Anthropometry in Workstation Design

This study examined important risk factors and their interactions associated with physical symptoms reported by VDT users. A research model was developed. A survey was designed and conducted among 88 computer users. The results show that risk factors associated with various physical symptoms are different. Screen glare, awkward working posture, and fatigue are important factors related to physical symptoms. Psychosocial factors significantly interact with other variables, such as demographics variables, and contribute to awkward work posture and psychological stress. Workstation design variables significantly affect working postures.

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Computer Simulation for Ergonomic Bus Operator Workstation Design With Validation

Volume 2: 24th Design Automation Conference ◽

10.1115/detc98/dac-5635 ◽

1998 ◽

Author(s):

H. You ◽

B. Oesterling ◽

B. Lowe ◽

B. J. Gilmore ◽

A. Freivalds

Keyword(s):

Computer Simulation ◽

The Body ◽

Medium Size ◽

Kinematic Constraints ◽

Test Track ◽

Human Models ◽

Workstation Design ◽

Body Joints ◽

Bus Operator ◽

Simulation Package

Abstract Bus operator’s workstations neglecting ergonomic features can cause overall discomfort and injuries to the users. This paper presents use of JACK®, a human work simulation package, in designing and evaluating a bus operator workstation which can provide sufficient visibility, natural reach, and comfortable posture for operators who range from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male as defined by SAE J833 (SAE, 1994). Three human models representing the two extremes and their medium size person were created and performed 15 bus operating tasks on the bus workstation implemented in JACK®. Kinematic constraints were defined between the human models and the workstation to simulate the tasks in a realistic manner. While the human models simulated the tasks, the body joints were monitored to determine if they exceeded their comfort ranges recommended by Diffrient et al. (1981) and the workstation was evaluated in terms of visibility, reach, comfort, and adjustability. After the workstation design was refined by iterative modifications and the required component adjustment ranges were determined, the workstation design was prototyped into an actual working bus. A jury of bus operators evaluated the workstation design by operating the prototype on a test track. The response from the operators indicated that the workstation would accommodate the intended population.

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