Classification of kneeling and squatting in workers wearing protective equipment: development and validation of a rule-based model using wireless triaxial accelerometers

Tjøsvoll, Svein O.; Seeberg, Trine M.; Fimland, Marius Steiro; Wiggen, Øystein Nordrum; Jahren, Silje Ekroll

doi:10.1080/00140139.2022.2039410

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In addition, we had only access to three of eight onshore petroleum facilities in Norway. As sensors were only mounted on one side of the body, it is possible that the amount of kneeling was underestimated ( Tjøsvoll et al , 2022a ). There is also some uncertainty about the individual values for work intensity (HRR) as maximum heart rate is estimated and not measured directly through a maximal test, as this was not feasible in the current work setting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Applying rule-based models, the software is capable of classifying activities and postures, such as lying, sitting, standing, walking slowly, walking fast, moving (neither standing still nor walking), running, cycling, stair climbing, arm elevation, forward bending of the trunk and kneeling with high sensitivity and specificity (≥95%) ( Korshoj et al , 2014 ; Skotte et al , 2014 ; Hallman et al , 2015 , Hendriksen et al , 2020 , Tjøsvoll et al , 2022a ). Non-wear time was classified when no movement was detected in non-sleep periods for intervals of more than one and a half hours.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To our knowledge, all data on work demands in petroleum workers have been collected via self-reported measurements, which are imprecise and can be prone to recall bias ( Koch et al , 2016 ). Device-worn measurements are less constrained by these limitations and advances in microelectromechanical technology allow accurate body-worn solutions for measuring ergonomic risk factors ( Korshoj et al , 2014 , Skotte et al , 2014 , Hallman et al , 2015 , Stemland et al , 2015 , Hendriksen et al , 2020 , Tjøsvoll et al , 2022a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical Work Demands of Maintenance Workers on Onshore Petroleum Facilities in Norway: An Observational Study Utilizing Wearable Sensor Technology

Tjøsvoll

Fimland

González

et al. 2023

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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Objectives High physical work demands can cause musculoskeletal disorders and sick leave in petroleum workers. However, our knowledge of their physical work demands is scarce and based on self-report. The objective of our study is to work towards closing this knowledge gap by assessing the physical work demands of onshore petroleum maintenance workers using body-worn sensors. Methods A total of 46 of 69 eligible maintenance workers (37 mechanics and 9 process technicians) from three onshore petroleum facilities in Norway filled in a questionnaire and diary and wore five accelerometers and a heart rate sensor for up to six consecutive workdays. Work-related physical activity and postures were classified using rule-based modelling in a modified version of the validated Acti4 software. Results The onshore maintenance petroleum workers were working an average of 10 h a day and spent on average this time with 48% (SD = 16.5) sitting, 1% (SD = 2.8) lying down, 39% (SD = 16.2) in light physical activity, and 9% (SD = 3.8) in moderate to vigorous physical activity. During work hours while at feet, we found arm elevation ≥60° to be 11% (SD = 7.1) (68 min), and forward bending of the trunk ≥60° to be 2% (SD = 2.2) (14 min). The workers spent 2% (SD = 2.5) (12 minu) of the workhours kneeling. We observed a high inter-individual variation for all these work exposures. Moreover, 26% (12) of the workers conducted static standing for >30% of the workday, and 17% (8) spent more than half of the work hours >33% of their estimated maximal cardiovascular capacity. Conclusions While onshore maintenance petroleum workers on average spend about half of the workday sitting or lying down, the remaining worktime is spent with a rather high duration of arm elevation and forward bending. Quite high fraction of the workers spends much of the workhours in static standing and kneeling. We see a substantial variation in these work exposures between the workers. The findings indicate a need for preventive measures in how work is organized and performed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical Work Demands of Maintenance Workers on Onshore Petroleum Facilities in Norway: An Observational Study Utilizing Wearable Sensor Technology

Tjøsvoll

Fimland

González

et al. 2023

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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Assessment of Physical Work Demands of Home Care Workers in Norway: An Observational Study Using Wearable Sensor Technology

Tjøsvoll

Wiggen

González

et al. 2022

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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Objectives High physical work demands are believed to be partly responsible for the high sickness absence among home care workers, but no studies have assessed their physical work demands using precise device-based measurements. Hence, the objective of this observational study was to assess physical work demands in home care, using wearable sensors. Methods From six home care units in a large municipality in Norway, 114 of 195 eligible home care workers filled in a questionnaire, a diary about work hours, and wore five accelerometers, and a heart rate sensor for up to six consecutive workdays. Results On average, the homecare workers spent 50% of the working hours sitting, 25.2% standing, 11.4% moving, 8.3% walking fast, 1.9% walking slow, 1.2% stair-climbing, 0.3% cycling, and 0.05% running. We found the following exposures to demanding postures: arm-elevation in an upright body position ≥30° was 36.7%, ≥60° was 4.1%, and ≥90°was 0.5%; forward trunk inclination in an upright body position ≥30° was 9.9%, ≥60° was 4%, and ≥90° was 1%; and for kneeling it was 0.8%. We found the average cardiovascular load (%heart rate reserve) during work to be 28%. There was considerable individual variation in these physical exposures at work. Conclusions This study presents precise information on various physical work demands of home care workers in Norway. Home care workers spent on average half the workday sitting and the remaining time in various occupational physical activities. Presently, few device-based exposure limits have been proposed for acceptable amounts of occupational physical exposures, but the level of arm-elevation, forward trunk inclination, and the considerable variation of physical workloads among home care workers, indicate that preventive measures should be taken.

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Classification of kneeling and squatting in workers wearing protective equipment: development and validation of a rule-based model using wireless triaxial accelerometers

Cited by 2 publications

References 33 publications

Physical Work Demands of Maintenance Workers on Onshore Petroleum Facilities in Norway: An Observational Study Utilizing Wearable Sensor Technology

Physical Work Demands of Maintenance Workers on Onshore Petroleum Facilities in Norway: An Observational Study Utilizing Wearable Sensor Technology

Assessment of Physical Work Demands of Home Care Workers in Norway: An Observational Study Using Wearable Sensor Technology

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