Ari Putkonen

Participatory video-assisted evaluation of truck drivers' work outside cab: deliveries in two types of transport.

The aim of this study was to identify risks and ergonomics discomfort during work of local and short haul delivery truck drivers outside a cab. The study used a video- and computer-based method (VIDAR). VIDAR is a participatory method identifying demanding work situations and their potential risks. The drivers’ work was videoed and analysed by subjects and ergonomists. Delivery truck drivers should not be perceived as one group with equal risks because there were significant differences between the 2 types of transportation and specific types of risks. VIDAR produces visual material for risk management processes. VIDAR as a participatory approach stimulates active discussion about work-related risks and discomfort, and about possibilities for improvement. VIDAR may be also applied to work which comprises different working environments.

Complexity and workload factors in virtual work environments of mobile work

This article concentrates on describing the complexity and work load factors of mobile work done in virtual environments. A qualitative multi case study was carried out. Six mobile employee groups were examined. The data was collected by interviews and questionnaires. A model of complexity factors was used in analyzing the data. The complexity factors interrelated with different types of workload components, i.e. physical, mental and social and, furthermore, they induced distinct workload factors. To reduce the manifestation of the workload factors and to enhance well-being, fundamental requirements for the virtual environment can be presented. At the levels of connection, device and application the issue lies in the transfer capability of communication. Compared to this at the levels of cognitive and cultural factors of the virtual space the question is in the ability of semantic transfer of the message.

Ergonomics development needs in truck body design - from video analyses to solution proposals

Truck drivers need improvements on their work environment in ergonomics and safety issues. In this study, participative video analyses were performed to identify areas of discomfort and the risks drivers face when working outside the cab. Analyses resulted in identification of 262 discomfort and risk factors of which roughly half occurred in trucks and trailers. Due to the findings, a web questionnaire was used to investigate what kind of participative product design aspects truck body and trailer manufacturing companies apply currently. Accordingly, the need for participation is recognised but these companies lack such systematic procedures and methods. This study also introduces a procedure to utilise the identified risks and discomforts for developing the design and development requirements. The procedure has led to new solutions that are currently utilised in different interest groups’ processes. The procedure supports participation by all stakeholders and may be used in product design processes in environments where a mutual understanding is crucial for eliminating the recognised safety problems in practice.

Ergonomists and usability engineers encounter test method dilemmas with virtual work environments

Todays ergonomists and usability engineers need a broad understanding of the characteristics and demands of complex sociotechnical systems in order to develop virtual work systems and mobile communication tools for workers. Familiarity with appropriate ergonomics tests and evaluation methods is a prerequisite of this understanding. The literature review about ergonomics methods was performed. Applicable, potential and inapplicable ergonomics test methods for virtual work systems have been identified, based on the validity analysis and case example. The large number of available methods is confusing for ergonomists and therefore a hierarchical top-down approach is needed for method selection. The issues highlighted in this paper may be useful for ergonomists and usability practitioners who are participating design processes in complex virtual work environments.

An heuristic genetic algorithm for strategic university tuition planning and workload balancing

Abstract The typical tuition planning challenge that universities face is to optimize students’ and teachers’ timetables on a weekly basis. While crucial for operational arrangement of tuition, such short-term planning is often done in relative isolation from longer-term strategic considerations, such as organizational competence development. This article presents an heuristic method, based on genetic algorithms, for long-term strategic planning of tuition for multi-year university degree programmes, at the semester level. The proposed method attempts to produce such a tuition schedule that satisfies given pre-requisite knowledge constraints, while honouring teacher-specific preferences, such that the workload across the teachers is as uniform as possible. The proposed method accommodates many real-world constraints, and can be applied to several distinct student groups advancing in parallel. As an application, the proposed method is used for optimizing the tuition schedule of a mechanical engineering degree programme at a Finnish university.

Truck Drivers’ Work Systems in Environments Other Than the Cab—A Macro Ergonomics Development Approach

Local and short haul (L/SH) drivers work in various other work environments in addition to that of the truck cab, and the safety of these environments vary widely. In this study, we combined methods from three time perspectives; accident statistics analyses (past); video observations (present) and scenario workshops (future) in order to provide new knowledge that can be applied to design and management process development in the transportation industry. Even though new technologies have and will emerge to ease drivers’ work, the work that is performed in environments other than truck cabs still involves tasks that require physical activities and pose risks of occupational diseases and accidents. Thus, drivers’ safety at work and work ability issues remain an area that needs continuous, systemic development. The results inevitably show that in order to successfully improve L/SH drivers’ work, the relevant stakeholders’ participation and a systemic approach is crucial.