim i dinamičkim antropometrijskim karakteristikama pojedinog radnika te određivanje povoljne metode rada čime se postiže niži stupanj radnog opterećenja i zamora.
Garment sewing is an industry with closed type workplaces where the workers continuously perform similar operations. The work requires sitting at a sewing machine, with the worker using his hands and performing machine-hand operations. The hands and the upper body manipulate the actual fabric and the feet/legs activate the sewing machine at short intervals that, when repeated for the entire duration of the working day, put a strain on the worker. The actual operations depend on the type and character of the garment, the type and technological performances of the sewing machine and on the worker’s skills for the job. The paper outlines the different body postures required for different operations (placing, lining up the pieces, sewing, straightening, depositing the garment in a suitable place) observed in nine different workplaces, using REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and OWAS (Ovaco Working Analysing System) methods. The results indicate that strain is present in all the studied workplaces, thus requiring interventions in the workplace design. The redesigning of the workplaces involves also coming up with a correct design of the overall work system (man-machine-environment) in keeping with the static and dynamic anthropometric characteristics of individual workers, as well as implementing the most favourable work process in order to ensure less strain and less fatigue.
Industry players are encouraged to automate as a result of technological advancements. However, due to lack of finances several businesses continue to require human labor in the production process, ...particularly in the operation of transferring items. Transportation activities at Dock 16 Ilir in Palembang City, starts with delivering items from the shop to the ship or vice versa by utilizing human strength in less ergonomic work positions with little consideration for the weight of the load. Whencarrying goods, the body is bent, the neck is bent, and the arms are distant from the body, putting the body at a very high risk of injury. This type of working position causes muscle aches ranging from mild to severe. The personnel seen in this investigation were rice transporters and cement transporters. The aim of this study is to quantify the workload and provide a design tool to help lessen worker concerns. The Nordic Body Map, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Ovako Working Analysis System (OWAS)methodologies were used in this investigation. The study's findings showed that the five cement transport workers and four rice transport workers were at risk of developing muscoskeletal illnesses, with a risk level of 3 to 4, indicating that the risk category is very high and comprehensive treatment is required as soon as feasible. According to the OWAS technique, the posture of rice transportation employees has a value of 3, indicating that they are at high danger. Meanwhile, the working posture of cement transportation has a score of 7 with a risk level of 4, indicating that the danger of MSDS is very high. The developing aids are projected to lower the danger of Muscoskeletal Disorders in a backpack-like style that can resist large loads and reduce the risk of Muscoskeletal Disorders.
SAŽETAK: U proizvodnim procesima odjevne industrije često dolazi do oboljenja mišićno-koštanog sustava prilikom izvođenja tehnoloških operacija u nepovoljnom radnom položaju i uz ponavljajuće ...izvođenje radnog zadatka. Stoga su razvijene metode za analizu radnog opterećenja s ciljem otkrivanja nepovoljnih radnih položaja tijela, gornjih i donjih udova. U radu su za analizu radnih uvjeta i radnih položaja korištene OADM (sloven. Ocenjevalna metoda delovnega mjesta) i OWAS (eng. Ovaco Working Analysing System) metode prilikom izvođenja tehnološke operacije sastava gornjeg i donjeg rukava na ženskoj jakni u tehnološkom procesu šivanja odjeće. Podaci dobiveni metodama upućuju na visok stupanj motoričke koordinacije tijela, ruku i nogu, pri čemu dolazi do prisilnih položaja tijela i glave kao posljedica nepovoljnih položaja sjedenja, neusklađenosti dimenzija radnog prostora, neadekvatne metode rada te nepovoljnih stanja radne okoline. Stoga je dan prijedlog za preoblikovanje radnog mjesta u skladu s tjelesnom visinom radnice, čime bi se smanjilo radno opterećenje i zamor radnice.
SUMMARY: In the garment industry the muscular and skeletal systems are subject to medical disorders due to specific the body posture during work which is aggravated by repetitious tasks. Methods have been developed to study the strain in question with the aim to identify bad body posture and improper position of the upper and lower extremities. The analysis is based on the method proposed by OWAS (Ovaco Working Analysing System), in particular for the stage involving the sewing together of the upper and lower sleeve on a women's jacket. The results indicate a high level of needed motor coordination of the body, arms and legs, whereby forced positioning of the body and head are the result of improper sitting, bad physical dimensions of the work space, inadequate work method and unfavourable working environment. A proposal is offered on how to redesign the workplace to suit the height of the worker thus reducing strain and fatigue.
Unwittingly, musculoskeletal disorders are complaints that often occur in workers who work in positions that are not ergonomic and persistently. This happened to Yogas Syrup SMEs packaging operator ...workers. With work facilities in the form of stool chairs, the operator's work position is less comfortable. The purpose of this study was to analyze the work postures of the packaging operator of Yogas Syrup SMEs so that an ergonomic work posture was improved for the operator. The method used in this study is to use the OWAS (Ovako Working Analysis System) method with the help of ergofellow software. The results of this study found that the operator packaging work posture at the UMKM Yogas Syrup was at level 2 (medium potential). This means that the packaging operators at UMKM Syrup Yogas need to get the improved posture and work facilities soon.
