Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Vedovato, Tatiana Giovanelli | Monteiro, Maria Inës | Masson, Valéria Aparecida

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Transforming work conditions is part of the ergonomic action that should help to improve work situations that brings risks to the workers health. six workers were observed in different locations of the supply center (Central Free Market, Free Market 2, Flowers Market and Permanent Shed 4). During the observation of workers to the Ergonomic Analysis of Work – AET (Rohmert and Landau) was performed. The workers were divided into two groups: porters and owners. The porters were the most susceptible to the risks of work and minor accidents with sharp wood from boxes or even risk of traffic accidents as …pedestrians. However, regarding the use of mental ability for negotiations, use of computers and organizing and planning the establishment of work, the owners were the ones that most time played these activities. The ergonomics advocates work that can be transformed and that favors employee and employer. It is, therefore, intended to redefine the strategies that are embedded into the organizational structure of work. Show more

Keywords: Occupational Health, Occupational Health Policy, Human Engineering

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0856-5471

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5471-5474, 2012

Authors: Bernmark, Eva | Forsman, Mikael | Pernold, Gunilla | Wiktorin, Christina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: For ergonomic purposes it is useful to quantify the energy expenditure and the level of physical activity imposed on workers. Oxygen consumption (VO2 ) is often used to calculate energy expenditure and can be used as an indication of physical activity. Twenty-five subjects participated in the study. Oxygen consumption (VO2 ) in L O2 /min and heart-rate (HR) in beats per minute (bpm) were simultaneously measured during different work tasks at each individual's workplace. Ninety-one different work tasks with light or moderate physical activity were included (physical activity was classified by the VO2 measurements). Estimated oxygen consumption (L O2 …/min) was then calculated by using the HR measurements in bpm combined with individual HR-VO2 equations established in a laboratory. Although heart-rate based estimations of individual oxygen consumption showed relatively low precision, heart-rate measurements in combination with individual exponential HR-VO2 equations can be used to discriminate between work involving light physical activity and work involving moderate physical activity. Show more

Keywords: energy expenditure, work load, exposure assessment, heart rate, oxygen consumption

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0857-5475

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5475-5476, 2012

Authors: de Azevedo, Beatriz Marcondes | Cruz, Roberto Moraes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: Was to characterize the relationship between regulation at work and decision processes in the activity of Prosecutors in SC. To this end, it starts with the assumption that the decision-making and regulation are complex phenomena of conduct at work, since the worker makes continuously micro and macro decisions, based on a set of regulations, influenced by contingency and personal variables. Participants: Four Prosecutors participated in this study. Methods: This was a case study, descriptive and exploratory. For data collection, documents were analyzed, observing the workplace and interviewed key personnel of the institution in order to identify macro and micro …organizational factors. Also as a technique for data collection an Ergonomic Analysis of Work. Results: It was found that the work of the Prosecutor presents a set of activities that take place on the basis of coordination and cooperation in a dynamic and unstable environment. The prosecutor's activity, in addition to being the full expression of basic psychological processes of service work, is embedded in a context which, in part, depends and, therefore, encourages and requires choices and referrals by employees, demanding the demonstration of skills and modulating its operative mode. Conclusions: Processing depends on the idiosyncrasies and the force of circumstances, thus creating a brand, a unique personal style in the work. It is inferred that they are dialectical processes, since they regulate to decide and decide because they are regulated. However, the regular employee builds micro decisions that subsidize an effective decision. Thus, the better the variability of regulation, the greater the variability of decisions. Show more

Keywords: cognitive ergonomics, ergonomic analysis of work, making decision, regulation process, variability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0858-5477

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5477-5480, 2012

Authors: Sawyer, Benjamin D. | Hancock, P.A. | Deaton, John | Suedfeld, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A two-week mission in March and April of 2011 sent six team members to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). MDRS, a research facility in the high Utah desert, provides an analogue for the harsh and unusual working conditions that will be faced by men and women who one day explore Mars. During the mission a selection of quantitative and qualitative psychological tests were administered to the international, multidisciplinary team. A selection of the results are presented along with discussion.

