Advanced Engineering Forum Vol. 10

Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common and most costly musculoskeletal disorder among nursing profession. The ergonomic risk factors are common causes of lumbar injury. This study aims to assess the risk of LBP among nurses in different wards of an Iranian subspecialty hospital by means of MAPO method and to investigate if there is any relationship between calculated index and the self-reported LBP. The study was conducted in 16 sections of an Iranian subspecialty hospital including 174 wards. Exposed nursing staff (N=54) were asked to report LBP experiences in the past year. Our results indicated approximately 90% of examined wards were in the red band while only 9% were in the yellow and 1% in the green bands. Among all nurses who worked in the high risk wards, 25% reported suffering LBP during the past 12 months. However, 16% of those who were in the medium risk wards also experienced LBP in the past year. Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between LBP incidence and the level of MAPO index (p=0.004). This study suggests that the frequency of LBP among nurses is higher than the general population. The most studied wards felt in the red band, indicating the elevated risk for low back in the majority of hospital wards. It is therefore necessary to implement an ergonomic program in order to modify the observed deleterious condition as soon as possible.

Abstract: Background: Signage provides information and direction. It is important as a medium to show direction in offices and public buildings. It is more crucial for emergency services, specifically hospitals. Incomplete information and confusion of signage are among common issues being raised by the public to hospital management. Objective:This study is carried out to determine user height preferencesof Hospital Kajangs signage and to proposean appropriate height forits future signage. Approach: Thirty five respondents (20male and 15 female) participated in this study. They are aged between 18 to 60 years old with the mean of age at39years old. Their stature height and eye-level height are measured using SECA Stable Stadiometer.They are asked to give a rating using 1-10 scaleon threequestions to measure their preferences towards the present signage.The studied signage is also measured using standard measuring tape. The data is analyzed using SPSS.Results:It is found that 25 respondents (71.43%) agree to say that the height of signage in Hospital Kajang is too highwhile10 of them (28.57%) disagree. The signage should be10.5 cm lower from present height in order to optimize its function for both groups. The proposed signage height should be 187.5 cmfrom the floor. Conclusion:The present signage in Hospital Kajang requires necessaryheight readjustment to satisfythe majority of its staffs and visitors. The improvement is vital to ensure the signage meet the directional purpose.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of muscle fatigue symptoms and its relation to the job demands among industrial workers with repetitive light tasks. The participants were one hundred and sixty seven workers from the manufacturing and electronics industries in Lembah Klang Malaysia. The results show that the prevalence of muscle fatigue symptoms is high among industrial workers in the manufacturing and electronics sectors. The highest prevalence was for the shoulder (70.659%) and neck (65.269%). The prevalence of muscle fatigue symptoms were found to be higher for females than males. The higher prevalence of muscle fatigue symptoms are found to be related to job demand factors, particularly monotonous, attention requirement, precision, and repetitiveness.

Abstract: An ambulance is designed through the modification of an existing standard vehicle body. By converting, renovating and equipping a standard vehicle body with a patient stretcher, paramedic seats, nearside seats, and related medical equipment, the vehicle becomes an ambulance. Therefore, the requirements and layout of the ambulance interior are constrained by the space available and dimensions of the adopted vehicle. Ambulance occupant protection, safety and ergonomic aspects are usually compromised. High quality and consistent emergency care demand continuous quality improvement and is directly dependent on the effective monitoring, integration, and evaluation of all components of the patients care. Currently, there is no standard or guideline regarding patient compartment layout to help ambulance manufacturers to improve this confine working space. This study aims to assess and evaluate ambulance patient compartment and its effect on the paramedics in performing their tasks. Since the paramedics have to respond to emergencies, their comfort, safety and ease of handling the various equipment in the ambulance has to be considered. A combination of techniques was applied to collect comprehensive data, including interviews, observations and questionnaires which outcomes are used as a basis of suggestions for the improvement in ambulance layout design. By analyzing the tasks performed, a proper layout which considers the ergonomic aspects will ensure that the first response is efficient and reliable.

Abstract: In aerospace industry, many tasks required manufacturing workers to perform their works in awkward posture. Awkward posture is a practical working posture when joints are not in neutral position such as lifting heavy products, reaching materials, bending forward their back when doing jobs, and pushing or pulling excessive loads because those tasks require a stable position and large degree of freedom. If the workers perform the jobs continuously in awkward posture throughout the working hours, they may be experience muscle fatigue. The objective of this study is to measure the myoelectric level (μV) exerted by the right and left thoracolumbar fascia muscles while workers perform the lay-up process in aerospace industry. The myoelectric level in the muscles was measured using surface Electromyography (sEMG) measurement. Six production workers from aerospace industry participated as subjects. The muscle fatigue of the subjects was measured during beginning until finish of lay-up process. This measuring activity has been doing from Wednesday to Friday. Highest results of myoelectric level for right thoracolumbar fascia is when the workers make the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven. Different with the results of myoelectric level for left thoracolumbar fascia which is; three of the workers got highest result when they are making the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven, but the other three of the workers got highest result when they are making the lay-up process for ply twelve. Nevertheless, after averaging both of the results, a mean result for each worker shows the highest myoelectric level is when the workers make the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven. According to the mean, a percentage of worse tasks are projected. Based on this study, the authors concluded that muscle fatigue of the lay-up workers in aerospace industry was influenced by the work load, work activity and duration of awkward posture.

