Principles of materials handling, and related risk assessment criteria

Abstract

Materials handlers in the transportation sector are particularly prone to back disorders. This project identified safe work practices and developed risk assessment criteria for materials handling.

Biomechanical studies were conducted in groups of subjects with varying levels of handling experience. The principal findings were: impulsive movements are particularly hazardous; pivoting on one's feet is an effective means of reducing lower back loading and asymmetrical postures; experienced workers adopt safer work practices (slower work pace, reduced back effort, more symmetrical posture).

To perform a risk assessment of handling, equations were developed which predict the muscular utilisation rate (MUR), which is the ratio of the muscular required by a task to the maximum moment which a worker can develop. Maximum effort was predicted by regression equations which were developed and validated in this project. In tasks such as lifting heavy objects, MUR is very dependent on angular velocity and trunk posture. Using MUR, it is possible to quantify the force exerted in the execution of complex tasks.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Publications

Magnitude of torsional and lateral bending moments at L5/S1 joint during symmetrical sagittal plane lifting
Gagnon D., Gagnon M.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 25, no 7, 1992, p. 739
The influence of dynamic factors on triaxal net muscular moments at the L5/S1 joint during asymmetrical lifting and lowering
Gagnon D., Gagnon M.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 25, no 8, 1992, p. 891-901
Acceleration effects on joint loadings in lifting tasks
Gagnon M., Smyth G.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 25, no 7, 1992, p. 738
Biomechanical exploration on dynamic modes of lifting
Gagnon M., Smyth G.
Source :
Ergonomics, vol. 35, no 3, March 1992, p. 329-345
The dynamics of pushing loads onto shelves of different heights
Gagnon M., Beaugrand S., Authier M.
Source :
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 9, 1992, p.1-13
Muscular mechanical energy expenditure as a process for detecting potential risks in manual materials handling
Gagnon M., Smyth G.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 24, no 3-4, 1991, p. 191-203
Loads on body joints and the lumbar spine when lifting and lowering boxes
Smyth G., Gagnon M.
Source :
in Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety II : Proceedings of the Annual Internationa Industrial Ergonomics & Safety Conference, (June 10-13, 1990 : Montréal, Canada), 1990
Handling techniques : Impact of the context on the choice of grip and box movements in experts and novices
Authier M., Lortie M., Gagnon M.
Source :
in Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety, vol. VI, Aghazadeh, F. (ed.), New York, N.Y., Taylor & Francis, 1994, p. 687-693
Analyse dynamique des lancers de charge
Delisle A., Gagnon M.
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. 456
Development of predictive equations of maximal static moments generated by the extensor and axial rotator muscles of the trunk
Gravel D., Gagnon M., Plamondon A., Desjardins P.
Source :
Biennal Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics (8e, 1994, Calgary, Alb.), Proceeding, 1994, p. 200-201
The processes of impact absorption when handling loads
Gagnon M., Plamondon A., Gravel D.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 27, no 6, 1994, p. 712
Moments at the L5/S1 joint in four dynamic lifting conditions
Plamondon A., Gagnon M., Gravel D.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 27, no 6, 1994, p. 717
Moments at the L5/S1 joint during asymmetrical lifting : Effects of different load trajectories and initial load positions
Plamondon A., Gagnon M., Gravel D.
Source :
Journal of Clinical Biomechanics, vol. 10, 1995, p. 128-136
The optimal placement of boxes on the shelves of a food product warehouse
Smyth G., Gagnon M.
Source :
Journal of Applied Biomechanics, vol. 11, 1995, p. 337-350
Predictive models of lumbar loadings when handling boxes
Smyth G., Gagnon M., Roy R.
Source :
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, vol. 1, 1995, p. 64-77
Biomechanical assessment of four techniques of pushing a load with a maximal effort
Nadeau S., Gagnon M.
Source :
Conférence scientifique internationale sur la prévention des lésions musculosquelettiques liées au travail (Premus 95) (2e, 1995 , Montréal, Québec), 1995, p. 307-309
Dynamic response analysis of a combined suspension seat-driver model involving travel limiting bump stop impacts
Boileau P.-É., Rakheja S., Liu P. J.
Source :
in CSME Forum SCMG 1996, La théorie des machines et mécanismes et Les progrès en matière de systèmes de transport (1996 : Hamilton, Canada), 1996, p. 372-376
Asymmetric low back loading in asymmetric lifting movements is not prevented by pelvic twist
Plamondon A., Gagnon M. , Gravel D.
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 32, no 6, 1999, p. 635-636
Load acceleration and footstep strategies in asymmetrical lifting and lowering
Delisle A., Gagnon M., Desjardins P.
Source :
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, vol 2, no 3, p. 185-195

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0091-1120

Status: Completed

Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment

Team:

Micheline Gagnon (Université de Montréal)
Denis Gravel (Université de Montréal)