Biomechanical assessment of handling strategies making a distinction between expert workers and inexperienced workers

Abstract

In previous work, this research team highlighted the various handling strategies specific to expert and inexperienced workers. This research's underlying hypothesis is that expert material handlers, who have extensive experience and a low incidence of injuries, have developed strategies for safe handling. In order to identify these strategies, the researchers asked students with limited materials handling experience to reproduce handling strategies characteristic of expert and novice handlers. This comparative analysis confirmed that expert handlers adopt strategies related to load balancing, handholds, foot mobility, and knee movement; these strategies improve balance and reduce joint strain, postural asymmetry and exertion. By identifying factors capable of reducing the risk of joint injuries, this project facilitated the development of effective training programmes for materials handlers.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Biomechanical evaluation of strategies discriminating between expert and novice workers Research Report: R-151

Scientific Publications

Évaluation des moments musculaires générés lors de tâches de poussée maximale
Nadeau S., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
in Congrès annuel de l'Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences /ACFAS (62e : 16-20 mai, 1994 : Montréal, Canada), Recueil des résumés de communications : sciences en mouvement : les annales de l'ACFAS, s.l., ACFAS, 1994, p. 458
Segmental dynamic analysis when throwing loads
Delisle A., Gagnon M.
Source :
International Journal of Industrial Engineering, vol. 16, no 1, 1995, p. 9-21
Effects of the base of support and knee flexion on stability while handling low lying loads
Delisle A., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
Conférence scientifique internationale sur la prévention des lésions musculosquelettiques liées au travail (Premus 95) (2e, 1995 , Montréal, Québec), 1995, p. 310-312
An approach to estimate workers' stability in manual materials handling
Delisle A., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
Biennial Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics (9e, 1996, Vancouver, B.C.), Book of abstracts, 1996, p. 76-77
Handgrip and box tilting strategies: Effect on stability and trunk and knee efforts
Delisle A., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, vol. 2, no 2, 1996, p. 109-118
Knee flexion and base of support in asymmetrical handling: Effects on the worker’s dynamic stability and the moments of the L5/S1 and knee joints
Delisle A., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
Clinical Biomechanics, vol. 13, no 7, 1998, p. 506-514
Kinematic analysis of footstep strategies in asymmetrical lifting and lowering tasks
Delisle A., Gagnon M. , Desjardins P.
Source :
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 23, nos 5-6, 1999, p. 451-460
Assesment of balance in manual material handling
Delisle A., Lortie M., Authier M.
Source :
in Advances in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety : 12th Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference (12th : June 1-4, 1997 : Washington, D.C.), 1997, p. 275-278

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0093-0700

Status: Completed

Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment

Team:

Micheline Gagnon (Université de Montréal)