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      Biomechanical differences between expert and novice workers in a manual material handling task.

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          Abstract

          The objective was to verify whether the methods were safer and more efficient when used by expert handlers than by novice handlers. Altogether, 15 expert and 15 novice handlers were recruited. Their task was to transfer four boxes from a conveyor to a hand trolley. Different characteristics of the load and lifting heights were modified to achieve a larger variety of methods by the participants. The results show that the net moments at the L5/S1 joint were not significantly different (p > 0.05) for the two groups. However, compared with the novices, the experts bent their lumbar region less (experts 54° (SD 11°); novices 66° (SD 15°)) but bent their knees more (experts approx. 72° (SD approx. 30°); novices approx. 53° (SD approx. 33°), which brought them closer to the box. The handler's posture therefore seems to be a major aspect that should be paid specific attention, mainly when there is maximum back loading. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: The findings of this research will be useful for improving manual material handling training programmes. Most biomechanical research is based on novice workers and adding information about the approach used by expert handlers in performing their tasks will help provide new avenues for reducing the risk of injury caused by this demanding physical task.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Ergonomics
          Ergonomics
          Informa UK Limited
          1366-5847
          0014-0139
          Oct 2010
          : 53
          : 10
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Institut de recherche Robert-Sauve en sante et en securite du travail, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Plamondon.andre@irsst.qc.ca
          Article
          927234139
          10.1080/00140139.2010.513746
          20865607
          68724be0-b322-42ec-bf38-731797a0c377
          History

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