Dynamic strength and knowledge of strength affect manual materials handling strategy.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bartlett DB ; Zhang X
• Description:
  This study investigated (1) whether there is a relation between dynamic (isokinetic) strength and the batch-assorting strategy to initiate a manual materials handling task, and (2) how knowledge of strength influences the relation. Thirty-two participants (16 men and 16 women) were first tested for their isokinetic strengths of trunk extension, knee extension, shoulder extension, and shoulder abduction. The participants were then divided into two groups, each with 8 men and 8 women, such that the between-group strength difference was minimized. One group received knowledge feedback of their strength testing results and the other did not. All participants subsequently performed the same load handling task in which they were asked to carry batches of various weight plates while allowed to assort batches of more than one plate into any combination. Results suggested that people with greater strength tended to adopt a more aggressive handling strategy--heavier load per carry and fewer carries per batch. Receiving knowledge feedback also evoked a tendency of more aggressiveness, which was more salient in the weaker individuals. The research findings lend support to the use of strength testing in identifying higher risk handlers, and have implications for designing repetitive materials handling jobs and proper instructions to promote better strategies of balancing productivity and injury prevention.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Chromatography Occupational Health Safety Thiourea
• Keywords:
  Biodynamics Biomechanics Ergonomics Muscle-physiology Musculoskeletal-system Physical-capacity Physical-stress Physiological-factors
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Illinois ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  292
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20038388
• Citation:
  NORA Symposium 2006: Research Makes a Difference! April 18-20, 2006, Washington, DC. Washington, DC: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2006 Apr; :292
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• NORA Priority Area:
  Disease and Injury: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20030901
• Source Full Name:
  NORA Symposium 2006: Research Makes a Difference! April 18-20, 2006, Washington, DC
• End Date:
  20070831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5467a908ffaa7095898155a7dac25b6e6be1ff7821e855a3fb7880e064c4877ee23b4b29d082aabe8c486f27f2335c8695d547d627cf6e2e4b05f9b4a176ded0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181570/cdc_181570_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 354.01 KB ]