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Salwa Mahmood, Ahmad Zahin Zainal Rashid, Nurul Ainina Nadhirah Tajurahim, Helmy Mustafa El Bakri, Ismail Abdul Rahman, Noorul Azreen Azis,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (10-2024)
Abstract

This study addresses ergonomic risks faced by firefighters during hose rolling activities, a physically demanding task that can lead to musculoskeletal issues. Building on a previous project conducted at the Bukit Gambir Fire and Rescue Station, this research expands the analysis by comparing four different hose rolling postures: roll and coil, dutch roll, flaking, and figure of eight. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method was used to evaluate the ergonomic risk levels of each posture. To further enhance firefighter safety, a preventive strategy tool was proposed and developed. The tool’s design was tested using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in SolidWorks to assess the structural performance of its alloy steel hook and shaft under load. Simulation results showed stress levels below the material’s yield strength, and factor of safety (FOS) analysis confirmed the tool’s structural reliability. This project takes a holistic approach to understanding and mitigating ergonomic risks in firefighting. This study found that the structural of an assistive tool is safe and confirming the robustness and reliability of both the hook and alloy steel shaft designs. By combining ergonomic assessment with engineering simulation, it not only identifies high-risk postures but also provides a practical solution to reduce strain and prevent injury. Ultimately, the project contributes to improving the safety and well-being of firefighters, supporting a safer work environment for those who risk their lives to protect others.
 
Rezki Amelia Aminuddin A.p., Hari Purnomo, Hartomo Soewardi,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (10-2024)
Abstract

The rapid digitalization of higher education in Indonesia has transformed teaching practices but also presents serious obstacles to the physical and emotional well-being of lecturers. This study examines the impact of ergonomic policies on lecturer well-being through the integration of macroergonomics and social engineering perspectives and formulates policies for improving lecturer emotional well-being. To collect information, the study used different methods, including a survey of 100 lecturers with established tools like the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and ergonomic condition assessment, as well as personal insights from interviews with 10 chosen lecturers. The digital training program and the unergonomic work environment significantly contributed to increased levels of stress and emotional exhaustion. Specifically, 60% of lecturers reported back pain, 55% experienced eye strain, and 50% reported high levels of negative affect. Interview results corroborated these issues and revealed a widespread lack of institutional support. The strategy designed was an integrated ergonomic intervention, including furniture adjustments, enhanced digital skills development, and comprehensive mental health support, to improve lecturer productivity and emotional well-being.

Muhammad Nabhan Mohamed Nadzri, Azizan Ramli, Juwari Juwari,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (10-2024)
Abstract

Start-up operations in small chemical plants represent a critical yet underexplored phase for human error analysis. This study presents the first systematic application of the Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM) to assess human reliability during start-up operations of three utility systems steam boilers, water-cooling pumps, and air compressors in a small Malaysian chemical plant. Unlike existing studies that focus on routine operations or large-scale facilities, this research addresses the unique challenges of manual start-up procedures in resource-constrained environments. Both basic and extended CREAM versions were applied using Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) validated by seven experts with more than 10 years of experience. The analysis revealed that all systems predominantly operated under tactical control mode, with human error probabilities ranging from 0.073 to 0.121. Water-cooling pump operations showed the highest risk (0.320) due to time constraints and collaboration quality issues, while boiler operations demonstrated the lowest risk (0.014) through structured procedures. Critical failure modes were identified in observation and timing-related tasks, particularly in speed verification and parameter adjustment subtasks. This study demonstrates CREAM's applicability to small-scale chemical plant start-ups and provides quantitative reference values for integrating human reliability assessment into Process Safety Management (PSM) systems. The findings support targeted interventions including procedural standardization, enhanced training for high-risk subtasks, and improved shift handover protocols to reduce human error in early-phase operations.

Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Koustuv Dalal, Hashem Mosaddad, Karmegam Karuppiah,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (9-2018)
Abstract

Introduction: This review article has tried to explore the economic effectiveness of ergonomics.
Methods: In this review, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science were selected to find the related articles based on two keywords of ‘ergonomics’ and ‘economics’. Eleven full-text articles (1 in PubMed, 8 in EBSCO, and 2 in Web.Sci.) were included in the study.
Results: Articles show that ergonomics interventions have an association with economics and productivity; however 3 out of 11 articles didn’t show a clear interconnection between ergonomics and economic benefits. All of the reviewed articles conducted at workplaces and also were related to occupational ergonomics, but in a single case, the ergonomics product design was reflected a cost-benefit approach.
Discussion: The role of a healthy workforce and ergonomics design regard to both employees’ efficiency and business growth, are often neglected. According to reviewed papers, the role of ergonomics in green economics toward sustainability is inevitable. However, there are some challenges to persuade the industrial sectors’ managers about the economics side of ergonomics in which limited documents and the lack of ergonomics-economics models and procedures are critical.
Conclusion: This review emphasized on at least two approaches. One of them is the necessities of publishing papers, including valid economics model about industrial ergonomics, another one is to develop some economics tools to confirm the benefits of ergonomic product design. If some appropriate economic models or techniques merge into ergonomics intervention projects, whether industrial ergonomics or product design, more feasible and better outcomes will gain in which both of the employees and customers are satisfied. 
Mangesh Phate, Pratik Gaikwad,
Volume 29, Issue 4 (12-2018)
Abstract

