Ergonomical Analysis of Strenuous Work in Female Textile Employees

Abstract

The main task of the investigated women consisted in moving cops weighing about 3 kg with the left and then with the right hand over a distance of about 90 cm. Altogether 2200 - 3000 kg were manipulated with each hand. 29 women were examined. A telemetrical recording of the pulse rate during two hours was performed, completed by an inquiry on subjective feelings of fatigue and pain by a self-rating procedure before and after work. The results show that a working pulse of 30 is exceeded in about one third of all cases. Feelings of fatigue, pains in the shoulder and the wrist, total work performance and working pulse seem to be related to the degree of training and adaptation to the specific work. The usability of generally accepted valuation criteria and of the reasonable strain threshold value for heavy woman's work with a great deal of static muscle effort in practical operation is discussed. Recommendations for work simplification were elaborated.