Ergonomic studies of workplaces with 4.0 technologies to improve mental and physical health
The analysis of workplaces with biomechanical measurement sensor technology is still in its infancy. Currently, subjective evaluations are carried out according to different evaluation methods. The movements of the employees are already occasionally recorded by inertial sensor systems and represented by avatars. How high the physical strain is, however, is neither recorded separately nor in combination with the movements. The most frequently analyzed work centers are located in production and therefore affect all companies, regardless of which products are produced.
The measurement of stress data coupled with 3-dimensional movement data represents an essential approach to ergonomic workplace design. Nowadays, the workplace no longer needs to be simulated in a high-tech laboratory. By integrating the biomechanical measurement sensor technology in a „Portable Lab“ measurement case, the employee can be tested freely in his movement and in his usual work routine. No long preparation time is required due to the setup. With the portable lab a direct readiness to measure can be guaranteed and this without major disturbance of the employee at his workplace. In practice, this allows a holistic analysis of posture and muscular strain for specific activities and work processes.
With electromyographic measurements, psycho-physiological stress can be quantified and help to identify increased muscle tension or muscle tension (e.g. shoulder, trapezius muscle) caused by forced postures or stress. The results of EMG diagnostics help to take appropriate measures. Targeted biofeedback helps to relax tense muscles and return to a natural posture. The EMG measurement is a useful tool for assessing work processes with regard to their physical strain and for validating derived workplace changes (e.g. the use of lifting aids).
Data evaluation
The motion data can be evaluated using the well-known Rapid Upper Limb Assessment – Procedure (RULA). This creates a traffic light scheme, which classifies the probability of the employee becoming ill as a result of the work center. Based on this, the relevant work steps can then be analysed in detail.
Improving the mental and physical health of employees
The following section explains in detail the process of a holistic workplace redesign with the aim of improving the mental and physical health of employees.
One of the most important factors is the insight of the company’s management (1). Only when it has been recognized that there are problems with the workplaces of their production employees and that the solution can be achieved through a workplace analysis, is improvement possible at all. Unfortunately, this insight is currently still the case in only a few companies. Those responsible bring in external help and specialists who measure the jobs with objective analyses (2). The employees thus notice that their work is appreciated. The appreciation of their work achieves the first positive effects on the mental health of the employees (3). With the results of the biomechanical analyses and an ergonomics expert, the workplaces can be changed. For example, height-adjustable assembly tables can be purchased, the positioning of the tools can be changed so that the employee does not have to work at angles that are harmful to the joints when using them, or the work materials can be arranged more specifically, and the work area can be designed more strategically. This can reduce the risk of the employee becoming ill and physical complaints (4). However, only a combination of relationship and behavioural prevention can lead to the desired success. For this reason, parallel workshops and education/training measures on ergonomic postures and movements are carried out. Individual changes in behaviour are learned. First of all, the actual state is shown on the basis of the recordings of the motion analysis system and the video documentation. Because the insight of the employees to protect their health through ergonomic movements must also be achieved. Without the insight of the employees the target state cannot be achieved. Therefore the final workshop plays an essential role (5).
Finally, the goal is to improve the mental and physical health of the employees and to reduce the risk of illness of the employee by the workplace with measures in behavioral and relationship prevention. If no physical damage is caused by the work, the employee goes to work with a more positive attitude. Thus, physical health has both positive and negative effects on mental health.
Conclusion
With the help of ergonomic workplace analysis using Portable Lab technologies, direct improvements in the physical health of employees in production can be achieved. Indirect improvements in mental health can be seen in the following areas:
- Well-being at work by reducing physical stress
- Reduce worries about work-related injuries or damage caused by ergonomically poor movements
- Reducing pressure on employees by illustrating the profitability of healthy and satisfied employees to the management
- The feeling of the employees that their work is valued
