Optimization of the lifting height causing musculoskeletal disorders

International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –

6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME

248

OPTIMIZATION OF THE LIFTING HEIGHT CAUSING

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS USING SOFT COMPUTING

TECHNIQUES

Gargi Jaiswal1, Ashish Kumar

1 Haresh Kumar

2

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSET, SHIATS-DU, Allahabad India

2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motillal Nehru National Institute of Technology,

Allahabad India

ABSTRACT

The aim of present communication is to develop an ergonomic posture-prediction

model for industry workers, engaged in lifting tasks, and to prevent the occurrence of work-

related musculoskeletal disorders, primarily those in the back, upper and lower extremities. A

simulated environment was prepared with the equivalence of Benara Udyog Agra. Five age

groups were selected and height of 0, 3 and 6 feet were chosen to perform the experiments.

The observations were plotted and analyzed with the help of fuzzy tool of Mat Lab.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Soft computing.

1. INTRODUCTION

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) has been a major problem in various industries.

MSD’s has been drawing the attention of many researchers since many years [1], [2], [3], [4],

[5], [6], [7], and [8]. Initially ,the main aim is to reduce MSD’s through some preventive

methods .But nowadays ,the researchers are giving emphasis on soft computing technique

.MSD is not only limited to a specific area but it has its effect in bank offices ,workplaces

,agriculture, during pregnancy etc.

Akrouf et al [1] reported the cross sectional observational study which assessed the

pattern of msd suffered by bank office workers in Kuwait. The most affected body parts were

the neck (53.5%, lower back (51.1%), shoulders (49.2%) and upper back (38.4%).

Haroutiunian et al [9] have found the topical NSAID therapy for musculoskeletal pain. They

concluded that the some topical NSAID formulation have been shown to be more effective

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than placebo in multiple studies, on to have comparable efficacy and a better safety profile

than oral NSAIDS for single joint osteoarthritis and acute muscle injuries . In an acute and

chronic low back pain, widespread musculoskeletal pain and in peripheral neuropathic pain

syndromes, the current evidence does not support the use of topical NSAIDS. The findings of

their study highlight the magnitude of health care utilization for msd’s and the central role of

primary care physicians in the management of these conditions.

Kramer et al [10] identified that it could potentionally reduces the risk of MSDs in the

construction sector. The action research approach was based on a collaborative model of

researchers working with workplace representatives. They searched for innovations being

used by construction companies. From a potential database of 12 s innovations, the study

focused on 2thita innovations that varied in their penetration into worksites in the

geographical area, represented a variety of trades, and were a cross section of tools and work

organizational processes. It examined the attributes of innovations and the barriers to their

adoption. The analysis was based on observations of workers, surveys of workers and

construction safety consultants, and company interiors. The study found that innovations

were adopted by companies for multiple advantages including productivity & quality but not

necessarily ability to reduce MSD risks, their non- complexity & cost.

Zapata et al [11] had undergone through a study of visual and musculoskeletal health

disorders among computer users. Overall , conclusions was that A significant proportion

of the computer users were found to be having health problems and this denotes that the

occupational health of the people working in the computer fields need to be emphasized as

a field of concern in occupational health.

Authors have made an attempt to develop an ergonomic posture-prediction model for

industry workers, specially the casting industry where workers are engaged in lifting tasks

more frequently, and to prevent the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders,

primarily those in the back, upper and lower extremities. A simulated environment was

prepared with the equivalence of Benara Udyog Agra. Five age groups were selected and

height of 0, 3 and 6 feet were chosen to perform the experiments. The observations were

plotted and analyzed with the help of fuzzy tool of Mat Lab.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Workstation

The workstation was developed with the exact dimensions to that of a Lathe machine

in Benara Udyog Agra. Overall schematic picture of workstation is shown in fig: 1a. The

purpose of this workstation was to analyze MSD’s in workers by performing experiments on

the subjects.

This workstation was supported on rigid base so that during loading and unloading of

weight it should not displace from its position. Subjects of different Anthropometry were

chosen. These subjects were exposed to repetitive work. Subjects underwent a standardized

physical examination at that time and again after performing experiment under the same

conditions.

