The Sensor-Based Biomechanical Risk Assessment at the Base of the Need for Revising of Standards for Human Ergonomics

Abstract

Due to the epochal changes introduced by “Industry 4.0”, it is getting harder to apply the varying approaches for biomechanical risk assessment of manual handling tasks used to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) considered within the International Standards for ergonomics. In fact, the innovative human–robot collaboration (HRC) systems are widening the number of work motor tasks that cannot be assessed. On the other hand, new sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment could be used for both quantitative “direct instrumental evaluations” and “rating of standard methods”, allowing certain improvements over traditional methods. In this light, this Letter aims at detecting the need for revising the standards for human ergonomics and biomechanical risk assessment by analyzing the WMDs prevalence and incidence; additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of traditional methods listed within the International Standards for manual handling activities and the next challenges needed for their revision are considered. As a representative example, the discussion is referred to the lifting of heavy loads where the revision should include the use of sensor-based tools for biomechanical risk assessment during lifting performed with the use of exoskeletons, by more than one person (team lifting) and when the traditional methods cannot be applied. The wearability of sensing and feedback sensors in addition to human augmentation technologies allows for increasing workers’ awareness about possible risks and enhance the effectiveness and safety during the execution of in many manual handling activities.

Ergonomics and Human Factors as a Requirement to Implement Safer Collaborative Robotic Workstations: A Literature Review

“…WMSD are the major health problem in developed countries [2], and WMSD have been an important cause for absenteeism and productivity loss in the manufacturing industry [3,4]. The annual incidence of these occupational disorders ranges between a quarter and a third of all occupational diseases [5]. WMSD are defined as a set of painful inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the joints, spinal discs, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and peripheral nerves.…”

“…WMSD are defined as a set of painful inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the joints, spinal discs, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and peripheral nerves. The origin of these disorders is frequently associated with physical risk factors of manual handling such as repetitive movements of body parts, heavy lifting, and awkward postures [5].…”

“…A recently added solution for reducing WMSD is collaborative robots (Cobots) [4]. The European Union is contributing significantly to increase the effort in this field by recognizing Cobots as one of the technologies that can positively influence the economy and society [5]. Cobots have been developed to support human operators in the physical workload of manufacturing tasks with a certain degree of flexibility, using intuitive programming interfaces to accomplish that [6].…”

“…In addition to dealing with the improvement of the operator posture, these applications also care to provide the robot with the cognitive ability to communicate with the operator in real-time and make a job a true collaboration [22]. Ranavolo et al [5] performed a literature review to investigate the need for revising the standards for human ergonomics and biomechanical risk assessment. The conclusions show that the need for revising these standards is mainly because of the use of innovative human augmentation technologies in the workplace, which makes traditional methods of WMSD risk assessment not applicable since they have relatively low reliability and cover only part of the workday [23].…”

Accuracy of a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Wearable Goniometer for Measuring Wrist Motion

“…Within the study of ergonomics, there has been interest in developing risk assessments which leverage the availability of wearable technologies. A shift towards wearable kinematic monitoring would allow for more comprehensive monitoring of ergonomic risk factors [ 23 ]. This would also allow an exploration of individual-specific, as well as job-specific postural risk factors [ 16 ].…”