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Analysis of Discomfort During a 4-Hour Shift in Quay Crane Operators Objectively Assessed Through In-Chair Movements

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Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) (IEA 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 823))

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the existence of possible changes in postural strategies adopted by quay crane operators during a 4-h shift performed in a simulated environment. In particular, the analysis is carried out by analyzing the trend of in-chair-movement (ICM) as indicator of discomfort and fatigue. Using a pressure sensitive mat placed on the seat pan, average and peak body-seat pressure and trunk center-of-pressure (COP) time series were acquired and processed to calculate ICMs with two methods based on pressure changes and one which considers the COP shifts. The results show a well-defined linear trend for ICM, which was detected by all the tested approaches, with significant increases occurring after 45–60 min from the beginning of the shift. However, the method which employs COP data appears potentially more adequate to accurately identify ICM due to its relative insensitivity to external factors associated with individual’s anthropometry and body composition and presence of external vibrations. Future developments of the study will be focused on establishing the suitability of the method as non-invasive early predictor of fatigue.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Brieda Cabins di Rino Brieda e figlio S.r.l. (Porcia, Italy) for making available the control station installed in the quay crane simulator, and all the operators who participated in the study. The help of Ms. Chiara Deledda and Mr. Giacomo Fenza during the acquisition process was also greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Bruno Leban, Federico Arippa & Massimiliano Pau

  2. CENTRALABS Sardinian Center of Competence for Transportation, Sardinia, Italy

    Gianfranco Fancello & Paolo Fadda

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Environment and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Gianfranco Fancello & Paolo Fadda

Authors
  1. Bruno Leban
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  2. Federico Arippa
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  3. Gianfranco Fancello
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  4. Paolo Fadda
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  5. Massimiliano Pau
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Leban .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Republic of San Marino, San Marino, San Marino

    Sebastiano Bagnara

  2. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Tartaglia

  3. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Sara Albolino

  4. Fraunhofer FKIE, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Alexander

  5. International Ergonomics Association, Tokyo, Japan

    Yushi Fujita

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Leban, B., Arippa, F., Fancello, G., Fadda, P., Pau, M. (2019). Analysis of Discomfort During a 4-Hour Shift in Quay Crane Operators Objectively Assessed Through In-Chair Movements. In: Bagnara, S., Tartaglia, R., Albolino, S., Alexander, T., Fujita, Y. (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). IEA 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 823. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96074-6_10

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