Comparison of biomechanical loading during use of conventional stud welding equipment and an alternate system

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fethke NB ; Gant LC ; Gerr F
• Description:
  We investigated the effect of an alternative welding system designed to reduce exposure to extreme trunk flexion on measures of trunk inclination and muscle activity. Among 10 participants, data were collected while using conventional stud welding equipment and while using the alternate system. Paired t-tests were used to compare results between the two welding systems. Mean trunk inclination angle was reduced with the alternate system (34.4 degree versus 9.7 degree, p less than 0.01). Percent time with trunk inclination angles greater than 60 degree was also reduced (40.0 percent versus 4.7 percent, p less than 0.01). In general, the alternate system resulted in less desirable upper trapezius muscle activity levels. The alternate system appears to be effective in reducing exposure to extreme trunk flexion among stud welders. Continued development of the system should explore features designed to reduce shoulder forces and improve productivity. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Construction Industry Engineering Epidemiology Ergonomics Men Musculoskeletal System Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Welding

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Construction Biomechanical Engineering Biomechanics Body Mechanics Body Regions Construction Equipment Engineering Controls Equipment Design Human Factors Engineering Measurement Equipment Muscle Function Muscle Physiology Musculoskeletal System Posture Spinal Cord Trunk Posture Welders Welding Equipment

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• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  42
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20039487
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2011 Jul; 42(5):725-734
• Contact Point Address:
  Nathan Fethke, University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental Health, UI Research Park, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
• Email:
  nathan-fethke@uiowa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20240831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:35f2b3a1a4fb7ed5474f6603add5061b111d6ef6805a944ace3fc6536139570088064147e5da9286f1051541baf09876bf7feb34eeb96569fc7e7b1c75e6e902
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/192724/cdc_192724_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 979.74 KB ]