工业工程与管理

An Ergonomic Case Study of Scale-Pits in Transportation

Abstract

Cleve Mortimer, Pamela McCauley-Bush, Lesia Crumpton-Young and Reza Kordestani

In the transportation industry, human technicians are involved in weighing loads that are being transported. The procedure to weigh such loads requires the human operator to maintain the scales which are located in confined spaces, known as scale pits. Unfortunately, these scale pits were not designed with considerable attention to ergonomics or safety issues that may impact the technician. This paper examines the ergonomic concerns associated with the design of Scale-pits. Specifically, in this research, two case studies were used to assess the risk of falling due to loss of balance, as well as the perceived level of exertion and body discomfort experienced as a result of moving around in the small pit area. The studies conducted in this paper and previous research findings indicate that scale technicians are negatively impacted by the awkward posture positions that they have to assume when moving around and performing work in the restricted space of a scale pit. Also, the case studies analyzed in this paper indicate that scale technicians are likely to experience a decrease in their balance or stability as the work task parameters change which influences an increase in their perceived level of exertion. Also, these technicians may experience a higher perceived level of exertion and an increase in body discomfort due to the awkward postures that they have to assume when moving around and working in the restricted areas within the pit.