Work load reduction through a new roll container traction device.

PURPOSE: For the distribution of dairy products, crates and roll containers are used. A roll container that is fully stacked with crates has a mass of 600 kg. The forces required to handle these roll containers, often aggravated by rough paving and inclined tailboards, are far in excess of ergonomic standards. This explains the high level of absenteeism among lorry drivers due to musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of this study was to reduce work load. METHOD: A new traction device for roll containers was developed, which couples easily and provides for easy manoeuvring. On a test circuit with obstacles, ten professional lorry drivers (aged 29-53 years) performed a user-test, both with and without the device. During the tests heart rate, blood pressure and time for completion of the track were measured. RESULTS: Heart rates were significantly lower with the traction device, the length of time needed to complete the track showed greater uniformity, and thanks to ease of use no prior lessons were necessary. CONCLUSION: The prototype was also tested by a lorry driver that was disabled by low back pain. With this device he was able to return to work.

The twisting force of aged consumers when opening a jar.

Many people experience difficulty when opening a vacuum-sealed jar. Yet solutions to the problem continue to be tool-based rather than exploring the possibility of innovative changes in product packaging. Improvement depends on gaining knowledge of the capabilities of users, and of using that knowledge as a base for product innovation. To establish such a base we took a sample of 750 subjects and asked them two questions about how they opened jars at home. We then carried out torque measurements using a force transducer shaped like a jam jar. We reached the conclusion that if opening torque was reduced to 2 N m then 97.6% of users between 50 and 94 years of age and 100% of 20-30 year old users would have no difficulty opening a jar.