Nilton Luiz Menegon

Análise ergonômica do trabalho e o reconhecimento científico do conhecimento gerado

This paper contextualizes in Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA) the concerns of researchers in the field of ergonomics regarding the scientific recognition of research methods in their work. Based on these concerns and a review of the characteristic activity of research, a theoretical analysis is undertaken of the symbiosis between this method of research and EWA, and of how this contribution to knowledge generated in EWA may have facilitated its scientific recognition among peers of the areas of knowledge that ergonomics permeates.

Condução de ações em saúde e segurança do trabalho em pequenas e médias empresas: análise de três casos

Construir acoes relacionadas a saude e seguranca nas Pequenas e Medias Empresas (PME) nao e tarefa facil, uma vez que essas empresas precisam lidar com o provimento deficitario de informacoes, poucos recursos disponiveis e metodologias de acao desenvolvidas de acordo com as caracteristicas das empresas de grande porte. Partindo de estudos de caso e de metodologia qualitativa, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar, em tres PME do setor industrial, a maneira como acoes de saude e seguranca sao conduzidas - inclusive acoes ergonomicas -, bem como as justificativas para sua forma de conducao, utilizando, para tanto, entrevistas e questionarios. A investigacao comprovou que aspectos, tais como poucos recursos financeiros, pouco acesso a informacao, cultura e o modelo gerencial assumido, exercem grande influencia sobre a forma como as acoes em Saude e Seguranca do Trabalho (SST) serao conduzidas, sendo que a Ergonomia, quando houver, sera caracterizada pela conducao perceptiva e informal das mudancas no local de trabalho. Concluiu-se que algumas normas e leis, assim como ferramentas ergonomicas, deveriam ser desenvolvidas e adaptadas as PME. Moldar as acoes segundo as necessidades e limitacoes de cada empresa poderia facilitar sua utilizacao e assim promover uma melhora das condicoes de saude e seguranca nas PME.

Complementarities of digital human models and ergonomic work analysis in workstation design: the manual packaging task

This study demonstrates how digital human models and ergonomic work analysis (EWA) can be integrated in the process of designing a new workstation. To this end, this paper examines the application of human simulation technology during an ergonomic intervention, which included the design of a new workstation concept with new technical artefacts. Simulation was used to test some of the design variables and to aid communication among the actors. The environments were designed in AutoCAD 2010 (Autodesk) and then imported to Delmia V5R18 (Dassault Systemes) to simulate the static tests (variables such as posture) and the dynamic tests (animations). The main findings indicate that digital human simulation is an important tool to aid workstation design and to anticipate situations in future work activities. This case study revealed that the integrated use of EWA and simulation enabled workers to participate and interact as people directly responsible for planning work activities.

SIMULAÇÃO HUMANA DIGITAL NA CONCEPÇÃO DE POSTOS DE TRABALHO: ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DE CASOS

This paper investigates a computational tool for Human Modeling and Simulation contextualized by Ergonomic Analysis of Work (EAW) and future work activity forecasting that can assist in the design processes of workplaces. Two case studies using Human Simulation was employed and the software Jack were analyzed. The first study presents the design of a counter in a public post office. The second shows the development of a workstation for the supply of surgical needles in a company that manufactures hygiene and healthcare products. The results of the case studies show the contributions and challenges of using this design technology aiming to solve problems related to health and productivity. The use of simulation combined with EAW helped to improve future work activity forecasting of new work situations and helped the integration and communication of the actors involved in these social processes.

Passengers with Disabilities, Elderly and Obese in Brazilian Air Transportation: Contradictions in the Activity Systems

The objective of this study was to understand the contradictions in the activity systems of passengers with disabilities, the elderly and obese in the Brazilian air transportation, which originate participation restrictions when boarding, during the flight and in the deplaning process of air travel. A qualitative approach was adopted based on Ergonomics and the Activity Theory. The research participants were passengers with physical, visual, and auditory disabilities and elderly and obese passengers. The data collection included 14 preliminary interviews in rehabilitation organizations and assistance services for the participant groups, with a total of 25 participants; a questionnaire-based survey involving 399 respondents; and observations in commercial aviation. A total of 43 non-participant observations were carried out, and eight other participant observations took place during the air travel, which included two self-confrontation interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The results indicated passenger participation restrictions during the flight that are related to airport infrastructure, airport signs, operational factors, equipment, aircrafts, and regulatory aspects. These restrictions are related to contradictions in the interaction of the components of the activity system, which include: the passenger, the artifacts, the rules, the community (passengers and workers), airport operators, the airlines and the object of the activity. To promote full participation during the air travel, some changes are needed; primarily the transformation of significance and representations in terms of action of those involved in air transportation and their work activity, seeking to achieve integration between design and use.

