Gabriel H.C. Bonfima, , , , Fausto O. Medolab, , Luis C. Paschoarellib

    a Graduate Programme in Design, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Bauru, SP, Brazil
    b Graduate Programme in Design, Department of Design, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Bauru, SP, Brazil

    Received 30 March 2015, Revised 3 June 2016, Accepted 12 June 2016, Available online 29 June 2016

Abstract

Child-Resistant Packagings (CRPs) are important because they prevent children accessing potentially harmful products. However, the locking mechanism located on the caps still presents usability problems, especially for elderly users. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of packaging design, gripping technique and age in the transmission of torque when opening packages with squeeze-and-turn closures. Three different packages of mouthwashes (squeeze-and-turn type) were analyzed and two gripping techniques were used: tridigital and bidigital. The sample comprised one hundred subjects across five age groups equal in size (3–5 years; 8–12 years; 13–17 years; 30–59 years; over 60 years). For maximum torque measurement, the packages were adapted to receive a torquimeter internally installed and connected to the cap. The results show that packaging design, gripping technique and age are factors that influence the transmission of torque when opening squeeze-and-turn packages. In terms of the packaging design, the cap with the largest diameter allowed the application of higher torques. The opening process using the tridigital gripping presented higher values than the bidigital. In terms of the relative strength of grip across the age groups, children from 3 to 5 years presented the lowest torque values. However, the torque transmission with tridigital grip for children under 5 years old was higher when compared to the bidigital grip for all groups and packagings. The current findings provide biomechanical data on opening squeeze-and-turn packages, contributing to the design of packages that best balance safety and usability

    Majid Fallahia, , Majid Motamedzadeb, , , Rashid Heidarimoghadamc, Ali Reza Soltaniand, , Maryam Farhadiane, , Shinji Miyakef

    a Department of Occupational Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    b Department of Ergonomics, School of Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    c Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    d Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    e Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    f School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational & Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan

    Received 6 December 2014, Revised 18 April 2016, Accepted 15 June 2016, Available online 24 June 2016


Abstract

Introduction

It is important to evaluate when and why the mental workload of operators increases during system operation. The city traffic control center (TCC) is a complex work system, and it is important to describe MW as a condition related to this. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mental workload of operators while monitoring traffic loads in the city TCC

Methods

Electroencephalography and electrooculography data were collected from 16 operators while performing their daily work, in four conditions: resting state, low traffic density, high traffic density, and recovery. The Simplified-Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (S-SWAT) was used to evaluate the subjective workload of operators

Results

The findings indicate that operators experience a larger mental workload during high traffic density than during low traffic density (p < 0.001). TCC stressors led to significant changes in EEG bands, such as theta, alpha, and eye activity. Significant differences were observed for subjective ratings of MW (p < 0.001)

Conclusion

Although the working situations of TCC operators are repeated daily, their mental fatigue and stress level gradually increase, leading to deterioration in their mental health. It may be necessary periodically to monitor their mental health and to consider their organizational behavior during traffic density monitoring

Relevance to industry

complex work systems have increased the requirement for many operators to conduct mental tasks in real work conditions such as city traffic density monitoring. When evaluating such workplaces, it is important to identify situations requiring increased mental workload that might impose additional stress on operators, decreasing their performance. Based on the results, the traffic control center director would be aware of the MW condition of the operators.

    Nace Pušnika, Anja Podlesekb, Klementina Možinaa

    a University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Department of Textiles, Graphic Arts and Design, Snežniška 5, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
    b University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts, Department of Psychology, Aškerčeva 2, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia

    Received 7 April 2015, Revised 11 April 2016, Accepted 12 June 2016, Available online 20 June 2016

Abstract


Daily contents presented on television screen are in most cases equipped with titles, for example the names and surnames of presented people, data about the location, subtitles or different advertisements. It is widely believed that upper-case letters are more useful (compared to lower-case letters) for placing short titles. The aim of the research was to determine the differences in recognition and reproduction times of short titles in various experimental conditions (especially the difference between lower- and upper-case letters when the x-height of lower-case letters is increased to the main size of upper-case letters). We were interested in how lower-case letters are comparable to upper-case letters in recognition and information processing. Five typefaces were included in the experiment, i.e. Calibri, Georgia, Swiss 721, Trebuchet and Verdana. Three-letter words were presented in lower- and upper-case, covering a comparable area in four different positions on the screen. The analysis of variance showed that the Calibri typeface was recognized and processed faster. The Georgia, Trebuchet and Verdana typefaces showed comparable processing times regardless their letter case

