Nor Kamaliana Khamis

The Roles of Professional Engineers at the Institutions of Higher Learning in Nation-Building.

This paper discusses the roles of professional engineers (PEs) who are attached to the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) and how their contributions are as important as their counterparts in the industry. This paper highlights the roles for PEs at IHLs based on a survey conducted at selected IHLs in Malaysia. Academician-professional engineers have crucial responsibilities to develop graduates who later promote safer and cutting-edge engineering solutions. These new technologies will make Malaysia an environmentally healthier place and further prepare Malaysia towards a developed nation at the end of the decade. From the survey, we conclude that PEs at IHLs make use of their professional qualifications to enhance their knowledge therefore provide better work quality. We also found that lecturers with these qualifications have higher confidence in their own ability to success in their careers and to face and help the public.

Investigation of oil palm harvesters' postures using RULA analysis

Manual workers in agricultural industry are frequently exposed to work related discomfort and pain while performing their work tasks. This leads to common health problems such as Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) which occur due to the feeling of discomfort while performing daily tasks, which in turn affect their work performance. An interview was conducted with three palm oil harvesters to gather information regarding their body part discomfort and general view on working conditions. Consequently, a video camera was used to record the postures and movements of these harvesters while performing their tasks. The Digital Human Modeling Software (DHMS) was used to analyze the postures by using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) analysis. The findings showed that the harvesters experienced body part discomfort mainly on the upper body limbs. Based on the RULA analysis, all recorded postures were unsafe hence immediate actions should be implemented to ensure safe and comfortable working conditions. The main problems were their repetitive movements, awkward postures and heavy tools used when performing the work tasks. Necessary actions should be taken to minimize work risk.

Driving Fatigue among Long Distance Heavy Vehicle Drivers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Long distance driving could result in driver’s fatigue. Driving fatigue has been identified as one of the main reasons behind fatal crashes and injuries. This study aims to identify the body parts that experience fatigue and investigate factors that contribute towards driving fatigue among long distance heavy vehicle drivers. Two methods were used to collect information; first, an oral face-to-face interview and second, a self-administered survey questionnaire. A set of questionnaire was developed, pilot tested for its reliability and validity; and distributed to the respondent. Respondents were 60 heavy vehicle drivers from Klang Valley. Majority of the heavy vehicle drivers agreed that long driving hours is the main factor that causes fatigue. Both oral interviews and survey findings showed that all respondents experienced fatigue while driving. Majority of them start to experience fatigue after two hours of driving. In addition, the result of this study shows the drivers experienced severe discomfort on shoulder and low back. Majority of them highlighted that lack of sleep before starting the journey is the main fatigue cause. In conclusion, the heavy vehicle drivers should have sufficient sleep before long distance driving and take a break after two hours of driving.

Assessment of Hand-Arm Vibration Exposure among Motorcyclist in Malaysia

Motorcyclists are road users that highly exposed to hand-arm vibration that may contribute to body discomfort and fatigue that eventually will lead to road accidents and injuries. The two main objectives of this study are to identify the body parts that experience discomfort among motorcyclist and to understand the vibration exposure effect on different road types. In this study, two research methodologies were used; first, a survey questionnaire of 100 motorcyclists and second, an experimental study on hand-arm vibration (HAV) measurement exposed on motorcyclist using accelerometer mounted on the right side handlebars of the motorcycle. Two male respondents with a different weight range, 45-65 kg and >70 kg are selected for this experiment. The experiment was conducted on two different types of roads: tarmac road and pave road within a speed limit of 20-40 m/s2. Results of the study showed that the motorcyclist usually experienced body discomfort at lower back, upper back, wrist, buttock and neck area. The root-mean-square (r.m.s) frequency-weighted acceleration on the handlebars of the motorcycles was in the range of 0.07 m/s r.m.s for the tarmac road and 0.42 m/s r.m.s for the pave road. This value shows that different road type is affecting the vibration exposed to the motorcyclist. Clearly there’s a vibration felt by the motorcyclist but not on the degree of causing pain but a prolonged exposure to this vibration may induce discomfort and injuries.

