Applied ergonomics
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Firefighters performing emergency rescue functions are at an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The objective of the current study was to analyze the biomechanical stresses placed on the body based on simulations of the following strenuous and frequently performed emergency rescue tasks: (1) transferring a patient from a bed to a stretcher using bedsheets, (2) transferring a patient from the ambulance stretcher to a hospital gurney, (3) carrying a victim down a set of stairs and through a landing using a stairchair, (4) carrying a victim down a set of stairs and through a landing using a backboard, and (5) carrying a victim down a straight set of stairs using a stretcher. ⋯ Overall, the two models were well correlated in their assessment of the task components modelled (r = 0.78). These data indicate where engineering changes to equipment regularly used by emergency rescue personnel would have the greatest impact in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
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Paramedics who perform emergency rescue functions are highly susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries. Through an interview and survey process firefighters, many of whom are cross-trained paramedics in a consortium of 14 suburban fire departments, identified and rated tasks that were perceived to be both strenuous and frequently performed. The objective of the current study was to describe the working postures and the forces applied as firefighter/paramedics (FF/Ps) simulated specific roles within the following tasks identified by the survey: (1) transferring a patient from a bed to a stretcher using bedsheets, (2) transferring a patient from the ambulance stretcher to a hospital gurney, (3) carrying a victim down a set of stairs and around a landing using a stairchair, (4) carrying a victim down a set of stairs and around a landing using a backboard, and (5) carrying a victim down a set of stairs using a stretcher. ⋯ Static hand forces were estimated using a hand-held dynamometer at the most physically demanding points for each role within each task. The postural and force data were averaged across subjects performing identical roles to quantify the postures assumed by the FF/Ps at the most strenuous moments during task performance. Based on these analyses we concluded that: (1) when transferring victims from a bed to a stretcher the FF/P on the bed was able to maintain an upright and more stable posture by standing as opposed to kneeling, (2) an interface board should be used to reduce the frictional forces when transferring victims from a bed to a stretcher or from a stretcher to a gurney, thereby reducing the need to lift the victim with flexed torsos and/or shoulders, and (3) equipment and training that encourages the FF/P in the leader role to walk facing forward during victim transport, especially when descending stairs, potentially results in safer transit.
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Previous research with structured abstracts (i.e. those that contain sub-headings such as this one) has indicated that structured abstracts are of a higher quality, contain more information, and are easier to search than are abstracts produced in the traditional manner. ⋯ The findings support the author's view that structured abstracts are more effective than traditional ones.
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The minimum forces needed to manually push or pull a 4-wheel cart of differing weights with similar wheel sizes from a stationary state were measured on four floor materials under different conditions of wheel width, diameter, and orientation. Cart load was increased from 0 to 181.4 kg in increments of 36.3 kg. The floor materials were smooth concrete, tile, asphalt, and industrial carpet. ⋯ The coefficients of rolling friction were estimated as 2.2, 2.4, 3.3, and 4.5 mm for hard rubber wheels rolling on smooth concrete, tile, asphalt, and industrial carpet floors, respectively. The effect of wheel orientation was not consistent over the tested conditions, but, in general, the smallest minimum push/pull forces were measured with all four wheels aligned in the forward direction, whereas the largest minimum push/pull forces were measured when all four wheels were aligned at 90 degrees to the forward direction. There was no significant difference between the push and pull forces when all four wheels were aligned in the forward direction.
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This paper examines the interrater reliability of a quantitative observational method of assessing non-neutral postures required by work tasks. Two observers independently evaluated 70 jobs in an automotive manufacturing facility, using a procedure that included observations of 18 postures of the upper extremities and back. Interrater reliability was evaluated using percent agreement, kappa, intraclass correlation coefficients and generalized linear mixed modeling. ⋯ Percent agreement is an inadequate measure, because it does not account for chance, and can lead to inflated measures of reliability. The use of more appropriate statistical methods may lead to greater insight into sources of variability in reliability and validity studies and may help to develop more effective ergonomic exposure assessment methods. Interrater reliability was acceptable for some of the postural observations in this study.