A FIELD METHODOLOGY FOR ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS IN OCCUPATIONAL MANUAL MATERIALS HANDLING

A methodology is presented for the 'on-site' evaluation of work-relate d physical activities, In a first session, video recordings were made of six industrial plant workers during their routine occupational task s, Heart rate (I-IR) and subjective perception of effort were monitore d, The video recordings were then analysed with appropriate software t o determine the musculoskeletal load ('Vision 3000', Promatek, Montrea l) and to evaluate energy expenditure ('Energy', University of Michiga n), The indirect estimates of energy expenditure were validated in a s econd session by monitoring the six subjects' oxygen consumption (VO2) during the same activities with a portable telemetric oxgen uptake an alyser (Cosmed 'K2', Rome). No statistically significant differences w ere found between direct measurements of (V)over dot O-2 and the compu terised estimates of energy expenditure. Biomechanical parameters obta ined in the two sessions did not differ, Therefore, we conclude that t he 'Energy' programme and the 'Vision 3000' program provide a fast and reliable profile of job requirements. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.