    Dong Zhoua, Jiayu Chenb, Chuan Lvc, , , Qingyuan Caob

    a State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, BeiHang University, Beijing, China

    b School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, BeiHang University, Beijing, China

    c Science and Technology on Reliability and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Beijing, China

    Received 17 April 2015, Accepted 12 June 2016, Available online 18 June 2016

Abstract

Designers must consider human factors/ergonomics when making decisions from the perspective of maintainability. As an important aspect of maintainability, maintenance space should be made adequate at the design stage to achieve a convenient maintenance process. A maintenance space evaluation method that considers ergonomics is proposed in this study. By comparing free swept volumes and constrained swept volumes in a virtual environment, maintenance space could be evaluated quantitatively and objectively. The results of the evaluation are obtained by combining the principles of ergonomics and maintainability. These results can help designers improve product design such that it fits ergonomics and maintainability requirements. A case study is introduced at the end of this paper to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in efficiently evaluating the maintenance space based on the layout design of the product components in the design stage

Relevant to industry

For a large number of disasters caused by human errors in current industry, the result of this study contributes a guide to fully consider human factors in maintainability design through virtual environment and is beneficial to designers and engineers of industrial application fields

    Reuben F. Burch Va, , , Lesley Strawdermana, Daniel Carruthb

    a Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS, USA

    b Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA

    Received 12 June 2015, Revised 22 April 2016, Accepted 2 June 2016, Available online 10 June 2016

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine whether ruggedized handheld scanning devices used for industrial purposes should contain one of the most prominent features provided on commercial smart devices: data entry via touchscreen as opposed to a physical keypad. Due to harsh environments, physical keys have been the preferred means of input for rugged handhelds. Advancement in touchscreen technology along with technology expectations brought about by the workforce demographic shift are influencing a notable shift to touch-only input for rugged equipment. Hypotheses expect there to be a difference in usability by worker generation and so 20 Gamers (Millennials) and 20 Baby Boomers performed manual data entry on ruggedized handhelds: one with physical keys and one touchscreen only. All participants took 19% less time on touchscreen than physical keys. Gamers were 31% faster than Boomers on physical keyed devices and 28% faster on touchscreen only. There was no significant difference in errors entered for either device by either age group; however, an 83% increase in permanent errors by Gamers on touchscreen was noted. Transitioning to a rugged device with touch-only input is recommended for industry as it could offer an increase in work productivity. This study presents timely insight into a new tool option for industrial workers

Relevance to industry

This research describes the paradigm shift in the ruggedized handheld device market from physical keys to touchscreen only input and identifies real time productivity savings and error risks that can be expected by different generations of workers in the industrial workforce

    Dan Antona, , , Douglas L. Weeksb

    a Department of Physical Therapy, Eastern Washington University, 310 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Box T, Spokane, WA 99202-0002, USA

    b St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, Spokane, WA, USA

    Received 25 August 2015, Revised 31 March 2016, Accepted 12 May 2016, Available online 31 May 2016

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affect all sectors of the working population, and grocery workers have especially high rates. Although the incidence of WMSDs among any worker population can be estimated from workers' compensation claims, musculoskeletal symptom surveys can be used as a proxy estimate of WMSDs. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in grocery store employees from many different departments, and to determine the association between exposure to physical risk factors and presence of symptoms. Study participants (N = 254) were grocery store workers from five different stores in a medium sized grocery chain. Participants completed a self-administered survey consisting of demographic information and job history; the modified Nordic Questionnaire (MNQ); and physical component (PCS) and mental component (MCS) summary measures of the SF-36v2®. Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis (Rodgers) was used to assess exposure to physical risk factors in the most difficult tasks in certain store departments. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was estimated for each body region and for various subgroups, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Approximately 78% of grocery store workers reported work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region, with most workers complaining of low back and feet symptoms. The high prevalence of foot symptoms has not been previously reported for this population. Approximately 11% of employees missed work because of symptoms and 25% sought medical care for symptoms. There were no differences among Rodgers rating groups for proportions reporting symptoms. SF-36v2® scores were inconsequential predictors for musculoskeletal symptoms. Gender and age were both significant predictors of symptoms, and age predicted healthcare utilization. These findings are relevant to the grocery industry in order to target WMSD preventive interventions to specific body regions for high-risk activities within a grocery store position