Keywords: extreme environments, expeditionary teams, nextgen astronauts , human factors psychology, mars exploration

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0859-5481

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5481-5484, 2012

Authors: von Mühlen Brandalise, Isabella | César, Paula Macedo | de Souza Rêgo, Clara Cristina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The CGPS of the woodwork of a public university was observed and analyzed. Apart from what is usual in the field of Ergonomics' studies, it is an academic context, where there is not a direct implication of profit, productivity and clientele. The group tried to sever negative and broadcasted opinions about the place by analyzing it from a different point of view. This work was considered relevant, since it is related to neglect of education and citizenship. For this case study, it was used the Ergonomics Analysis of Work with all workers at the woodwork. The instruments were documental analysis, …free observation with photographic register, semi-structured interview with the workers and survey Pontos de Vericação Ergonômica. The results are presented by the perspective of work conditions, work organization and social-professional work relationship. The present study brought several contributions, such as the complementation of the theory and a new perspective of the analyzed context, o bserved now by the worker's point of view. As a result of the analysis, it was questioned about citizenship and the neglect with the public good, even though the relevant social role that this academic institution plays. In conclusion, the group suggests some proposals that modify positively the CGPS of this academic woodwork. Show more

Keywords: citizenship, education, neglect

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0860-5485

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5485-5487, 2012

Authors: Castro, C. | De la Vega, E. | Báez, G. | Carrasco, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The number of occupational diseases in Mexico is alarming and clearly it is important to do studies with the purpose of improving the design of workstations. The objective of this research is to determine the maximum force levels in different positions of shoulder and elbow. An experiment was conducted with 16 subjects between 18 and 28 years old: 8 male and 8 female. We considered 16 different positions, working with the right and left arm to perform the tasks of pull and push. The tasks consisted of pushing or pulling a dynamometer for a period of 3 seconds as hard …as possible. The results were presented in tables. The tables show the mean, standard deviation and range of force levels in different positions. Show more

Keywords: Arms, Posture, Lateral, Frontal

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0861-5488

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5488-5490, 2012

Authors: Mizuno, Yuki | Ito, Toshihiko | Yoshikawa, Toru | Yomogida, Satoshi | Morio, Koji | Sakai, Kazuhiro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce the new workflow line system consisted of the location and image recording, which led to the acquisition of workflow information and the analysis display. From the results of workflow line investigation, we considered the anticipated effects and the problems on KAIZEN. Workflow line information included the location information and action contents information. These technologies suggest the viewpoints to help improvement, for example, exclusion of useless movement, the redesign of layout and the review of work procedure. Manufacturing factory, it was clear that there was much movement from the standard operation place and accumulation residence time. …The following was shown as a result of this investigation, to be concrete, the efficient layout was suggested by this system. In the case of the hospital, similarly, it is pointed out that the workflow has the problem of layout and setup operations based on the effective movement pattern of the experts. This system could adapt to routine work, including as well as non-routine work. By the development of this system which can fit and adapt to industrial diversification, more effective “visual management” (visualization of work) is expected in the future. Show more

Keywords: Location system, Workflow line, Location information display system, KAIZEN, Visual Management

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0862-5491

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5491-5492, 2012

Authors: Martins, L. B. | Cabral, A. K. P. S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The inclusion of persons with disabilities (PD) has been widely discussed in Brazil. The main purpose of this paper is to identify the contributions of ergonomics in the process of including disabled people in the job market and to discuss the situation in Brazil. It was found that ergonomics is an important tool within organizations. Using it allows space, work stations and tools to be matched workers' needs, including those with disabilities, on behalf of whom it is necessary to adjust the demands of work to their specific needs. However, further research is needed in Brazil on the existing methods …of ergonomic intervention for this population in order to suit their needs and optimize potential. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, work, disabilities

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0863-5493

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5493-5499, 2012

Authors: Cabral, A. K. P. S. | Martins, L.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim is to identify ergonomic intervention methods used for including people with disabilities (PD) in the Brazilian labor market, with emphasis on discussion of methods to analyze the fit between the worker and the workplace. Methods to evaluate the fit of the worker to the workplace identify the capabilities and limitations of PDs and the demands of work, combining these data, and comparing them, in order to obtain a detailed analysis of the fit were drawn from national and international publications. These show that the use of specific methods for PDs and others focused on the general population. Mutatis …mutandis, there is a need for complementary tools to address this segment. Thus, for the Brazilian scenario, it is essential to develop specific methodological tools to assess the capabilities of a PD so that they may better interact with their job. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, Work, Disabilities, Inclusion

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0875-5500

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5500-5504, 2012

Authors: de Almeida, Daniela Tonizza | de Oliveira Echternacht, e Eliza Helena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The study investigated, through a literature review, how the research community has addressed the difficulties experiences by the teams in front of new prescriptions for the treatment of alcohol and drug users in Centers of Psyco-social Attention and discusses the relevance of the conceptual and methodological references of Ergonomics for understand and transform work situations. Such studies tend to do an analysis that does not account for variability present in both the workers and work organization and prioritize the analysis of final results of the, disqualifying local inventions due to tasks imposed by policy guidelines. It is estimated that the …Ergonomics, considering the diversity of training, learning and experience, contributes to the implementation of media to promote the continued development of competences that can meet the demands of production and expands knowledge about the problems experienced and the possibilities of overcoming them. Show more

Keywords: Tecnological innovation, Variability, Competences

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0864-5505

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5505-5507, 2012