Brake force testing in ergonomically adjusted crane cabins

Abstract

Crane operators’ job is extremely demanding. They work long hours in constrained workspaces in awkward posture. Their neck extension, trunk flexion and repetitive arm movement are associated with an increased risk of developing neck and shoulder pain that leads to reduced working capacity, quality and safety. The comfortable operator posture could not be achieved without considering the anthropometric criteria to analyze aspects of seat comfort, visual displays locations, pedal controls, reaches etc. When proposing novel, anthropometrically assessed and adjusted seat solutions, it is important to analyze pedal brake force exerted. In this paper 68 crane operators participated in survey, with task to test novel seat solution and corresponding exerted pedal brake force. Mark 10 EK3 200 ergonomic test kit was used to measure pedal brake force. Examined variables included: height and weight (body mass index), pedal brake force average value, deviation of each three measurements from average value and absolute measurement error. After descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlations are calculated. Besides proving novel solution, there also has been found statistically significant correlation between body mass index and mean value of force, as well as between BMI and absolute measurement error. It is recommended, in future research to enlarge sample and repeat statistical testing.