    Mauro Marchittoa, , , Simone Benedettob, c, , Thierry Baccinob, c, , José Juan Cañasa

    a Cognitive Ergonomics Group, Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
    b Université Paris 8, Vincennes – St. Denis, 2 rue de la Liberté, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
    c CHArt/LUTIN (EA 4004), Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie de la Villette, 30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, 75930 Paris, France

    Received 16 February 2015, Revised 22 April 2016, Accepted 18 May 2016, Available online 30 May 2016

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of complexity on cognitive workload in a simulated air traffic control conflict detection task by means of eye movements recording. We manipulated two complexity factors, convergence angle and aircrafts minimum distance at closest approach, in a multidimensional workload assessment method based on psychophysiological, performance, and subjective measures. Conflict trials resulted more complex and time-consuming than no conflicts, requiring more frequent fixations and saccades. Moreover, large saccades showed reduced burst power with higher task complexity. A motion-based and a ratio-based strategy were suggested for conflicts and no conflicts on the basis of ocular metrics analysis: aircrafts differential speed and distance to convergence point at trial start were considered determinant for strategy adoption.
Relevance to industry

Eye metrics measurement for online workload assessment enhances better identification of workload-inducing scenarios and adopted strategy for traffic management. System design, as well as air traffic control operators training programs, might benefit from on line workload measurement.

    Carisa Harris-Adamsona, , , Alexis Mielkeb, Xu Xuc, Jia-Hua Lind

    a Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
    b Department of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA, USA
    c Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, MA, USA
    d Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA, USA

    Received 27 February 2015, Revised 26 January 2016, Accepted 12 May 2016, Available online 30 May 2016

Abstract

Aim

Transportation of materials using a pallet jack pulled behind the operator is common due to the visual advantages while transporting fully loaded pallets. The objective of this laboratory study was to quantify muscle activity, posture, and low back compressive and shear forces while completing typical pallet jack activities using a standard handle that required one handed pulling of a pallet jack compared to an alternative handle that allowed for two handed pushing

Methods

Participants (n = 14) performed six to ten trials of common pallet jack tasks (straight travel and turning) with each handle. Posture analysis of the trunk and right upper extremity was performed using Motion Analysis (Santa Rosa, CA, USA) and back compressive and shear forces were analyzed using 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI). Activity of the upper trapezius (UT), pectoralis major (PM), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor digitorum (ED) muscles were recorded (Telemyo 2400 T, Noraxon, Scottsdale, Arizona) and normalized to percent reference voluntary contraction values. All outcomes were compared using the paired t-test

Results

Peak and mean muscle activity of the PM (p < 0.001) and ED (p < 0.01) were significantly higher using the alternative push handle during all three tasks. There were larger compressive forces at L4/L5 (p < 0.08) and L5/S1 (p < 0.002) using the alternative handle, and greater shear forces using the standard handle at both L4/L5 (p < 0.0001) and L5/S1 (p < 0.000)

Discussion

The standard handle outperformed the alternative handle with regard to muscle activity. The alternative handle had significantly greater compressive forces at L5/S1 due to the pushing nature of the hand-handle interface, yet the standard handle increased shear forces at both L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels in the low back

Conclusion

In this analysis, there was not a clear benefit to using either handle in terms of trunk strength capacity and varied benefits and drawbacks to each handle when comparing compressive and shear forces in the low back. However, given favorable subjective reports described in a prior publication, and the increased reliance on dynamic versus passive force production, facilitating a workers' ability to push a pallet jack while travelling with large loads is worth further investigation

    Shaheen Ahmeda, , , Kari Babski-Reevesb, Janice DuBienc, Heather Webbd, Lesley Strawdermanb

    a Department of Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, 205 Trafton Science Center East, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, Office Location 220 Wissink Hall, United States
    b Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, McCain Engineering Building, Mississippi State University, MS 39762, United States
    c Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Allen Hall, Mississippi State University, MS 39762, United States
    d Department of Kinesiology, Island Hall, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412, United States

