The analysis of the postural attitude of workers during the interaction with workstation’s elements and working environment is essential in the evaluation and prevention of biomechanical overload risk in workplaces. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) are the two easiest methods for postural risk assessment in the workplace. Few studies investigated postural risk in forestry sector with regard to human–machine interaction, in particular manually fed wood-chippers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postures assumed by an operator during the manual feeding of a wood-chipper, and to compare RULA and REBA, in order to identify the more effective and appropriate method for the assessment of the risk of biomechanical postural overload. The results pointed out several postural issues of the upper limbs, and showed that RULA is a more precautionary method to protect operator’s health during the targeted tasks. Implications to improve the human–wood-chipper interaction are discussed.

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Objective: To identify the critical behaviors that may hinder the correct use of foldable rollover protective structures (FROPS) on tractors and to explore the influence of user factors and FROPS technical characteristics. Background: FROPS are effective in preventing fatal injuries in rollover accidents if they are in the upright position. However, many farmers leave FROPS folded down. Method: Twenty farmers and sixteen models of tractors were involved in the study. Operators were observed while raising the FROPS, and the observed behaviors were correlated with user factors and FROPS technical features. Results: In the initial rotation of the FROPS, higher lowered roll-bar to ground distance and FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance required more awkward and unbalanced postures ( p = .02 and p = .01, respectively). When rotating the FROPS in upright position, smaller stature of the participants and higher FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance were significantly correlated with using the tractor’s rear 3-point lower links as a supporting surface ( p = .01 and p = .02, respectively). Conclusion: FROPS might be revised considering users’ comfort in use and anthropometric variability, to improve reachability, avoid risky behaviors, and enhance FROPS operation. Application: Technical solutions to enhance FROPS accessibility may be developed, particularly by providing safe surfaces to support operators and highlighting the grasping points. Further best practices and information on correct gestures to handle the FROPS should be included in the tractor manual.

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Background/Objectives: during pregnancy, body composition alterations can be considered as markers of complications and in this context, a non-invasive and low-cost method such as Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA), can be employed to monitor such changes. This study aimed at identifying body compartments trend during physiological pregnancy. Subjects/Methods: classic and specific BIVA variables have been measured in a sample of 37 pregnant women approximately every 4 weeks of gestation and once postpartum. Researchers used both longitudinal and cross-sectional approach. The first case included data of women from the 11 th to the 15 th week along with data from the 28 th to the 32 nd week of gestation. The cross-sectional approach regarded two more specific moments ( 11th -12 th weeks and 30 th -31 st weeks) and data within two months postpartum. Results: the longitudinal approach showed a significant decrease in classic BIVA variables (R/H, Xc/H, Z/H p<0.001) and a shortening of the vector, pointing out that TBW and hydration increased significantly. Specific vector length increased significantly, indicating a physiological gain of FM% (p<0.01). The cross-sectional approach showed lower values of R/H, Xc/H, Z/H between 12 th -13 th and 30 th -31 st weeks (p<0.01), while in the postpartum period values tended to those registered at the beginning of pregnancy. No changes have been found for the phase angle in both approaches, indicating that ECW/ICW ratio remained constant. Conclusions: among physiological pregnancies, bioelectric values showed a coherent trend and these results represent a first contribution to support routine exams, leading to an early detection of anomalous values potentially correlated to pathologies.