A study on muscle fatigue associated with awkward posture among workers in aerospace industry

Seri Rahayu , Kamat and Norhidayah, Hashim (2013) A study on muscle fatigue associated with awkward posture among workers in aerospace industry. Advanced Engineering Forum, 10 (1). pp. 287-292. ISSN 103.26.74.254-27/05/14,09:25:29

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Abstract

In aerospace industry, many tasks required manufacturing workers to perform their works in awkward posture. Awkward posture is a practical working posture when joints are not in neutral position such as lifting heavy products, reaching materials, bending forward their back when doing jobs, and pushing or pulling excessive loads because those tasks require a stable position and large degree of freedom. If the workers perform the jobs continuously in awkward posture throughout the working hours, they may be experience muscle fatigue. The objective of this study is to measure the myoelectric level (μV) exerted by the right and left thoracolumbar fascia muscles while workers perform the lay-up process in aerospace industry. The myoelectric level in the muscles was measured using surface Electromyography (sEMG) measurement. Six production workers from aerospace industry participated as subjects. The muscle fatigue of the subjects was measured during beginning until finish of lay-up process. This measuring activity has been doing from Wednesday to Friday. Highest results of myoelectric level for right thoracolumbar fascia is when the workers make the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven. Different with the results of myoelectric level for left thoracolumbar fascia which is; three of the workers got highest result when they are making the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven, but the other three of the workers got highest result when they are making the lay-up process for ply twelve. Nevertheless, after averaging both of the results, a mean result for each worker shows the highest myoelectric level is when the workers make the lay-up process for ply seven until ply eleven. According to the mean, a percentage of worse tasks are projected. Based on this study, the authors concluded that muscle fatigue of the lay-up workers in aerospace industry was influenced by the work load, work activity and duration of awkward posture.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: awkward posture, muscle fatigue, myoelectric level and lay-up process
Subjects: T Technology > TS Manufactures
T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Divisions: Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering > Department of Manufacturing Management
Depositing User: DR. SERI RAHAYU KAMAT
Date Deposited: 22 Jan 2015 02:49
Last Modified: 28 May 2015 04:35
URI: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/13987
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

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