Wearable insole pressure system for automated detection and classification of awkward working postures in construction workers

Antwi‐Afari, Maxwell Fordjour; Li, Heng; Kong, Liulin

doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2018.10.004

Cited by 104 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The trunk, which is the most frequent segment covered by smart wearables for ergonomic purposes, is the human location on which also a robot [ 53 ] or a vibrotactile feedback interface [ 21 ] can be placed. Other portions on which a wearable technology can be put on are foot in the case of insole pressure systems [ 46 , 47 ], hand for a smartwatch [ 54 ], or head during the smart glasses use [ 45 ]. Those devices are ready to be worn by the users.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides sensor systems, two insole pressure systems [ 46 , 47 ] and two body-mounted smartphones [ 60 , 61 ] are developed for producing post-exposure recognition or assessment of postures, activities, or overexertion risks. Some of them (e.g., [ 46 , 60 ]) employ machine learning techniques for such recognition or assessment, such as a supervised machine learning classifier and a support vector machine learning classifier, by using MATLAB ® . MATLAB ® is a programming and numeric computing environment that is utilised by 9 studies out of 24 for analysing and processing data, and implementing machine learning techniques, algorithms, or computations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ergonomic criteria quoted in the studies are heterogeneous: 13 studies out of 24 adopt only one approach or standard, five report two types of criteria, one mentions three guidelines by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and another one is based on four methods and three standards. In particular, 4 studies out of 24 (Caputo et al [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], Antwi-Afari et al [ 46 ], Valero et al [ 63 ], Yan et al [ 64 ]) refer to the International Standard ISO 11226 [ 65 ] that concerns the acceptability of static working postures, and the suggestion of ergonomic recommendations for different work tasks performed by adult workers. Other 4 studies described in 5 papers [ 43 , 44 , 48 , 50 , 59 ] propose wearable devices to assess postures on the basis of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), i.e., a survey method for investigating work-related upper limb disorders [ 66 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review

Stefana

Marciano

Rossi

et al. 2021

Sensors

100

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Wearable devices are pervasive solutions for increasing work efficiency, improving workers’ well-being, and creating interactions between users and the environment anytime and anywhere. Although several studies on their use in various fields have been performed, there are no systematic reviews on their utilisation in ergonomics. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to identify wearable devices proposed in the scientific literature for ergonomic purposes and analyse how they can support the improvement of ergonomic conditions. Twenty-eight papers were retrieved and analysed thanks to eleven comparison dimensions related to ergonomic factors, purposes, and criteria, populations, application and validation. The majority of the available devices are sensor systems composed of different types and numbers of sensors located in diverse body parts. These solutions also represent the technology most frequently employed for monitoring and reducing the risk of awkward postures. In addition, smartwatches, body-mounted smartphones, insole pressure systems, and vibrotactile feedback interfaces have been developed for evaluating and/or controlling physical loads or postures. The main results and the defined framework of analysis provide an overview of the state of the art of smart wearables in ergonomics, support the selection of the most suitable ones in industrial and non-industrial settings, and suggest future research directions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review

Stefana

Marciano

Rossi

et al. 2021

Sensors

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies to explore the application of wearable devices in construction. One of the most studied topics is the application of wearable devices to identify unsafe worker positions [24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. The wearable devices monitor the posture and body movement of workers while they are performing various construction activities and unsafe positions are reported back to them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, workers correct their positions and prevent themselves from fatalities or injuries resulting from such postures. For this purpose, researchers have mostly used IMU-based devices [25,32,33], pressure sensors [30], and built-in smartphone sensors [26,27,31]. Other studies have used wearable devices to detect physical fatigue among workers [34,35,36], as well as the psychological status of workers [36,37] in order to prevent accidents due to unsafe worker behaviors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Tactile Sensory System Configuration for Construction Hazard Perception

Sakhakarmi

Park

2019

Sensors

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The application of tactile-based wearable devices to assist in navigation for people with low sight/low memory has demonstrated the feasibility of using such devices as a means of communication. Accordingly, a previous study in construction research investigated various parameters of tactile signals to develop a communicable system for potential application in construction hazard communication. However, the nature of construction limits the application of such devices to the body of construction workers, and it is important to understand sensor design parameters for improved communication, which has not been given significant attention yet. Therefore, this study aims to determine key design factors such as the number of motors, spacing between sensors and the layout of a tactile sensory system to be used for communicating construction hazards to workers. For this purpose, this study focused on identifying the number of motors based on extensive literature and the problem of construction safety as to hazard communication, determining the arrangement that allowed for effective delivery and perception of information with minimum effort. The researchers conducted two experimental studies: First, to determine the minimum spacing between vibration motors that allows for the identification of each individual motor with high accuracy; and second, to determine the layout of motors that is suitable for effective communication of multiple types of information. More importantly, the tactile-sensor configuration identified from this study allows the workers to learn the signal patterns easily in order to identify multiple types of information related to hazards. Using such a communication system on construction sites will assist in transmitting hazard-related information to workers, and thus, protect the lives of workers. Such wearable technologies enable the detection of individual-level hazards and prevent worker fatalities and severe injuries.

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Association of Vibrotactile Biofeedback With Reduced Ergonomic Risk for Surgeons During Tonsillectomy

Kelly

Althubaiti

Katapadi

et al. 2023

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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ImportanceWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among otolaryngologists and can be associated with decreased productivity, missed workdays, and reduced quality of life. Ergonomic risk for surgeons is elevated during common otolaryngology procedures; current ergonomic interventions lack the ability to provide real-time feedback. The ability to quantify and mitigate ergonomic risk during surgery may reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders.ObjectiveTo quantify the association of vibrotactile biofeedback with intraoperative ergonomic risk to surgeons during tonsillectomy.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and October 2021 at a freestanding tertiary care children’s hospital and included 11 attending pediatric otolaryngologists. Data analysis was conducted from August to October 2021.InterventionsReal-time quantification of ergonomic risk during tonsillectomy and the use of a vibrotactile biofeedback posture monitor.Main Outcomes and MeasuresAssociation of vibrotactile biofeedback with objective measures of ergonomic risk. Assessment tools included the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, craniovertebral angle, and time spent in an at-risk posture.ResultsEleven surgeons (mean [SD] age 42 [7] years; 2 women [18%]) performed 126 procedures with continuous posture monitoring in the presence (80 [63%]) and absence (46 [37%]) of vibrotactile biofeedback. No complications or delays associated with the device were reported. Intraoperative vibrotactile biofeedback was associated with improved Rapid Upper Limit Assessment neck, trunk, and leg scores by 0.15 (95% CI, 0.05-0.25), improved craniovertebral angle by 1.9 (95% CI, 0.32-3.40), and decreased overall time spent in an at-risk posture by 30% (95% CI, 22%-39%).Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this cross-sectional study suggest that use of a vibrotactile biofeedback device to quantify and mitigate ergonomic risk for surgeons is feasible and safe while performing surgery. Vibrotactile biofeedback was associated with reduced ergonomic risk during tonsillectomy and may have a role in improving surgical ergonomics and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

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Wearable insole pressure system for automated detection and classification of awkward working postures in construction workers

Cited by 104 publications

References 42 publications

Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review

Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review

Investigation of Tactile Sensory System Configuration for Construction Hazard Perception

Association of Vibrotactile Biofeedback With Reduced Ergonomic Risk for Surgeons During Tonsillectomy

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