Three evaluations of task-surface heights in elderly people's homes.

The aim of the study was to compare subjective evaluations of the heights of some kitchen facilities and furniture with an expert's opinion of the same heights and with the height recommendations derived from the subjects' anthropometric data. Experiments were conducted in a mock-up simulator, where the subjects, a group of the Finnish elderly (N = 55), performed small tasks similar to the typical daily living activities at home. The mock-up room consisted of "task-surfaces" whose heights were adjustable to various fixed positions. For example, three identical chairs with different heights were available. In their subjective assessments, the elderly systematically rated the 450 mm-high chair as the most suitable. The lowest (350 mm) and the highest (550 mm) chairs were not liked. The other two evaluations supported this conclusion. The height of the lowest kitchen shelf should not be lower than 300 cm. A work surface height of 850 mm seems preferable for most of the Finnish elderly. The different evaluation procedures gave relatively consistent results, but some important differences were also noticed and are discussed.

Ergonomic aspects of a virtual environment.

A virtual environment is an interactive graphic system mediated through computer technology that allows a certain level of reality or a sense of presence to access virtual information. To create reality in a virtual environment, ergonomics issues are explored in this paper, aiming to develop the design of presentation formats with related information, that is possible to attain and to maintain user-friendly application.

Work-related problems in metal handling tasks in Bangladesh: obstacles to the development of safety and health measures.

Many manual labourers in Bangladesh are involved with metal-handling tasks that are both physically demanding and stressful. The metal workers have been significantly exposed to prolonged hammering and cutting activities in excessive noise and with awkward body postures. Moreover, stressors from heat and humidity, welding fumes and metal dusts often cause excess strain, and are reflected in a deterioration of their physical work performance. Indeed, physical work is the economic source in many developing countries for the support of worker's family and relatives. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles and a lack of efficient steps to restore ergonomics principles as well as occupational safety and health measures. Thus, in this paper, tasks, and jobs are classified and analysed from the results of an ergonomics survey from 343 subjects (293 adults men, age 20-40 years; 17 women, 19-32 years) and 33 child workers (14-17 years). Four types of metal working sites from two districts in Bangladesh were surveyed using questionnaires and interviews. The results showed that a significant number of workers experienced a high prevalence of work-related problems. The main aim was to identify stressful task that are related to musculoskeletal and psychosocial symptoms. Moreover, the findings reveal the possibility of why ergonomics measures are unsuccessful; and if they could have an immediate effect on the safety and health of metal workers in Bangladesh.

Safety and indoor mobility in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to find the basis for developing and adapting the environment to support the easy and safe moving of the elderly. In the field study, the daily activities and previous falls were inquired, the performance of the elderly was examined and the safety of the residential environment was surveyed among 70-80 years old subjects (N15). The second part was performed in the laboratory. 70-80 years old subjects (N55) walked on the test track. The risk level of most houses studied was moderate. In the residential surveying, all subjects had problems to stretch to high levels and most had problems to stretch to low levels. In the laboratory, errors happened often during line walking and zigzag walking in the stick track. Unsteadiness in gait was caused by extra pieces on the track and box carrying in one third of the subjects. The old subjects estimated that stairs somewhat lower than normally recommended were easier to climb. The results indicated, that new criteria and regulations are needed for the residential environment for the elderly and that it is possible to improve the safety of indoor mobility among the elderly in many ways.

Ergonomic design of machinery for use in the cold. A review based on the literature and original research.

The main purpose of this paper is to identify some important problems associated with ergonomics of the human-machine-task-environment system under cold conditions. Practical examples of stress, strain and accident risks based on the literature and original research are given, and needs and possibilities for improving the ergonomic design of machinery are described. The awareness of designers to the demands set by cold conditions should be increased. Both the need for better operability and the need for better maintainability of machinery in the cold argue for the development of a new, systematic engineering design methodology.

The protective influence of logger's safety equipment.

The effects of loggers' personal protectors and the safety equipment of chain saws were investigated with a postal questionnaire. The sample included 1,200 loggers. The main purpose of the inquiry was to collect data on accidents and near-accidents; special attention was paid to the role and behavior of protective devices in both accident and near-accident situations. Twenty-seven percent of power saw operators reported incidents (near-accidents) which had occurred within the last year and in which some personal protector or piece of safety equipment had prevented harmful mechanical contact. The workers estimated that the average absence from work due to these reported near-accidents would have been 15 workdays if the injury had not been prevented. Sixty percent of the near-accidents occurred during limbing operations, and 30% during falling. The protective equipment which most often prevented injuries was safety boots, which were followed by the safety helmet and leg protectors. The chain of the saw was stopped by the safety padding of the protective equipment in every other near-accident involving chain saws. The chain was blocked by padding material in every sixth situation . In 10% of the near-accidents, the chain perforated the protective equipment.

Protection of the head and eyes in forestry work.

The helmet used in forestry work is the same as that in industrial use. The eye protector, which is usually a face shield made from wire mesh, is fastened to the helmet. The aim of the present study was the clarification of the frequency of use of, the protection afforded by, and the need for improvement in the helmet and eye protector. A questionnaire, an interview, observations, accident and near-accident reports, and user and laboratory tests were used for this purpose. Eighty-eight percent of loggers always use a helmet, and 32% an eye protector. According to official statistics and the questionnaire, in 1980, 8 to 15 of every 100 accidents in logging injured the head or eyes. Loggers reported that the helmet was too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The low utilization rate for eye protectors is partly explained by design defects. The protectors become frosted in the winter; there is poor visibility through the protectors when it rains or is dark; the protectors cause glare in sunshine. Product development seems to be necessary so that the helmet and eye protector can better fulfill the special requirements of forestry work.