Atilt rolling movement of a gas cylinder: A case study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chen, Yi-Lang | Chiang, Hsi-Ting

Affiliations: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei, Taiwan | AU Optronics Corporation (AUO), Hsinchu, Taiwan

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Yi-Lang Chen, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, 84, Gungjuan Rd., Taishan Dist., New Taipei, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 29089899#3103; Fax: +886 2 29085900; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: We analyzed a case study for rolling gas cylinders for a large technology company in Taiwan. Four experienced employees participated in this study. The cylinder transporting postures of participants were photographed for Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and a goniometer was used for data gathering. The results showed that for atilt rolling movement and positioning of gas cylinders, the postures assessed by RULA all exceeded Action Level 3. The repetitive activity for each wrist was as high as 1 time/s. The radial deviation for each wrist and the dorsiflexion on the right wrist nearly reached the maximum range of motion. This suggested that the tasks might potentially cause injury to the upper limbs (particularly the wrists) and require action "investigation and changes are required soon", as suggested by RULA. The results of this case analysis can be preliminarily used as a reference for related operation evaluation and improvement.

Keywords: Cylinder transporting, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), wrist postures

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131720

Journal: Work, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 473-481, 2014