title: Ergonomics considerations in the design and use of single disc floor cleaning machines.
abstract: This study investigated ergonomics issues connected with the use of single-disc floor cleaning machines (buffers/polishers). Methods included interview/questionnaire surveys of users and other groups (maintenance personnel, purchasing managers, manufacturer representatives), along with video analysis. A notable proportion of users (56%) reported discomfort from machine use, mostly musculoskeletal in origin. Main locations were hand (39%), shoulder (19%), wrist (7%), lower back (7%) and arm (6%). Deficiencies were identified with the design and configuration of the handle/operating-switch. Problems were also found arising from the trailing power cable, along with manual handling implications due to machine size and weight. It is concluded there is scope to improve on current designs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. R.A.Haslam@iborot.ac.uk
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Haslam
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008283:Maintenance; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014741:Video Recording; D000078329:Workforce; D014953:Wrist