Three-Stage Evaluation for Defining the Potential of an Industrial Exoskeleton in a Specific Job

Determination of the effectivity, usability and acceptance of an exoskeleton for a specific job requires a three-stage approach in which we get a first impression of its usefulness and potential fit (field observation), in which we measure the work load reducing effect (controlled experiment), and in which we measure use and acceptance,...

Value sensitive design of automated workload distribution support for traffic control teams

This paper studies the effects of automated support for workload distribution in traffic control teams on human values such as security, autonomy and privacy. The paper describes a workshop in which the support system's stakeholders, their values, and the effects of the support system on these values were analyzed. The workshop results were used...

Unobtrusively Measuring Stress and Workload of Knowledge Workers

Imagine a typical working day of a knowledge worker, i.e. someone who is predominantly concerned with interpreting and generating information. Bob gets into the office at 9, starts up his computer, takes a look at his mails and calendar and plans what things he has to do this day. Then he starts working on one of the important tasks that have to...

Influence of inspiratory resistance on performance during graded exercise tests on a cycle ergometer

Due to more stringent requirements to protect personnel against hazardous gasses, the inspiratory resistance of the present generation of respiratory protective devices tends to increase. Therefore an important question is to what extent inspiratory resistance may increase without giving problems during physical work. In this study the effects...

An innovative concept for loading and unloading-narrow body airplanes

In Wide-body airplanes containers are used for handling luggage in and out and airplane. In narrow-body airplanes loading and unloading packages is still done manually causing heavy physical loads in awkward postures due to the limiting height in the compartment. Incidence rates of musculoskeletal health problems are high. A participative...

The relationship between leisure time, physical activities and musculoskeletal symptoms and disability in worker populations

Objectives: To assess the association between leisure time physical activity and musculoskeletal morbidity, as well as possible interactions with physical activity at work. Methods: A literature search was performed to collect all studies on musculoskeletal disorders in which physical activity was involved as a variable. Next, an analysis was...

Working in a moving environment

The present paper provides a review of research and theories concerning the question of how and why working in a moving environment may affect performance. It is argued that performance decrements can be expected to occur as a result of general factors or as a result specific impairments of particular human skills. General effects happen when...

The work load of warehouse workers in three different working systems

An investigation was conducted in five companies in the distribution branch. These companies were divided into three different working systems, i.e., highly mechanized (HM), moderately mechanized (MM), and slightly mechanized (SM). The three systems differed in logistics and kind of appliances used. The purpose of this study was to compare the...