We propose ‘trans-omic’ analysis for reconstructing global biochemical networks across multiple omic layers by use of both multi-omic measurements and computational data integration. We introduce ...technologies for connecting multi-omic data based on prior knowledge of biochemical interactions and characterize a biochemical trans-omic network by concepts of a static and dynamic nature. We introduce case studies of metabolism-centric trans-omic studies to show how to reconstruct a biochemical trans-omic network by connecting multi-omic data and how to analyze it in terms of the static and dynamic nature. We propose a trans-ome-wide association study (trans-OWAS) connecting phenotypes with trans-omic networks that reflect both genetic and environmental factors, which can characterize several complex lifestyle diseases as breakdowns in the trans-omic system.
Agricultural work is one of the manual materials-handling work tasks in developing countries. The cultivators toil for prolonged periods of time in the open fields without proper work-rest cycles. ...The vegetable cultivators work in awkward postures (squatting, bending and twisting) along with a high amount of repetitiveness. This could lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in the lower back, upper back, shoulders, neck and knee joints. This study thus aims at studying the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among the vegetable cultivators of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. A cross-sectional study on 171 male vegetable cultivators was conducted using a Modified Nordic Questionnaire. The Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) was applied and activity analysis was also performed. Data were statistically analyzed with t-tests and chi-square tests wherever appropriate. High prevalence of MSD was observed among the cultivators where the back (81.28%) and upper extremities (57.89%) were mostly affected. Postural analyses indicated that the cultivators adopted different stressful postures for prolonged periods. As observed, the majority of the subjects suffered from at least one disability due to MSD, hinting at reduced work performance. Ergonomic interventions including alternate postures, work-rest schedules and changes in body movements are required to reduce the prevalent health risks.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) lead to fatigue and decreased productivity in workers, resulting in the need for many affected individuals to seek medical treatment annually. ...Beekeepers, like other agricultural workers, are susceptible to WRMSDs due to the continuous demands of their work and the repetitive movements involved. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs and assess the level of risk associated with different postures among beekeepers to improve their musculoskeletal health. To achieve this, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 33 beekeepers, consisting of two stages. Firstly, the Nordic Questionnaire was utilized to assess the prevalence of WRMSDs. Subsequently, the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) was employed to analyze and categorize the riskiest postures into four levels of corrective measures. The findings indicate that the most commonly affected areas were the back (51.5%) and waist (45.4%). The occurrence of WRMSDs in various body regions was significantly associated with the beekeepers’ years of experience and weekly working hours. Additionally, the prevalence of neck and back pain was significantly related to their body mass index (BMI). The OWAS postural analysis revealed that the back (36.75%) and arm (21.08%) regions required corrective measures as soon as possible (level III), while the back (26.47%) and legs (14.70%) fell under the category of corrective measures needed in the near future (level II). Combining the postural analysis results, 28.43% were classified as Action Levels (AL) II, 37.73% as level III, and 0.98% as level IV. This study demonstrates that WRMSDs are relatively common among beekeepers, primarily due to their extensive work experience and the adoption of awkward postures during their tasks. As a result, recommendations regarding ergonomics and physiotherapy are provided to alleviate pain and reduce the strain on critical postures.
•Beekeepers often experience Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs).•The most commonly affected areas are the back and waist.•The OWAS analysis identifies risky postures, particularly for the back and arms.•WRMSDs are linked to experience; years and hours worked play a crucial role.•This study provides recommendations for better musculoskeletal health.
The Ovako Working posture Assessment System (OWAS) is a commonly used observational assessment method for determining the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. OWAS claims to be suitable in ...the application for untrained persons but there is not enough evidence for this assumption. In this paper, inter-rater (inter-observer) reliability (agreement) is examined down to the level of individual postures and categories. For this purpose, the postures of 20 volunteers have been observed by 3 varying human raters in a laboratory setting and the inter-rater agreement against reference values was determined. A high agreement of over 98%(κ=0.98) was found for the postures of the arms but lower agreements were found for posture classification of the legs (66−97%,κ=0.85) and the upper body (80−96%,κ=0.85). No significant difference was found between raters with and without intense prior training in physical therapy. Consequently, the results confirm the general reliability of the OWAS method especially for raters with non-specialized background but suggests weaknesses in the reliable detection of a few particular postures.
•The inter-rater (intra-observer) reliability of the OWAS method is being investigated.•Study is performed with human participants modelling postures.•Results show overall good inter-rater agreement but limitations for 2 leg postures.•The prior training of raters in physical therapy has no significant influence.
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