Evaluation of ergonomic risk factors among veterinary ultrasonographers

Between 65% and 91% of human‐patient sonographers report musculoskeletal symptoms related to their work activities. Ergonomic risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include force, repetition, and awkward postures of the upper extremities. We hypothesized that veterinary sonographers experience similar risk factor exposures as their colleagues in human‐patient sonography, and that work‐related exposures may lead to similar prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography published MSD prevention guidelines in 2003. Similar guidance for sonographers examining animal patients does not exist. This cross‐sectional study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among veterinary sonographers and identify reported risk factors. A 59‐item survey questionnaire was administered via email to veterinary specialists likely to perform ultrasound. Musculoskeletal pain related to performing ultrasound exams was reported by 62% of the respondents. Musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR], 4.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04–10.19), age (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.10), previous work‐related trauma (OR, 6.86; 95% CI, 1.71, 27.40), not consistently using a normal height chair (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.19, 5.80), and 15°–45° abduction of shoulder (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.11, 4.92) . It was concluded that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among veterinary sonographers was similar to that occurring in human‐patient sonographers. © 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.     

Wood transportation machine replacement using goal programming

ABSTRACT

Farm tractor?+?trailers play a key role in wood transportation after forests are logged. Despite of the fact that a forwarder is a forestry vehicle that carries felled logs for shorter distances off the ground, tractors are still used in some forest areas of the world, such as the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran. This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of using both the light forwarder and forestry trailer instead of a farm tractor?+?trailer in wood transportation. The optimal machine option for wood transportation is determined using goal programming model in the study area. In this paper, multi-objective goals (such as economic, operational, environmental and ergonomic) were considered. The results showed that considering only the economic goal, the contractor could save up to 44% in costs by purchasing and replacing a forestry trailer with a 2-wheel trailer attached to the farm tractor. In addition, considering various goals, a light forwarder could be selected as the optimal machine. Currently, the most important objectives of all forest contractors are to establish economic goals and reduce wood transportation costs. Since other goals, such as environmental and ergonomic, are also important; it is suggested that multi-objective approaches should use for planning.     

割灌机作业噪声及其对园林工人脑波的影响

对18名园林工人操作背负式割灌机和侧挂式割灌机作业的噪声声级进行实地测量，得出了园林工人在使用打草绳、2齿刀具、4齿刀具和40齿刀具进行割灌作业时每个工作日的噪声暴露剂量。根据园林工人的作业习惯，对两种割灌机使用不同刀具切割不同植株的作业噪声分别进行检测记录，得出了两种割灌机在怠速空转、低速作业和高速作业状态中的声级和频率。对暴露在割灌机噪声下的园林工人进行脑电测量，对比脑电α和β波频带的平均功率谱密度比值R，分析了噪声对园林工人心理负荷的影响，对园林绿化部门提出了噪声控制的建议措施。      

工作状态下不同驾驶员心率变异性对比分析

本文从人机工程学的角度出发,运用了时域分析方法,通过设计行车实验,分析了驾驶员在正常驾驶状态时影响心率交化的各种因素.初步获得驾驶员本身、外界因素对驾驶员生理变化的影响程度.