Sistemática para apoiar a identificação e a quantificação dos custos associados às ações ergonômicas

A ergonomia tem demonstrado a sua importância em vários trabalhos que visam proteger a saúde e a segurança, beneficiando trabalhadores e empresas. Utilizando uma abordagem participativa e um enfoque macroergonômico, a ação ergonômica possibilita identificar os problemas e fatores de risco apresentados em ambientes e/ou postos de trabalho. Além disso, permite a sugestão de alternativas que possam melhorar as condições de trabalho e da própria organização. Todavia, a identificação dos custos gerados por estes problemas ou fatores de risco é de difícil identificação, quantificação e apreciação. Para conseguir mensurar estes custos, faz-se necessário o uso de uma metodologia de custeio adequada. A metodologia de custeio ABC (Custeio Baseado em Atividades), através do uso de direcionadores de custo, possibilita alocar o consumo de recursos aos processos e tarefas desenvolvidos. lnteragindo a ergonomia com a metodologia de custeio ABC toma-se possível identificar os problemas ergonômicos e relacioná-Ios aos custos gerados. Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa do ramo farmoquímico, objetivando assim, contribuir na proposição de uma abordagem para medição de custos ergonômicos. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido em um setor específico da empresa, servindo como piloto para medição do custo total e unitário da tarefa, bem como daqueles oriundos de problemas ergonômicos. Dentre os resultados encontrados por este trabalho, pode-se destacar a mensuração do custo da tarefa de manipular NPT (Nutrição Parenteral Total), além do custo gerado por problemas e recursos ergonômicos.

O zoneamento industrial enquanto instrumento de controle de um problema ambiental urbano: a poluição industrial

O trabalho procura refutar a utilização do zoneamento industrial Enquanto um instrumento de controle da poluição industrial, considerada neste estudo como um problema ambiental urbano, para tanto , sistematiza um conjunto de conceitos que visam explicar e definir isoladamente o que seja problema ambiental urbano, poluição e zoneamento industrial, buscando relacioná-Ios de modo a evidenciar (ou não) a fragilidade da relação entre controle da poluição e zoneamento. A provocação para a realização deste trabalho surgiu da observação da realidade concreta da Região. Metropolitana de São Paulo , que instituiu em 1978 o zoneamento das atividades produtivas o qual tinha também como objetivo o controle da poluição industrial

Efeitos da deficiência de vitamina A na função pulmonar de crianças após infecção respiratória viral

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Backpacks and school children's obesity: challenges for public health and ergonomics

This descriptive study of cross sectional has focused on analyzing the school material weight transported by students associated with children and adolescents overweight in primary and secondary schools. Participants 339 students of both genders, aged 10-19 years. 243 students carrying and average load of 12.65% of his body weight. 53 students were overweight with a BMI of 20,00 to 35,6. 20 overweight students carrying backpacks more than 10% of his body weight. 21% of the students rated complained of back and shoulder pain. This data is very important in the preventive aspects for the individuals studied, as well as others with the same anthropometric characteristics and the same demand.

Openability of soft drinks PET packagings

Studies on packaging accessibility are still incipient in Brazil. Many of these packagings can represent a challenge to users, whether due to non-informative labels, tricky tabs or seals, or even those that need strength to open. This paper brings a simple test to determine the necessary torque force to open PET bottles, and to predict the amount of users that could not open it. The findings suggest that a considerable amount of users could not open it or would have some difficulties to exert the necessary force.

Are cutout handles used when available in real occupational settings? Description of grips and upper extremities movements during industrial box handling

In order to achieve better postures and decrease musculoskeletal risks adequate design of hand/box couplings for manual materials handling (MMH) are still needed. No studies evaluating upper limb movement thorough direct measurements during box handling in workplace were identified in the literature. In this study we describe the types of grip and movements adopted by ten workers when handling redesigned boxes with cutout handles between different heights on industrial pallets. The new handles were used by 90% of the workers through different types of grip. Electrogoniometric measurements showed relatively safe forearm and wrist movements, although elbow inadequate range of movement was recorded. Despite the good acceptance of the cutout by workers, the new design requires extra internal space in the boxes reducing applications for this alternative of box.

Influence of door handles design in effort perception: accessibility and usability

The application of ergonomics in product design is essential to its accessibility and usability. The development of manual devices should be based on ergonomic principles. Effort perception analysis is an essential approach to understand the physical and subjective aspects of the interface. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effort perception during a simulated task with different door handles by Portuguese subjects of both genders and different ages. This transversal study agreed with ethical aspects. 180 subjects of both genders pertaining to three age groups have participated. Five door handles with different shapes were evaluated. A subjective numeric rating scale of 5 levels was used to evaluate the effort. For statistical analysis it was applied the Friedman non-parametric test. The results have showed no significant differences of effort perception in door handles "A" and "B"; "A" and "D"; and "D" and "C". Door handle "E" presented the lowest values of all. In general, there's an inverse relationship between the results of biomechanical studies and the effort perception of the same task activity. This shows that door handles design influence directly these two variables and can interfere in the accessibility and usability of these kinds of products.

