Cheryl A. Wilhelmsen

Occupational Ergonomics: Practical Approach, A

The approach to the book is analogous to a toolkit. The user will open the book and locate the tool that best fits the ergonomic assessment task he/she is performing. The chapters of the book progress from the concept of ergonomics, through the various assessment techniques, and into the more complex techniques. In addition to discussing the techniques, this book presents them in a form that the readers can readily adapt to their particular situation. Each chapter, where applicable, presents the technique discussed in that chapter and demonstrates how it is used. The supporting material at the end of each chapter contains exercises, case studies and review questions. The case study section of the book presents how to use techniques to analyze a range of workplace scenarios. Topics include: The Basics of Ergonomics; Anthropometry; Office Ergonomics; Administrative Controls; Biomechanics; Hand Tools; Vibration; Workstation Design; Manual Material Handling; Job Requirements and Physical Demands Survey; Ergonomic Survey Tools; Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders; How to Conduct an Ergonomics Assessment; and Case Studies

Developing Risk Models for Aviation Maintenance and Inspection

This article summarizes 2 related research projects sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aviation Safety and Security Program. As NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the airline industry have sought to understand causal factors of accidents and incidents, one emerging concern has been aircraft maintenance and subsequent inspection. Risk assessment methodologies are powerful tools for use in understanding the vulnerabilities of complex systems. This article discusses how these techniques are being used to predict the probability of inspectors detecting structural cracks in aluminum aircraft and dents in composite aircraft.

Use of Three Dimensional Imaging to Perform Aircraft Composite Inspection: Proof of Concept

The Boeing Commercial Aircraft Companys 787 is the first commercial airliner with a large number of its structural components made of composite material. The Airbus A350 will follow by 2013. Composite material has been incorporated in airliners for many years. Composites have great advantages as a material of construction for aircraft. It has a high strength to weight ratio and the resulting aircraft weighs significantly less, producing a fuel savings. Composite materials have been associated with aircraft accidents as well. For instance, in the accident involving American Airlines Flight 587 the tail fin of an Airbus A300-605R came off the aircraft after takeoff from JFK Airport. Visual inspection is the primary means of detecting composite damage. However, in remote locations in the world where commercial airliners fly there might not be trained inspectors who can adequately inspect composite structure for damage. In this paper we discuss how we used LIDAR scans of a composite test article projected in a three (3) dimensional, immersive environment to determine whether we could see surface damage. Our proof of concept experiment showed that we could see all the damage we had inflicted on the part, along with some of the existing damage on the test article. The combination of the two technologies, LIDAR and three (3) dimensional, immersive environments, have great promise in providing means to visually inspect composite materials under a variety of conditions.

Reviewing the impact of advanced control room technology

Progress to data on assessing the nature of the expected changes in human performance and risk associated with the introduction of digital control, instrumentation and display systems is presented. Expected changes include the shift toward more supervisory tasks, development of intervention strategies, and reallocation of function between human and machine. Results are reported in terms of the scope of new technology, human performance issues, the experience of the crew with digital control systems in a variety of industries including petrochemical and aerospace. Plans to conduct a limited probabilistic risk assessment/human reliability assessment (PRA/HRA) comparison between a conventional NUREG-1150 series plant and that same plant retrofit with distributed control and advanced instrumentation and display are presented. Changes needed to supplement existing HRA modeling methods and quantification techniques are discussed.<<ETX>>

What Difference Can the Data Make

The anthropometric data which is readily available to the ergonomic practitioner contains gaps in the statures of individuals covered. This study fills in those gaps by analyzing the data sources available to interpolate the dimensions for those statures not represented. The interpolation method used was linear regression relating a specific dimension to the standing stature of the individual. Additionally, this paper compares several sources of data to demonstrate significant differences. Both these pieces of information are important to the practitioner. By filling in the gaps, the practitioner is provided with initial quantitative reference points for individuals when properly arranging a workstation. Currently, only qualitative information is provided concerning optimum workstation design for individuals not represented in the data sources. By demonstrating the lack of a significant difference between data sources, the practitioner may use whichever source is readily available. The results show a significant relationship between the individuals stature and eight different workstation measurements. Finally, there is no significant difference between the data sources examined.

Remote aircraft composite inspection using 3D imaging

The problem stated is there is no reliable in-service inspection method that quickly and easily detects the composite material damage. The aerospace industry needs to make efficient use of the inspections to turn the aircraft around in an efficient timeframe. This paper discusses the methodology for semi-automatic visualization of the process of inspecting composite materials for damage. The research is focused on the application of inspection of composite damage in aircrafts using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). Two configurations using the LIDAR is discussed in determining damage to an aircraft. The configurations are derived from several studies using smaller aircraft parts and a small autonomous RMax helicopter. This study helps provide a solution for a quick turnaround and an efficient scan of the possible composite damage in aircraft. The four primary objectives are: Objective 1: Determine whether semi-automated three-dimensional visualization composite inspection techniques are as effective as experienced human inspectors in locating potential composite damage. Objective 2: Determine whether data from several Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) cameras can be combined for use in conducting semi-automated three-dimensional visualization composite inspections. Objective 3: Determine whether LIDAR camera scans can be performed on a moving aircraft for use with semi-automated three-dimensional visualization composite inspections. Objective 4: Assess the important human factors contributors associated with interpreting the LIDAR camera scan data.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis

A Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a procedure for analysis of potential failure modes within a system for the classification by severity or determination of the failures effect upon the system. It is widely used in the manufacturing industries in various phases of the product life cycle. Failure causes are any errors or defects in process, design, or item especially ones that affect the customer, and can be potential or actual. Effects analysis refers to studying the consequences of those failures.

Developing Risk Models for Aviation Inspection and Maintenance Tasks

Risk assessment has been used to analyze a wide range of industries to determine vulnerabilities with the ultimate purpose of eliminating the sources of risk or reducing them to a reasonable level. The purpose of this chapter is to show how risk assessment tools can be used to develop risk models of aviation maintenance tasks. Two tools will be discussed in this chapter, though many other methods exist. The tools discussed in this chapter are:  Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)  Event and Fault Tree Analysis Ostrom and Wilhelmsen (2011) discuss a wide range of risk assessment tools and this book provides many examples of how these tools are used to analyze various industries.