In the present work, the biodynamic response behavior of seated human body subject to vibration in vertical direction have been extensively examined. The biodynamic response parameter of seated human body have been analyzed in terms of apparent masss (AM).The AM describe “to –the -body”force motion relationship at the interface of huma and seat. The present work proposed the six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) analytic biodynamic model of the seated human posture with the backrest in the vertical vibration direction to study the biodynamic response of various mass, stiffness and the damping coefficient. Field test were carried out using a TATA Nanocar to verify the vibrational comfort. The tests were carried out on different surface and the at different speed using Fast fourier transform (FFT) analyuzer. Acceleration were measured on both seat and head and the related calculation were done using MATLAB. This paper will help to analyze and provide the vibrational comfort to the car driver and the passangers on different road conditions.  
Shimelis Mihretu, Mahesh Gopal,
Volume 32, Issue 4 (12-2021)
Abstract

The study investigates the impact of work environment on organizational performance in Ethiopiachr('39')s Arjo Dedessa Sugar Factory (ADSF) and Finchaa Sugar Factory (FSF), as well as the relationship between physical work environment, work-related risk and injuries, psychological work environment, and social work environment. The total number of people employed in two industries is 867 and 2824. To examine the work-related environment condition, a stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 266 and 338 employees. A 60% response rate has been achieved. Statistical software SPSS V 23.0 was used to analyze and determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables using Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. The findings show that employees in ADSF have a moderate social work environment compared to those in FSF, but both organizationschr('39') physical work environments are the least conducive. Both ADSF and FSFchr('39')s physical work environments had statistically significant effects on their performance. The suggestion was made to improve the social environment in order to improve the employeeschr('39') psychological health.
Hamed Alizadeh, Ali Khavanin, Farahnaz Khajehnasiri, Niloofar Valizadeh, Ali Salehi Sahlabadi,
Volume 34, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract

Background: The lighting of the work environment and its quantitative and qualitative characteristics, such as the intensity of the light and the color temperature, as a physical characteristic, have a great impact on the mental health, behavior and performance of people. The physical factors of the work environment, the personality type and behavioral characteristics of people are effective in their efficiency and productivity. Methods: The current research is an interventional and laboratory research which was done in 2022, 35 male students of Tarbiat Modares University were studied. This study was designed in 3 locations with different lighting systems of LED lamps with color temperature of 3000, 4000 and 5000 degrees Kelvin. Stroop test software was used to check cognitive activities and Neo questionnaire was used to determine personality type. Results: The results showed that the average reaction time when facing the LED lamp with a color temperature of 4000 degrees Kelvin in the group of consonant words was the lowest (average response time 601.22 milliseconds) and at a color temperature of 3000 degrees Kelvin in the group of dissonant words the highest value (average 88. 645 milliseconds). The average number of errors in the group of dissonant words was the highest when faced with a color temperature of 3000 degrees Kelvin (the average number of errors was 10.8), the lowest amount of errors was observed in the group of consonant words at a color temperature of 5000 degrees Kelvin (the average number of errors was 2.71 ). Also, according to the obtained results and checking the interference score of the people, which shows the level of their selective attention, it was found that the average interference score at the color temperature of 3000 degrees Kelvin is the highest (average 6.05) and when faced with the color temperature of 4000 degrees Kelvin The lowest value was (average 4.14). The results of investigating the relationship between cognitive activities and the personality type of the subjects studied at different color temperatures showed that there was a negative and significant correlation between the interference score of the personality type of the subjects at a temperature of 3000 degrees Kelvin (P value = 0.33). Also, by examining this relationship at a color temperature of 5000 degrees Kelvin, it was found that there is a negative and significant correlation between the interference score and the interference time (another parameter affecting selective attention) with the personality type of people (P value = 0.42 and 0.38, respectively). = P value) Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the LED lighting system with high color temperature can be effective on people's cognitive performance by reducing errors and increasing attention and reaction time. In order to improve people's cognitive performance, it is suggested to use lighting system with high color temperature in sensitive places. 


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