Manual transport aids (trucks and trolleys) are in widespread use throughout most industries, but their use does not always result in the anticipated reduction of workload or musculoskeletal stress. A survey of users has shown that many of the aids currently used are poorly designed or inappropriate for the tasks performed. The information gained during the survey has been analysed to identify ...

This study investigated the ability of the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (RNLE) to measure the risk of low back injury as verified by employee health outcomes. In addition, several basic risk factors and combinations of risk factors presumed related to low back disorders were explored. The RNLE was modified to allow analysis of one-handed and two-handed, asymmetric lifts. Predictive performanc...

An automated system is being developed for handling large payloads of radioactive nuclear materials in an analytical laboratory. The automation system performs unpacking and repacking of payloads from shipping and storage containers, and delivery of the payloads to the stations in the laboratory. The system uses machine vision and foradtorque sensing to provide sensor-based control of the autom...

Stooped, restricted, kneeling, and other awkward postures adopted during manual materials handling have frequently been associated with LBP onset. However, lift assessment tools have focused on materials handling performed in an upright, or nearly upright standing posture. Unfortunately, many of the tools designed to analyze standing postures are not easily adapted to jobs requiring restricted ...

A manufacturing workcell model employs behavior-based swarm robots whose emergent behavior successfully performs the workcell’s required materials handling without central planning. Swarm robots are groups of autonomous mobile robots whose sensory-driven state behavior produces emergent group functionality not characteristic of the individual robots. Processing machines within the workcell broa...

For many industrial tasks (push, pull, lift, carry, etc.), restrictions on grip locations and visibility constrain the hand and head positions and help to define feasible postures. In contrast, foot locations are often minimally constrained and an ergonomics analyst can choose several different stances in selecting a posture to analyze. Also, because stance can be a critical determinant of a bi...

I describe the automation/mechanization of several areas of sample processing at SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories. By analyzing and implementing new systems for conveyance and sorting of incoming specimens, specimen processing, within-laboratory specimen delivery, specimen storage and retrieval, and client resupply, we greatly improved the productivity of the nontechnical aspects of lab...