Abstract
An ergonomic intervention of the construction of the Medium Girder Bridge was conducted. In this study, task observation, a sample survey, ergonomic assessment, and ergonomic intervention were conducted. Survey results were collected (n = 58), and served to identify the population and areas for ergonomic improvement. The revised NIOSH lifting equation and University of Michigan 3D Static Strength Prediction Program were then used to analyze manual materials handling tasks. By redesigning the hand tools used for bridge construction, the average NIOSH lifting index was decreased by 0.4 (−16%) and the average L5/S1 disc compression was reduced by 1700 N (−36%). These results along with other ergonomic improvements will be validated in a pending field study.
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