Anthropometric Assessment of Heavy-Duty Driver Postures Using RULA Method
Tóm tắt
Traffic accidents are largely caused by driver ergonomic issues and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) associated with driving. One of the most crucial factors that must be taken into account while designing the driving environment is the driver's posture. Numerous research on the driver ergonomics of different classes of vehicles has been conducted all around the world. However, there are not many studies in India that specifically address the comfort of the bus driver. 141 male public transportation bus drivers from various locations in Kerala, India were studied using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), a method for assessing exposure to risk factors associated with work-related upper limb disorders. The findings revealed a substantial correlation between the posture scores for the upper arm, wrist, neck, trunk, and legs and the self-reported discomforts in the corresponding regions in all drivers. Substantial scores for neck and trunk posture were found, showing significant neck and trunk loading. The approach showed to be an effective tool for the quick assessment of the loading of the bus drivers' working posture. The study demonstrates that drivers' anthropometric characteristics do not have much effect on the RULA posture scores. An immediate modification to postures is advised for the drivers who took part in the study. The study establishes the significance of designing an ergonomic bus driver cabin and future scopes are proposed.
Tài liệu tham khảo
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