An investigation of the effects of external supports on manual lifting /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1989.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to ProQuest copy Link to OAKTrust copy ProQuest, Abstract |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the use of external support devices for manual lifting. The use of such devices has become more popular as a form of personal protective equipment in industry, therefore, a need exists for a method to evaluate the efficacy of these devices. Two commercially available devices and a combination of the two devices were tested in a lifting experiment for three frequencies of lift (3, 6 and 9 lifts per minute). In addition to the devices, the lifting was also performed with no device as a control. Twelve male university students of average height and weight participated in the experiment. The experiment was evaluated using four independent methods: psychophysical, biomechanical, subjective survey (rating and ranking), and body part discomfort. No device was significantly different from the control for the maximum acceptable weight of lift over all the participants. There was no significant difference in the compressive force in the low back among the device treatments. No preference for any device was subjectively determined. There was no significant difference among the devices for body part discomfort. Based on the results of this study the use of the lifting devices tested is questionable for aid in lifting. More study using different evaluation techniques and other devices may be warranted. |
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| Item Description: | "Major subject: Industrial Engineering." Typescript (photocopy). Vita. |
| Physical Description: | xii, 112 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |