Notes

Outline

The Dry-Wall Process: An Ergonomic Analysis

DEA 4700 Project Team Rebecca Asser Jed Farlow Lauren Gentile Derek Kruse Jonathan Puleio Courtney Sherman Cari Varner Andrew Waxman Ivy Yeung

History of the Project Meeting with client to discuss efficiency, safety, and satisfaction of workers Equipment redesign Video Observation Research and Ergonomic Analysis Recommended Surveys and Observational Methods Presentation

DATA COLLECTION METHODS Demoscopic Working Conditions Equipment Musculoskeletal Risk Assessment

Survey Distribution Allows quick and easy mass data collection Distributed on site Best if distributed to different projects and different companies Answer workers’ questions about survey Explain importance and use of survey Focus Group

DEMOSCOPIC DATA Personal Info Present Job Info Past Job Experience Work Hours Outside Activities Medical History

Working Conditions Daily tasks Task Distribution Daily Log Ambient Environment Safety Stress

Equipment What equipment is used/for how long Alternative equipment Equipment Preference Equipment Safety Equipment replacement User fit/ Adjustability Wrist/neck pain- data sheet

Musculoskeletal Risk Assessment Survey Effective, comprehensive way to assess musculoskeletal problems that may be caused by work Must cover all parts of body used in dry-walling

Musculoskeletal Risk Assessment Survey To be given to individual workers to fill out Divided by activity: Taping Spackling Sanding Smoothing Preliminary Effort Question for each activity

Musculoskeletal Risk Assessment Survey

Observation of Dry Wallers The OWAS Method

OWAS OWAS is an observation method which assesses dynamic work postures in relation to their discomfort, strain, stability and force exertions Postures are observed and recorded using a coding system Each posture is assessed for acceptability or appropriate immediate action

OWAS The OWAS code for posture comprises: Arm, back and legs Force of load Work phase BUT…After observing the dry wall video, it was found that the wrist and neck are also deviated in the observed tasks

Revised OWAS OWAS looks at gross postural effort, but dry walling includes neck and wrist movements Revised OWAS adds neck and wrist measures using the RULA method Revised OWAS is the best suited observation technique for dry wallers

Other Observation Notes Video taping and direct observation can be used to enhance reliability of posture data Observers should be trained on Revised OWAS coding system Observers should be calibrated to within 10% inter-observer reliability

How do I use Revised OWAS? Step 1: Choose a gross postural effort from the Matrix of Basic Work Postures (Note scores for arms, back and legs) Step 2: Assess the neck and wrist postures from the RULA scale Step 3: Determine the load of force used during the posture

How do I use Revised OWAS? Step 4: Note the work phase (task or time period) Step 5: Chose an Action Category value based on the Matrix of Basic Work Postures score Step 6: Determine the course of action necessary based on the Action Category value

Task vs. Time based OWAS The work phase score can be task or time based Task based looks at postures in each type of dry walling task individually Time based looks at postures over time and determines an Action Category score based on how much time is spent in that posture Either should be adequate

OCRA

The OCRA equation

The pros of OCRA Takes into account many factors, including effort, posture, and time. Easy to assess workers once recommended actions per shift is calculated.  Observers would just have to count how many times a task is performed. Easy to follow scoring. Uses common scales such as the Borg scale and upper limb assessments. Leaves room for adjustment with the additional element factor.

The negatives of OCRA May be difficult to derive the recommended actions per shift. Mathematical errors can skew the results. In the case of the dry wall specialists it excludes factors for back and neck posture. Recommendations from results would often suggest more recovery periods, which are not always feasible. Observer bias is possible when calculating recommended actions per shift. Not proven to be an effective index. The values of all the variables included for calculating the index are still a hypothesis awaiting validation.

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