For the purpose of experiments a Crank Shaft of around 20kg of weight was chosen

which was lifted by the workers during the course of experiments. The schematic view of

crank shaft is as shown in fig: 2b

International Journal of Advanced Resea

6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March

Fig: 1a) Workstation

2.2. Parameters

Following parameters were taken as basis of experiment:

a. Age,

b. Height from which load is lifted

c. Frequency of lifts, and

d. Rest breaks between lifts.

Fig: 2 Different age groups and heights under observation

International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976

6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME

250

a) Workstation Fig: 1b) Crankshaft under study

Following parameters were taken as basis of experiment:-

Height from which load is lifted,

.

Different age groups and heights under observation

rch in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –

April (2013), © IAEME



251

Fig: 2 show different age group and different height of the subject to be lifted. Subjected

were asked to lift the shaft from the ground level, height of 3 feet and more than 3 feet. It

included overhead lifting and placing on the workstation also. The activity was repeatedly

done and accordingly results were obtained. Following questionnaire was filled up by the

workers.

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EXPERIMENT

Subject ……………………………………………………………………

Type of weight lifted ........................................................................

Age category I / II / III / IV

I - 25-35yrs L / M / H

II - 36-45yrs L / M / H

III - 46-55yrs L / M / H

IV - 56-65 yrs L / M / H

V - 66+ yrs L / M / H

Weight lifted (kg) …………………………………………………………………….

(CONSTANT)

Height of subject ……………………………………………………………………

(CONSTANT)

Frequency of lifts Low Medium High

(2 lift per minute) (3 – 7 LPM) (8+ LPM)

Lifting height (From ground)………………………………………………………………..

Stress level (low/medium/high)

I - up to 3 feet …………………………………….

II - 3 – 5 feet …………………………………….

III - more than 5 feet (overhead) ……………………………………...

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Different results for different age group were obtained from the experiments that were

performed on the subjects. The subjects chosen were of different age group with varying

anthropometry.

The subjects were categorized in 5 major age groups. These age groups are as follows –

a. 1st Age group (25 – 35 years of age)

b. 2nd

Age group(36 – 45 years of age)

c. 3rd


d. 4th


e. 5th

Age group(66+ years of age)



252

Soft Computing tool was developed using Fuzzy Logic and accordingly following

results were obtained taking into consideration aforementioned four basic parameters. The

rule view for different age groups are depicted as obtained from mat lab software and their

corresponding surface view has also been drawn from fig 3a to fig 5 the rule view is shown

which is giving the optimized value of msd as red continuous line. With the help of these rule

views, surface views has been generated amidst of frequency of lifts, lifting height and MSD

as calculated via Matlab.

Fig: 3a Rule view for age group I Fig: 3b Rule view for age group II



253

Fig: 4a Rule view of age group III Fig: 4b Rule view of age group IV



254

Fig 5: Rule view of age group V



255

Fig: 6a Surface view for age group I

Fig: 6b Surface view for age group II



256

Fig: 7a Surface view for age group III

Fig: 7b Surface View for age group IV



257

Fig: 8 Surface view for age group

4. CONCLUSION

The results were concluded according to the data obtained from experiments.

Optimum lifting height was calculated for different age groups. The transition from no or

minor pain to severe was influenced by physical and psychosocial work place factors together

with individual and health-related factors.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a significant impact on worker’s time

spent in unpaid care giving roles are limited by work-related disorders in a parallel fashion

MSD’s are normalized between 0 -1 for different age group along with optimum

lifting height.

Age Group Height of Worker

Cm

Optimum Lifting

Height

MSD Optimized

I 158 10”-50” 0.62

II 174 12”-46” 0.59

III 166 15”-40” 0.64

IV Simulated 19”-38” 0.68

V Simulated 24”-35” 0.72



258

5. REFERENCES

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manifestations of lysosomal storage disorders.Ann Rheum Dis2009 Nov;68(11):1659-65.

[3] Ayanniyi O, Ukpai BO, and Adeniyi AF Differences in prevalence of self-reported

musculoskeletal symptoms among computer and non-computer users in a Nigerian

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[4] Borg-Stein J, Dugan SA.Musculoskeletal disorders of pregnancy delivery and postpartum.

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[6] Cecchini M, Colantoni A, Massantini R, Monarca D. The risk of musculoskeletal

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[9] Haroutiunian S, Drennan DA, Lipman AG" Topical NSAID therapy for

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Optimization of the lifting height causing musculoskeletal disorders

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