Purchase individual online access for 1 year to this journal.
Price: EUR 250.00
ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: This paper will present the workflow developed for the application of serious games in the design of complex cooperative work settings. The project was based on ergonomic studies and development of a control room among participative design process. Our main concerns were the 3D human virtual representation acquired from 3D scanning, human interaction, workspace layout and equipment designed considering ergonomics standards. Using Unity3D platform to design the virtual environment, the virtual human model can be controlled by users on dynamic scenario in order to evaluate the new work settings and simulate work activities. The results obtained showed that this virtual…technology can drastically change the design process by improving the level of interaction between final users and, managers and human factors team.
Show more
Keywords: digital human model, simulation, virtual environment, motion capture
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0446-2243
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2243-2247, 2012
Abstract: Several digital human modelling (DHM) tools have been developed for simulation and visualisation of human postures and motions. In 2010 the DHM tool IMMA (Intelligently Moving Manikins) was introduced as a DHM tool that uses advanced path planning techniques to generate collision free and biomechanically acceptable motions for digital human models (as well as parts) in complex assembly situations. The aim of the paper is to illustrate how the IPS/IMMA tool is used at Scania CV AB in a digital test assembly process, and to compare the tool with other DHM tools on the market. The illustrated case of using…the IMMA tool, here combined with the path planner tool IPS, indicates that the tool is promising. The major strengths of the tool are its user friendly interface, the motion generation algorithms, the batch simulation of manikins and the ergonomics assessment methods that consider time.
Show more
Keywords: digital human modelling, anthropometrics, ergonomics assessment, vehicle manufacturing
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0447-2248
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2248-2252, 2012
Abstract: In 2008 the Association of German Engineers (VDI) published the first part of the VDI 4499 guideline for methods and tools for the digital factory. Part 1 of this guideline deals with the fundamentals of the system and will be expanded by the addition of further parts on specific topics within the digital factory. Soon to be published is Part 4 which covers human models as tools of the digital factory. It describes the state of the art of current digital human models with regards to the methods and procedures implemented in German speaking countries. The structure of this part…of the guideline is based on the different sections of engineering mechanics and outlines the opportunities for ergonomic assessments and the evaluation of work systems. During the writing of the guideline, the restrictions of the existing procedures also became evident thus showing the requirement for further development of such procedures. This is illustrated in this paper using examples from commercial software systems.
Show more
Keywords: human modelling, digital factory, ergonomic evaluation, anthropometry, prospective work design
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0448-2253
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2253-2259, 2012
Abstract: Most strength tests are restricted to measuring joint torques only in main directions like flexion or pronation. However, for an advanced strength prediction model, information about maximum possible joint torques in intermediate directions also has to be known. This paper concentrates on obtaining functions for maximum joint torques in arbitrary directions in the elbow. Therefore, isometric joint torque measurements have been conducted with 20 young males applying joint torques in eight different directions in one posture (90 degrees elbow flexion, 0 degrees shoulder flexion, neutral forearm rotation). It turns out that the appearance of the resulting shape can be best…predicted using ellipse segments. Furthermore, a standardized ellipse could be obtained for the measurement posture. This helps to predict maximum joint torques in any other direction by knowing only one of the main joint torques.
Show more
Keywords: digital human model, joint torque, biomechanics, elbow, strength
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0449-2260
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2260-2267, 2012
Abstract: The sleep system (i.e. the combination of mattress and bed base) is an important factor of the sleep environment since it allows physical recuperation during sleep by providing proper body support. However, various factors influence the interaction between the human body and the sleep system. Contributing factors include body dimensions, distribution of body weight and stiffness of the sleep system across the mattress surface. During the past decade, the rise of several new bedding technologies has made it increasingly difficult for the consumer to select a proper sleep system. Therefore, this study presents a method to model human-bed interaction in…order to objectively predict the ideal sleep system for a particular individual. The proposed method combines a personalized anthropometric model with standardized load-deflection characteristics of mattress and bed base. Results for lateral sleep positions show a root mean square deviation of 11.9 ± 6.1 mm between modeled spine shapes and validation shapes, derived from 3D surface scans of the back surface. The method showed to be a reliable tool to individually identify the sleep system providing superior support from a variety of possible mattress–bed base combinations.
Show more
Keywords: ergonomic design criteria, sleep system optimization, personalized body support, mechanical bed characteristics, bed support
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0450-2268
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2268-2273, 2012
Abstract: Agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) has gained wide attention over the past few years. ABMS is a powerful simulation modeling technique that has a number of applications, including applications to real-world business problems [1]. This modeling technique has been used by scientists to analyze complex system-level behavior by simulating the system from the bottom up. The major application of ABMS includes social, political, biology, and economic sciences. This paper provides an overview of ABMS applications with the emphasis on modeling human socio-cultural behavior (HSCB).
Keywords: Agent-based modeling, Human Socio-cultural Behavior, simulation
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0650-2274
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2274-2278, 2012
Abstract: The aim in this paper is to present a research on the application of serious games for the design of laboratories in the oil and gas industries. The focus is in human virtual representation acquired from 3D scanning, human interaction, workspace layout and equipment designed considering ergonomics standards. The laboratory studies were simulated in Unity3D platform, which allows the users to control the DHM1 on the dynamic virtual scenario, in order to simulate work activities. This methodology can change the design process by improving the level of interaction between final users, managers and human factor teams. That helps to…better visualize future work settings and improve the level of participation between all stakeholders.
Show more
Keywords: digital human model, simulation, virtual environment
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0451-2279
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2279-2283, 2012
Abstract: Multimodal, immersive, virtual reality (VR) techniques open new perspectives for perceptual-motor skill trainers. They also introduce new risks and dangers. This paper describes the benefits and pitfalls of multimodal training and the cognitive building blocks of a multimodal, VR training simulators.
Keywords: Virtual reality, multimodal training, skill acquisition, perceptual motor skills, virtual reality training
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0452-2284
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2284-2287, 2012
Abstract: Laparoscopic surgery requires more specialized training of the surgeons than traditional open surgery. The Virtual Basic Laparoscopic Surgical Trainer (VBLaST) is being developed as a virtual version of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Skills (FLS) trainer. This study assessed the current haptic and virtual reality (VR) technology of a virtual peg transfer task of the VBLaST, based on the subjective preference of surgeons and their objective task performance measures. Twenty-one surgical residents, fellows and attendings performed a peg-transfer task in the FLS and the VBLaST. Each subject performed 10 trials on each simulator. Results showed that subjects performed significantly better on…the FLS than on the VBLaST. Subjects showed a significant learning effect on both simulators, but with an accelerated improvement on the VBLaST. Even so, 81% of the subjects preferred the FLS over the VBLaST for surgical training which could be attributed to the novelty of the VR technology and existing deficiencies of the haptic interface. Despite the subjective preference for the physical simulator, the performance results indicate an added value of VR and haptics in surgical training, which is expected to be demonstrated in more surgically relevant tasks such as suturing and knot-tying.
Show more
Keywords: surgical training, virtual reality (VR), virtual basic laparoscopic surgical trainer (VBLaST), fundamentals of laparoscopic skills (FLS), force feedback
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0453-2288
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2288-2292, 2012
Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders are still a major problem in daily occupational life. Despite the high incidence rates and important consequences for employees, employers and society, efficient preventive strategies seem to fail in efficiency. The reason may be found in approaching the issue via the classic post-factum analysis. The preventive measures are almost not implemented because of the low predictability to be injured which affects the awareness of the problem and the low identification with the improvement proposals. MSD belong to the cumulative diseases which require and anticipating strategy based on early detection of pre-indicating symptoms.