Anthropometric aspects of body seated in school

This study aimed to assess the student-furniture interface from anthropometric parameters of the sitting posture. The sample was composed of 887 students from two public schools in the State of Parana - Brazil, which attended children from 7 to 17 years of age. The data collection used anthropometric measures of the sitting position, a questionnaire containing a human body diagram for indication of discomfort areas and photographic records to verify postural and ergonomic inadequacies in classroom. The following anthropometric variables were measured: popliteal height, sacro-popliteal length, hip width, lumbar support height, and elbow and thigh height. Percentiles 5 and 95 of anthropometric variables showed differences statistically significant, with variation coefficient greater than 30%. In relation to body discomfort, the highest occurrences were recorded for ankle, knees and shoulder joints as well as for spine and buttocks. It was concluded that children use school furniture that does not meet their anthropometric standards, which favored the adoption of incorrect postures and contributed to the emergence of musculoskeletal problems that can interfere with their educational process.

Perceptual aspects of the use of faucets (taps)

This paper presents an assessment with simulated activities with the aim of analyzing the perception of ease/difficulty of the use of faucets (taps) handles by 180 Brazilian adults. Five different handles faucets were activated for subsequent collection of perceptual data. The procedures were based on main recommendations for biomedical ethics and human research. The results indicate that handles with levers are significantly (p <= 0.05) easier to use. The most difficult are characterized by not having support points for the rotation (levers) or more points of pressure concentration in the hand.

Usability of car stereo

Automotive sound systems vary widely in terms of functions and way of use between different brands and models what can bring difficulties and lack of consistency to the user. This study aimed to analyze the usability of car stereo commonly found in the market. Four products were analyzed by task analysis and after use reports and the results indicate serious usability issues with respect to the form of operation, organization, clarity and quality of information, visibility and readability, among others.

Product functions: interfaces with ergonomic design

In addition to technical quality, increasing emphasis is being placed on the importance of elements such as the appearance and meaning of products. To be successful, therefore, attention must be paid to the aesthetic and symbolic functions of objects as well as to reliability and physical quality. Study of the interfaces of these functions may provide a theoretical basis for the ergonomic design of products. The objective of this review is to attempt to establish the nature of these interfaces.

Study of postures in sugarcane cutters in the Pontal of Paranapanema-SP, Brazil

The expansion of sugarcane monoculture in Brazil in the last decades has pointed out to the necessity of considering the question of sugarcane cutters occupational health. In this work we present a cross-sectional study aiming to examine the occupational posture of a group of sugarcane cutters, which work in a cane field located in the region of Pontal do Paranapanema-SP, Brazil. The study was made using the Ergonomic Analysis of Work - EAW methodology and the postural analysis method by Win-OWAS. Through the obtained records of postures, it was observed that during a workday the sugarcane cutters remain standing erect on two legs or in one leg 66% of the time and that their trunk remain tilted and in rotation, according to 63% of the positions categorized. It was also observed that the sugarcane cutter trunk performs repetitive and boundless movements during his routine of work, which can expose this individual to additional wear of their musculoskeletal functions. The activities in which the individual engages have favorable or adverse influence on his posture. The repetitive movements involved in specialized occupations are equivalent to repeated exercises, thus may be responsible for the excessive development of certain muscle groups. The study suggests that the postures adopted by sugarcane cutters can overload their musculoskeletal system and predispose the cutters to work-related musculoskeletal diseases.

Prognostic significance of beta-2 adrenergic receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ergonomics work analysis applied to dentistry - a Brazilian case study

This paper presents the Ergonomic Work Analysis method in a Brazilian Dentist's office. Through the study, the constraints and the strategies in avoiding them were identified. It was found that dentists hardly use the position most indicated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Federation Dentaire Internacionale (FDI) for both the patient and the dentist, which is respectively supine and 9 o'clock, due to the limited space and layout. Five types of treatments performed by the professional have been studied. The frequency and duration of actions in these treatments were accounted for and the standard positions adopted were identified. The AET was found to be a very suitable method to grasp the dentist's activity and build a point of view of the profession, which is characterized as: stressful, perfectionist and restrictive. Time management is presented as an important strategy to control the tension arising from performing the treatments.