    Received 19 January 2015, Revised 15 January 2016, Accepted 12 May 2016, Available online 27 May 2016


Abstract


Introduction

With an increase in the number of mentally demanding jobs, as well as the increase in work performed while sedentary, there is a growing imbalance in the use of body resources. This often results in an increase in fatigue in the working population. The diversity of the workforce is also increasing, whereas physiological differences based on culture are important to consider. The objective of this study was to identify the differences in the levels of fatigue in the workplace experienced by Asian and Western workers in mentally demanding jobs

Method

Eight Asian and eight Western participants completed an observation-based study. Each participant was observed for four hours in their workplace while they were working on highly mentally demanding work-tasks either computer programming or mathematical simulations. To balance the effect of time, half of the participants from each ethnic group were observed in the morning session and the other half in the afternoon session. Perceived fatigue was measured every 30 min using the single dimensional Borg and multidimensional SOFI scales. Workload was measured using NASA-TLX, and as a change in resting heart rate

Result

Ethnicity and time interacted to significantly affect the perceived fatigue measured by Borg (F (9,126) = 2.03, p = 0.0412) and SOFI (F(9,126) = 3.28, p = 0.0013) scales. Asian participants reported significantly higher workload measured by NASA-TLX scores (F(1, 14) = 3.68, p = 0.0024) and change in resting heart rate (F(1, 14) = 7.77, p = 0.0145) was measured higher compared to Western participants. Unlike fatigue, no significant interactions were observed between time and ethnicity to affect either NASA-TLX scores or change in resting heart rate. Post-hoc analyses show that the rate of fatigue was higher for Asian participants. Correlations between the dependent variables were significant (p < 0.0001), with a stronger correlation identified for Asian participants

Conclusion

As compared to the Western participants, Asian participants reported higher values in all dependent measures, including fatigue in both scales, NASA-TLX scores, and change in resting heart rate

Relevance to industry

The significant growth in white-collar as well as mentally demanding jobs requires more cognitive resources, while reducing physical activities. The consequences of the imbalances in the use of body resources have yet to be studied. This study has been designed to investigate the issues of imbalance in the workplace

    Lijing Wang, , Xueli He1, , Yingchun Chen2

    Fundamental Science on Ergonomics and Environment Control Laboratory, School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China

    Received 23 June 2015, Revised 16 May 2016, Accepted 17 May 2016, Available online 27 May 2016

Abstract

The goal of this study was to establish a quantitative relationship model between workload and task demand under different tasks, when time pressure was set as the main influential factor to the task demand, with three workload measurement parameters. The workload “redline” was also analyzed and determined with the relationship models between the workload measurement parameters and time pressure. The experiment was designed with three different tasks under different time pressures. Three workload measurement parameters (subjective evaluation workload, accuracy and pupil diameter) and the subjective feeling threshold of time pressure were measured experimentally and then used in a comprehensive analysis for the relationship model. The data analysis result showed significant differences in workload under different time pressures, but workload was not affected by the task type. With a time pressure of 0.8, participants felt a sense of time urgency and the accuracy decreased by approximately 85%. The results demonstrate that the subjective evaluation workload, accuracy and pupil diameter can be used as the measurement parameters for the workload under different time pressures and for different tasks. Thus, for a time pressure of 0.8, an accuracy of 80%–85% was determined as the workload “redline”. Linear relationships were found between subjective evaluation workload, and pupil diameter and time pressure, and a quadratic curve relationship was found between accuracy and time pressure. Workload prediction can thus be performed using these relationship models between workload and time pressure.

