ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION ON MUSCULOSKELETAL DISCOMFORT AMONG CRANE OPERATORS AT WASTE-TO-ENERGY-PLANTS

摘要

The paper presents an investigation of crane operator workplaces in the German waste management in regard to musculoskeletal discomfort. As crane operators complain about pains in the neck and shoulders, their working postures have been checked using a person-centred measuring system called CUELA. As a result of these measurements the factors for the complaints were identified and possible improvements for the redesigning of the workplace have been recommended. After several design modifications of the workplaces - especially the crane operators' seats — further measurements have been carried out to evaluate the impact of the reconstruction. The results of both measurements have been assessed separately and finally compared with each other. The main findings of this investigation are outlined in this paper.