Development and evaluation of a microprocessor-based ergonomic dosimeter for evaluating carpentry tasks

Appl Ergon. 1999 Dec;30(6):543-53. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(99)00006-x.

Abstract

This portable and self-contained lightweight microprocessor based Ergonomic Dosimeter is designed to collect continuously postural angles of the torso and the upper arm in the sagittal plane and the number of kneeling activities. Up to 4 h of task performance data can be stored in a non-volatile memory of the dosimeter, which can then be downloaded to a lap-top computer. The portable dosimeter was tested for test-retest reliability, compared with posture data obtained with a computer-based video analysis system and evaluated at a carpenter's apprentices school and at a construction site. The dosimeter was shown to be suitable for collecting posture and kneeling data for a prolonged period at construction sites.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anthropometry / instrumentation
  • Anthropometry / methods*
  • Calibration
  • Data Collection / methods
  • Data Collection / standards
  • Humans
  • Microcomputers*
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / instrumentation
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Occupations*
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted* / instrumentation
  • Time Factors
  • Time and Motion Studies*
  • Videotape Recording
  • Wood