Air Travel Accessibility: Interaction Between Different Social Actors

Despite the efforts of regulatory agencies to set out requirements to ensure accessibility conditions in air travels, studies show that there are assistance inadequacies, because the services offered to passengers who require special assistance result from interactions between aircraft manufacturers, regulatory agencies, operators, and air travelers. They have different interests which remain little explored. The objective of this study was to discuss the social actors’ interactions that determine the services offered to these passengers. An exploratory research including 7 regulatory agencies, 377 passengers, and 20 traveling companions was carried out using semi structured interviews and questionnaires to collect their specific interests. A checklist based on current Brazilian laws was used to investigate the current air transport accessibility conditions in three airlines. The results showed that accessibility problems are mainly related to the inefficiency of services provided by operators, ineffectiveness of aircrafts in terms of passenger needs, or inefficiency of regulations.

Assistive technology and passengers with special assistance needs in air transport: contributions to cabin design

There has been significant growth in air transport worldwide, as well as in Brazil. However, studies have emphasized that disabled, obese, and elderly passengers face difficulties when using this means of transport. Among these difficulties, issues related to passengers’ own assistive devices, including damage, loss, or the impossibility of using during the entire flight, stand out. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the trends in assistive technology focusing on cabin design. This research is based upon literature review, interviews with manufacturers and research centers, visits to specialized trade fairs, and patent search. The results revealed a great diversity of assistive products, its trends, and an increase in their use, which affect aircraft cabin design, especially in terms of space, access, and stowage of these devices.

The contribution of action research in the construction of scientific knowledge in Brazilian Production Engineering

The main subject of this article is the action research and it has as general objective to describe the construction of knowledge in this field from the uses that Brazilian Production Engineering makes of it, aiming to recognize its contributions, potentials and limits. To achieve this goal, a literature review was carried out for a subsequent contrast with the national academic researches that use action research and show its uses. Identified these similarities, a documentary research was carried out in academic papers published in the National Meeting of Production Engineering (ENEGEP) – from 1996 to 2010. The content analysis was the strategy used for data analysis and NVivo  software was used for its treatment. As a conclusion of the research, it can be stated that the use of action research in the Brazilian Production Engineering distances itself from epistemic precepts associated with it. The results of the action are more highlighted than the reflection on the mechanisms that produced it.

A pertinência dos documentos prescritos nas atividades dos profissionais de manutenção industrial: o caso de uma indústria automobilística

A great many maintenance works are described in precise written instructions. These instructions are related to a particular type of equipment/machine. In maintenance instructions, the repairs of equipment are described in a pattern of stability and normality where all operations occur in accordance with the expected, as if they were made at the workshop, as individual equipment. But actually, the repairs occur in complex environments. Quite often, the rules described in the instructions have to be adapted, or sometimes broken, to enable repair under real conditions. This paper is the result of a research conducted in the maintenance section of an automotive industry. The objective of this study is to understand the relevance of prescriptions for the execution of maintenance activities, either corrective or preventive. Based on the methodological assumptions of Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA), centered on the distinction between prescribed work and real work and self-confrontation interviews, the activity actually performed was faced with the prescription, showing many sources of variability, constraints and contingencies that are managed by professionals during the course of action; mobilizing skills based on experience and know-how, as well as anticipation strategies for the control of situations and actions not always conscious, which indeed ensures effective commitment between production and safety. The results indicate that these prescriptions, even though developed with the effective participation of professionals, are inefficient for the live work. The constraints on the real work are the result of the logic of live activity, unavoidable gap between the works prescribed and the real ones.

Ergonomics in designing process: dialogue between designers, executors and users in the maintenance activity of radars in an oil refinery

This paper aims to discuss the role of ergonomics in design process using the dialogue developed by designers, implementers and users in an oil refinery. It was possible to identify the need of minimizing the postural constraints, risk of accidents, mechanical shocks and to enlarge safety perception in the access and permanency of the users at the workspace. It has been determined and validated by workers and managers to implement different deadlines depending on programming, viability and execution time for the improvements proposed. In a long-term: it was proposed the substitution of the ladders with time planning according to the maintenance program of the tanks; in a short-time: it was suggested the expansion of the existing platforms, implementation of a walkway connection provided with guardrails between the upper access of the side ladder and the repositioning of radar set and aerial aiming at the usage by workers at the workstation of the new platform. It was also elaborated eight typologies of intervention, according to the request, type of tank, material stored, and its setting place. The design process arises from ergonomics workplace analysis that presents concepts for solutions which was a mediator tool to be settled between users and implementers.