Abstract: The objective of the study is to identify the symptoms ofmusculoskeletal disorder (MSD) and ergonomic risks on manual handling task at a metal stamping company. Data were collected using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The results revealed that there were significant relationships between self-reported pain and RULA posture scores on the trunk and neck regions with reference to MSD symptoms. Further, the results of RULA score also indicated high risk posture level on the task being investigated.

Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of workstation ergonomic intervention in reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in Visual Display Terminal (VDT) workers. The study was carried out at one of a Multinational Company in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Sixty Heavy VDT workers were selected randomly as case study respondents. Questionnaires were given to 60 respondents to investigate their awareness in ergonomic intervention, job-related factors that contributing to musculoskeletal disorders, as well as MSD severity and symptoms among them. Then, 30 workers who are heavy VDT users were selected to receive the education and ergonomics interventions, whereas another 30 receive the education and ergonomic intervention, whereas another 30 workers were assigned as a control group. The two groups were then crossedover after sixth week, and follow-up questionnaire s we given to all of them once again. The results for both questionnaires, before and after the ergonomics intervention, were then analyzed for this case study. The interventions include ergonomics leaflets, ergonomic posters, online ergonomic education and ergonomic working posture guidance. The outcomes suggested that a participation in an ergonomics program, even though in a short duration and minimally disruptive to the normal workplace routine, can still contribute to a rapid effect on improving work posture. Although improper posture is associated to be the main risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, multigroup and long-term randomized trial are required to establish the effectiveness or workstation ergonomic intervention in reducing musculoskeletal disorders in VDT workers. In conclusion, there is significant evidence that individualized ergonomic interventions may contribute to improve work-related posture and reduce MSD injuries for VDT workers.

Abstract: The cross-sectional study was conducted amongst thirty eight government supporting staff who mainly doing sedentary task in Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Affair Division (MMEAD) (49%) and Ministry of Health (MOH) (51%) in Putrajaya. The investigation aims to determine the association between working postures and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among office workers where all respondents were selected in 5 sections; administrative (64%), financial (12%), counter/assistant (12%), human resources management (6%) and procurement section (6%). Self-reported questionnaires using Nordic questionnaire were used in this investigation. Besides, posture analysis was done based on Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and office ergonomics checklist adapted from Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation (2008) were used as the instrumentations of this investigation. Face validity and reliability testing for the questionnaire and intra tester reliability for the posture assessment was done to ensure true quality of the results and analysis. From the analysis, the highest prevalence of MSD complained is lower back pain (LBP) 57.9% while the lowest prevalence is elbow pain (EP) 2.6%. Result shows 31.6% of the respondents believe the pain is caused by working activities. Based on the ergonomics checklist, MMEAD shows the highest mean (64.84%) of non compliance, where all the workstations scored more than 50% compared with MOH. Based on RULA observation, most of the workstation scores in action level 3 (grand score 5-6). In conclusion, the high complained of MSD is due to awkward postures, unsuitable workstation and lack of knowledge related to the areas to apply in everyday routine and it shows that working postures have a direct contribution on MSD complained by the office workers in Putrajaya.

Abstract: In reality, people who worked with power vibrating tools exposed with the vibrated syndrome that effect their normal life especially who involved for long time period. Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is a widespread hazard in many industries and occupations involving the use of handheld power tools or hand-fed machines. This paper describes a research and observation on the vibrating hand tool. The objective of this study is to measure and compare the grip strength and hand arm vibration before and after using the Ready-Reckoned standard for industrial workers. Continually, an analysis is conducted due to the pain and discomfort experience that face by the workers. This research also do the analysis about the effects of the vibration to the workers hand depend on the duration of handling the power hand tool. Hundred respondent was involved which 50 men and 50 women who had been identified as an industrial worker and working with power hand tools or machinery. The respondents were interviewed and answer Q-Survey that directly conducted at their workplace after doing the test. As the result, worker who works 8 hours per day, the exposure limit value (ELV) is 5m/s, it can cause fatal effects. Most of workers suffered with fingers that gone white on cold exposure and weakness in hand grip.

Abstract: The paper focused on the effects of vibration exposure on muscle activity and grip strength. The study was conducted on eighteen subjects, required to drill wood material using electric drill for 5 and 15 minutes. Electromyography (EMG), Vernier Labpro with 3 axis accelerometer and hand dynamometer were used in the experiment. The results showed that right extensor carpi radialis muscle had the highest percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) with values of 21.8%MVC-23.5%MVC. The mean vibration level was 10.45 m/s² (5 minutes) and 10.69 m/s² (15 minutes). Drilling wood material for 15 minutes resulted in higher percentage MVC (7.79%), vibration levels (2.29%), and percentage decrease ratio (11.17%) than using 5 minutes for the extensor carpi radialis muscle. The findings of the study indicated that as the level of vibration and exposure duration increase the muscular activity and the percentage decrease ratio of grip strength would also increase.