Browsing University of Waterloo by Subject "ergonomics"
Now showing items 1-12 of 12
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Assessment Methods for Advanced Masonry Work Systems
(University of Waterloo, 2021-03-19)The physically strenuous and demanding nature of construction tasks exposes workers to injury risks, can reduce productivity, and contributes to undesirable early retirement. In spite of these risks, human performance in ... -
An Assessment of the Interplay between the Shoulders and the Low Back in Occupational Tasks: A Manual Patient Handling Example
(University of Waterloo, 2010-12-16)Redundancy and variation are characteristics of humans. Many muscles contribute to producing a movement at a joint, allowing different strategies for task performance. Further, the shoulders and back are involved in many ... -
Axial twist of the lumbar spine: Mechanical responses to twisted postures and potential factors for workplace injury
(University of Waterloo, 2017-08-24)While a link between magnitudes of spinal axial twist motions and the various modes of associated injury, pain reporting, and lost time claims has been tentatively established, there is need for greater investigation and ... -
Design and Development of a Training System for Manual Handling Tasks in Masonry
(University of Waterloo, 2021-09-24)The construction industry is one of the industries with the highest rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Masons are particularly susceptible to overexertion and back injuries due to the physical demands of their ... -
Determining the Effects of Force Intensity, Postural and Force Direction Constraints on Off-Axis Force Production during Static Unilateral Pushing and Pulling Manual Exertions
(University of Waterloo, 2013-08-30)Proactive ergonomics is generally considered to be a more efficient and cost effective way of designing working environments than reactive ergonomics. It often requires preemptively selecting working postures and forces ... -
The effects of a simulated occupational kneeling exposure on squat mechanics and knee joint load during gait
(Taylor and Francis, 2017-12-01)Occupational kneeling is associated with an increased risk for tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis. Forces on the knee in the kneeling posture, as well as the greater incidence of meniscus tears among workers, likely contribute ... -
Firefighter fitness, movement qualities, occupational low-back loading demands and injury potential
(University of Waterloo, 2012-02-21)BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES: Low-back overexertion injuries represent a large proportion of fireground “strains, sprains and muscular pains” and are a leading cause of disability and early retirement in firefighters. Given ... -
Investigation on the Effects of Fastening Parameters on the Handle Displacement of a Pistol Grip Tool
(University of Waterloo, 2023-01-23)Workers in automotive assembly lines routinely use DC-powered pistol grip tools to install threaded fasteners. While these tools are easy to use and increase production quality, tool operators are subjected to impulsive ... -
Kinematic variability in repetitive occupational tasks as an individual trait from different motor control perspectives
(University of Waterloo, 2022-07-06)Recent ergonomic research suggests that individuals with low motor variability (repeaters) are at higher risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders than individuals with high motor variability (replacers) ... -
Mechanical response of the porcine cervical spine to acute and repetitive anterior-posterior shear
(University of Waterloo, 2011-01-13)Approximately 80% of the population will experience low-back pain within their lifetime. Significant research efforts have focused on compressive loading as an injury mechanism that could lead to low-back pain and injury. ... -
Quantification of Upper Extremity Physical Exposures of Materials Handling Tasks in Seated and Standing Configurations
(University of Waterloo, 2014-04-30)Prolonged periods in sitting or standing may negatively influence worker health. Integration of sit-stand workstations has attempted to mitigate these deleterious effects, and has generated positive results in terms of ... -
Reach-Bounded, Non-Linear Input Amplification for More Comfortable Virtual Reality
(University of Waterloo, 2020-04-30)Input amplification enables easier movement in virtual reality (VR) for users with mobility issues or in confined spaces. However, current techniques either do not focus on maintaining feelings of body ownership, or are ...