    Adam Labaja, Tara Diesbourgb, , , Geneviève Dumasa, b, André Plamondonc, Hakim Mercheric, Christian Laruec

    a Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    b School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    c Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Received 27 February 2015, Revised 10 March 2016, Accepted 12 May 2016, Available online 27 May 2016

Abstract

Daycare employees, specifically caregivers, are a distinct population that may experience increased risk of injury due to the high exposure to bent postures, lifting conditions and high stress associated with their work. The objectives of the study were to collect up to date data on daycare workers and to compare the data between groups working with children of different ages (Infant, Toddler and Preschool). The study consisted of two distinct phases: Phase 1 – Questionnaire distribution, Phase 2 – Observation and analysis involving three dimensional postural monitoring and video recording as well as an analysis of the low back forces and moments in lifting. Phase 1: Consisted of the distribution of questionnaires to all employees in each of the participating daycares (n = 73). Of the 73 questionnaires distributed 32 responses were obtained (44%). Of the 32 employees who completed the questionnaires, 19 caregivers volunteered to participate in Phase 2 of the study. An additional 5 caregivers participated in phase 2 of the study, but did not complete any questionnaires. The questionnaires indicated 81% of the workers have experienced low back pain. Phase 2: Observational data were collected on site in five local daycares, throughout the first half of each subject's shift (∼3.5 h). Caregivers from each of the three classroom age groups were recruited for participation in the direct observation (Infant: n = 7, Toddler: n = 7, Preschool: n = 8). Posture analysis revealed that on average, workers adopted trunk flexion angles greater than 55°, for 10% of the collection time, and greater than 70°, for 5% of the collection time. These postures correspond to both moderate and severe flexed postures respectively. The lifting analysis (completed using the data recorded in phase 2) revealed that workers lifted with frequencies of 0.25 lifts/minute, lifted a total weight of 501 kg (over 3.3 h) and experienced average compression and shear forces of 3323 N and 371 N, respectively. A between-group comparison showed that when compared to the Preschool group, the Infant (p = 0.008) and Toddler (p = 0.001) groups demonstrated higher relative flexed postures and lifting frequencies, and the Toddler group (p = 0.023) demonstrated higher total weight lifted. Results suggested that these employees experience an elevated risk of low back injury caused by their occupational tasks and thus, further research is required to determine appropriate worker accommodations and safe work practices to help mediate these risks for all daycare caregivers.
Relevance to industry

It is thought that the results from this study could lead to the development of safe working and job sharing guidelines for daycare workers

    Omer Ozturkoglua, , Ebru E. Saygılıb, , Yucel Ozturkogluc

    a Department of Industrial Engineering, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey
    b Department of International Trade and Finance, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey
    c Department of International Logistics Management, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey

    Received 13 November 2014, Revised 9 April 2016, Accepted 9 May 2016, Available online 21 May 2016

Abstract

Job satisfaction, in terms of worker's satisfaction, is one of the intensively studied areas in human resource and management. However, there is little information available on how ergonomics and the manufacturing environment affect job satisfaction. This study analyzes the extent of the relationship between job satisfaction and work and workplace related conditions. A conceptual model is proposed to evaluate job satisfaction that considers 34 elements in four categories: manufacturing systems, facility design, safety and ergonomics, and human resources and management. A survey of 169 blue-collar workers working in the automotive industry was conducted to investigate the applicability of the model. A comprehensive exploratory factor analysis was used to determine inter-related elements, their underlying factors and their effects on job satisfaction. The analysis revealed 6 factors with 18 related elements. From a multi linear regression analysis, we develop a job satisfaction model built on factors of human resource policies, safety, ergonomics, air quality, thermal comfort and disturbing equipment. The results reveal that ergonomics plays the most important role in workers' satisfaction for the respondent Turkish automotive workers. In contrast, human resource policies seem not play a critical role in job satisfaction because of higher standards in automotive industry compared to other industries in Turkey

  A manufacturing-oriented model for evaluating the satisfaction of workers – Evidence from Turkey.pdf (اندازه 609.65 KB / تعداد دانلود: 127)

    Xihui Yuana, Manrong Shea, Zhizhong Lia, , , Yijing Zhangb, , , Xiaojun Wua

    a Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    b National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China

    Received 21 July 2015, Revised 25 April 2016, Accepted 2 May 2016, Available online 12 May 2016

Abstract

Mutual Awareness, which measures understanding of the behaviors and status of other members in a team is supposed to influence team decision-making process in safety-critical tasks/systems. This study aims to explore enhancement of mutual awareness by adding a Mutual Awareness Tool (MAT) on a user interface and examining its effects on team diagnosis performance in emergency situations of a simulated nuclear power plant system. According to the experimental results, the embedded MAT on the operation interface enhanced team mutual awareness significantly, and improved incident diagnosis performance. The results also showed that the increase in mutual awareness led to a reduction of individual situation awareness, possibly due to the limited mental resources

