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Evaluation of three principles for forklift steering: effects on physical workload

Rislund, Carina ; Hemphälä, Hillevi LU ; Hansson, Gert-Åke LU and Balogh, Istvan LU (2013) In International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 43(4). p.249-256
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences on the physical workload of new solutions in the forklift cab environment for the driver by quantifying the physical workload on the neck, shoulders, arms

and wrists as an effect of steering systems. Twelve male subjects conducted identical test cycles with three types of steering: normal, tilted and miniature. The physical load on the drivers was evaluated using goniometry, inclinometry and electromyography. No major differences were detected when comparing the normal to the tilted steering wheel. The miniature steering wheel showed, in comparison

to the normal steering wheel, lower velocity for the right and left wrists, lower elevation and lower velocity for the... (More)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences on the physical workload of new solutions in the forklift cab environment for the driver by quantifying the physical workload on the neck, shoulders, arms

and wrists as an effect of steering systems. Twelve male subjects conducted identical test cycles with three types of steering: normal, tilted and miniature. The physical load on the drivers was evaluated using goniometry, inclinometry and electromyography. No major differences were detected when comparing the normal to the tilted steering wheel. The miniature steering wheel showed, in comparison

to the normal steering wheel, lower velocity for the right and left wrists, lower elevation and lower velocity for the left upper arm, a reduction in load on the right trapezius muscle, respectively, and most noticeably a 6-fold increase in the “static” load and a 10-fold decrease in the time for rest/recovery for the left wrist extensor muscles. The tilted steering wheel did not have any significant effect on the workload.

However, the effects of the miniature steering wheel indicate an increased risk for over exertion resulting in disorders of the wrist and forearm for the left side.

Relevance to industry: When introducing new techniques or changes in technical systems, it is essential to evaluate the effects on the human workload with objective measurements. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
tilted, miniature, wrist movement, muscular load, upper arm elevation
in
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
volume
43
issue
4
pages
249 - 256
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • wos:000324790300001
  • scopus:84879155009
ISSN
0169-8141
DOI
10.1016/j.ergon.2013.04.011
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5c2cdd06-0f23-430b-842a-b502cf5ed0f9 (old id 1963204)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 12:53:20
date last changed
2022-02-19 01:32:56
@article{5c2cdd06-0f23-430b-842a-b502cf5ed0f9,
  abstract     = {{The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences on the physical workload of new solutions in the forklift cab environment for the driver by quantifying the physical workload on the neck, shoulders, arms<br/><br>
and wrists as an effect of steering systems. Twelve male subjects conducted identical test cycles with three types of steering: normal, tilted and miniature. The physical load on the drivers was evaluated using goniometry, inclinometry and electromyography. No major differences were detected when comparing the normal to the tilted steering wheel. The miniature steering wheel showed, in comparison<br/><br>
to the normal steering wheel, lower velocity for the right and left wrists, lower elevation and lower velocity for the left upper arm, a reduction in load on the right trapezius muscle, respectively, and most noticeably a 6-fold increase in the “static” load and a 10-fold decrease in the time for rest/recovery for the left wrist extensor muscles. The tilted steering wheel did not have any significant effect on the workload.<br/><br>
However, the effects of the miniature steering wheel indicate an increased risk for over exertion resulting in disorders of the wrist and forearm for the left side.<br/><br>
Relevance to industry: When introducing new techniques or changes in technical systems, it is essential to evaluate the effects on the human workload with objective measurements.}},
  author       = {{Rislund, Carina and Hemphälä, Hillevi and Hansson, Gert-Åke and Balogh, Istvan}},
  issn         = {{0169-8141}},
  keywords     = {{tilted; miniature; wrist movement; muscular load; upper arm elevation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{249--256}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics}},
  title        = {{Evaluation of three principles for forklift steering: effects on physical workload}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2013.04.011}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ergon.2013.04.011}},
  volume       = {{43}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}