    Fu Guo, Yi Ding, , Tianbo Wang, Weilin Liu, Haizhe Jin

    School of Business Administration, Northeastern University, No. 195 Innovation Road, Hunnan District, Shenyang 110167, PR China

    Received 11 August 2015, Revised 5 April 2016, Accepted 13 April 2016, Available online 4 May 2016

Product forms can affect user preference and play an important role in user's purchasing decisions. Neuroimaging methods can provide an improved understanding of the mechanisms of decision making, which enhance the ability of enterprises to effectively design their products. Hence event related potentials (ERPs) were applied to explore the brain activity evoked by variety of product forms when users made preference among them. Smartphone product forms were displayed with equiprobability randomly. Participants were asked to click the left mouse button when they preferred one product form, else the right button for nonpreferred. The brain signals of each participant were recorded by Curry 7.0. Finally, brain signals were processed by using Curry 7.0 SBA and SPSS 18.0 software. The results showed that preferred product forms evoked enhanced N2, P2 and P3. Moreover, there were significant correlation between ERPs and behavioural data, participants devoted more attention and had faster responding time to preferred products than to nonpreferred. These results indicate that the differences of ERPs can be used to evaluate user preference.

Relevance to industry

The integration of customer preferences is nowadays a challenge in new product development. Hence a thorough research on the inherent mechanism of preference formation can provide an accurate measurement method of user's perception. The differences of brain signals evoked by product forms can also provide technical support for product designers, which in turn can meet with user experience. Moreover, the results can be taken as evaluating indicators of product design

    a Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China

    b National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, Beijing, 100094, PR China

    Received 11 June 2015, Revised 21 April 2016, Accepted 21 April 2016, Available online 2 May 2016

Abstract

This study explores the effects of cognitive ability (information seeking, inference, spatial recognition, attention span, and attention allocation) and cognitive style (active-reflective, sensing-intuitive, visual-verbal, and sequential-global) on task performance of simulated spaceflight emergency operations that require judgment and operation on a Chinese spaceflight instrument board and the possible interaction effect with training experience. The performance criteria included task completion time and number of human errors. It was found that inference ability, spatial recognition ability, and attention span had significant effects on task completion time, while attention allocation ability had significant effect on the number of error. The participants with a sequential cognitive style made significantly fewer errors than those with a global cognitive style. Training experience significantly decreased task completion time. The participants with sequential cognitive style learnt faster than those with global cognitive style in the spaceflight instrument operations. With increasing training experience, the predictive capability of cognitive ability on performance decreased, whereas the predictive capability of the sequential-global cognitive style on performance increased

    Dae-Min Kima, Kyeong-Hee Choib, Sung-Yong Leeb, Yong-Ku Kongb

    a Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Dongseo University, Busan, 47011, Republic of Korea

    b Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 440-746, Republic of Korea

    Received 22 May 2015, Revised 10 March 2016, Accepted 19 April 2016, Available online 1 May 2016

A newly developed system was applied in this study to evaluate the effects of the grip spans (45–80 mm) of combination pliers on the total grip strength, individual finger force, resultant force, and subjective discomfort. A total of twenty-six males participated and were asked to exert their maximum grip strength with two repetitions. The highest and the lowest total grip strength and resultant force (311.8 N and 737.9 N vs. 210.1 N and 501.7 N) were obtained at a 60 mm and 80 mm grip spans, respectively. In general, the participants considered the 50 and 60 mm grip spans as being the least discomfort, whereas the 80 mm grip span was considered as the most discomfort grip span in a maximum grasping task. The results can be utilized as basic data for the manufacturing and design industries of two-handle hand tools, such as pliers and wrenches

Practitioners summary

Custom-made combination pliers were applied in this study to evaluate grip strength, resultant force, and subjective discomfort, relative to five grip spans. The authors expect that the results of the present study will provide valuable information for the designers and users of pliers

  Study on the grip spans of combination pliers in a maximum gripping task.pdf (اندازه 834.52 KB / تعداد دانلود: 195)

   

Seunghee Hong a, *, Byungchan Min c, Shunichi Doi b, Keisuke Suzuki b
a Graduate School of Engineering, University of Kagawa, Kagawa, 761-0396, Japan
b Faculty of Engineering, University of Kagawa, Kagawa, 761-0396, Japan
c Industrial Management Engineering, Hanbat National University, Daejeon, 305-719, South Korea

Abstract

According to the many reports of the traffic accidents, the number of the accidents near the intersections was increased in the cases of the aged drivers. The purpose of the research was to measure the sensitivity of elder drivers through behavioral responses in approaching and stopping to the intersections and to obtain the difference of the responses for braking and stopping comparing with young drivers. In the field tests of real running on experimental proving ground, elder and young drivers were observed their driving behaviors in various conditions of approaching and stopping at intersections. Comparing the results of the elder with the young, the unstable driving behaviors were examined in elderly and they were apt to run fast in approaching the intersection and also stopping rapidly. The rates of deceleration change (Jerk) with braking operation were unstable and the driving behaviors were affected by the environments or conditions of the intersection. These driving performances should be interfered with the traffic flow and exposed to the risk of accidents. If the features of these aged driver's behaviors were clarified better, the more effective driving assistant systems for elderly could be developed based on characteristics of elderly driver's driving performances and their physical and psychological features of driving

  Approaching and stopping behaviors to the intersections of aged drivers compared with young drivers.pdf (اندازه 2.73 MB / تعداد دانلود: 193)

Iman Dianat b, *, Abdollah Vahedi a, Sara Dehnavi a
a Department of Health and Safety, Safa University of Applied Science and Technology, Saveh, Iran
b Department of Ergonomics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

The association between objective and subjective assessments of environmental ergonomic factors including noise, lighting and heat were conducted in a field study in three manufacturing plants. Data were collected from 130 workstations using questionnaire and physical measurements of the noise (noise dosimetry), lighting (task area illuminance) and heat (wet bulb globe temperature – WBGT) levels. The recommended noise, illuminance and WBGT levels were not met in about half of the workstations surveyed, which was in agreement with low satisfaction levels with the environmental factors in the workplace. A considerable effect of the environmental factors was found on perceived workers' job performance, safety and health. The results from contingency coefficient analysis indicated a relatively good agreement between the measured noise, illuminance and WBGT levels and the workers' perception of these factors. The results suggest that quantitative physical measurements should be supplemented by qualitative subjective assessments to provide more specific and additional details about the environmental conditions in each workplace and consequently to improve workers' satisfaction, job performance, safety and health
Relevance to industry

The findings highlight the importance of environmental ergonomics and have implications for improvements in the design of the workplace to enhance workers' satisfaction, job performance, safety and health on areas where the environmental factors are not favourable. A better understanding of the environmental conditions and their effects in each working environment has the potential for a notable impact on productivity and workers' quality of life

  Association between objective and subjective assessments of environmental ergonomic factors in manufacturing plants.pdf (اندازه 215.33 KB / تعداد دانلود: 8583)

Conor V. MacDonald a, *, Christopher J. Brooks b, John W. Kozey a
a School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada
b Survival Systems Ltd., 50 Mount Hope Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4K9, Canada

Introduction

Canadian drowning rates for children are high and an increased demand for child flotation devices with novel designs is expected. This experiment was conducted to: 1) record the donning performance of life jackets on children/infants using the methods outlined in the Canadian standard; and 2) to compare the donning performance results to the previously reported results using a soft manikin

Method

Four different child life jackets were procured for evaluation. Adults and their children were recruited from the Halifax region to participate

Results

Fifty-five participants completed at least one donning trial with one of the four life jackets. Findings were in general agreement with the previous manikin study. Manikin testing showed consistent results with human testing for life jackets that are both well designed or poorly designed, but were not consistent for “mediocre” life jackets. Each sub-task added 10 s to the donning process. Incorrect donning was yet again caused by clips and ties that were not colour and/or size coded

Conclusions & recommendations

A manikin may be offered as an alternative for a human in the donning tests. For “mediocre” life jackets that fail the manikin test, a human test can always be used to clarify the situation

  Infant life jacket donning trials using children and their parents.pdf (اندازه 322.32 KB / تعداد دانلود: 891)