Understanding the effect of discomfort level towards motorcycle riders among teenagers: A preliminary study

Motorcycle riders are exposed to extreme riding discomfort due to engine inertial imbalances, improper structural motorcycle design, and road excitation. This paper presents a survey on the perception regarding riding discomfort among motorcycle riders in Malaysia. The survey aims to gather information from motorcycle riders regarding the sources and effects of discomfort in the form of vibration and noise exposure. This survey highlights the components and factors that are related to all aspects of discomfort when riding a motorcycle. Thirty respondents with a mean age of 19 years old from two private universities in Selangor participated in this study. All respondents ridevarying types and sizes of motorcyclesas their main transportation to and from their homes and offices. The resultsindicatethat the vibration source on the foot pedal is the main factor that contributes to the highest discomfort level among motorcycle riders in Malaysia. Despite the small current sample, this studyobtained results that agree with those of previous literature.

Pattern of Muscle Contraction in Car Pedal Control

Driver’s discomfort has gained a lot of attention, especially among interested parties. There are many interacting factors involving both the driver and the interior components of the car that contribute to discomfort while driving. In this study, an investigation was carried out on the contraction of the lower leg muscle among drivers when operating the accelerator pedal. The main objective of this study was to determine the pattern of muscle contraction when operating the accelerator pedal with regard to three different actions; pressing, half-pressing and releasing. Eleven participants were involved in this investigation into the muscle pattern, whereby surface electromyography (SEMG) was used to measure the activity of the lower leg muscle, known as the tibialis anterior (TA). The data collection procedure on the selected muscle was in accordance with the SEMG recommendations for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles. Based on the results, the TA depicted that the highest muscle contraction occurred during the releasing action. In addition, there were significant differences between each action in the T-test analysis with p < 0.05. It can be concluded that the TA muscle works differently based on the car pedal actions.

Development of a statistical model for predicting seat pressure felt level in simulated condition based on direct and anthropometric measurement

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of seat pressure distribution measurements based on a specific posture to predict the pressure felt level when seated. [Subjects and Methods] To examine the relationship between body pressure data and the driver’s perception, eleven subjects were selected to participate in a simulated driving experiment using a pressure mat as a direct measurement method to measure the seat pan’s pressure distribution. The buttock-popliteal length was measured using an anthropometer, and the pressure felt ratings evaluated after the body pressure measurements were recorded. Accordingly, this was then followed by performing statistical analysis using seat pressure measurements, and the buttock-popliteal length as independent variables along with subjective ratings selected of the pressure felt by the drivers’ as dependent variables. [Results] The findings of this study suggest that the direct measurements and anthropometric body data are positively correlated with the predictive model thereby confirming the validity of the model with an R2 value of 0.952. [Conclusion] The proposed model is expected to provide a useful reference value for new vehicle drivers by providing the pressure felt level based on direct and body measurements in a specific posture.

Two Way Assessments in Measuring Vibration Exposure among Workers: A Review

To this date, there were numerous studies that investigate the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal problems related to vibration. This review paper discuss recent studies related to subjective and objective assessment among workers around the world. The two main objectives of this review are: to examine published subjective and objective assessment related to vibration among workers and to extract and comprehend the detailed process of each assessment. Thirteen relevant studies were identified and chosen from electronic databases. “Vibration”, “musculoskeletal problem”, “worker”, and “subjective and objective measures” were the keywords search terms for this review paper. Past studies demonstrated various purposes for implementing subjective and objective assessments of vibration effects among industrial and non-industrial workers. It provides better understanding for future researchers and industrial practitioners to deal with vibration issues among workers. Many mixed methodology research that combines subjective and objective assessments among the workers have been applied in the past studies. However, extensive assessment were not covered by many researchers in dealing with vibration issues. Therefore, investigation and evaluation of the vibration exposure at the workplace is necessary because these groups of workers are frequently exposed to vibration in their daily work and thus faced higher risks of vibration related health effects.

Objective Assessment of Vibration Exposure among Workforces: A Review

The prevalence of work related musculoskeletal problems with respect to vibration is prominent. This review paper gather recent studies related to objective assessment among work force from all over the world. The three main objectives of this review are: to analyse published objective assessment related to vibration among the work force; to extract and understand in detail the process of each assessment; and to identify whether or not there is a relationship between each variables. Twenty relevant studies were identified and chosen from electronic databases, dating as far back as 2001. “Vibration”, “musculoskeletal problem”, “worker”, and “objective measures” were the keyword search terms for this paper. Past studies demonstrated various purposes and implementation of objective assessment among the work force in evaluating vibration effects. It provides better understanding for the future researchers and industry to deal with vibration issues among work force. Many objective assessment methods among the work force have been applied in the past studies. However, they are still many concerns found in past studies that need to be investigated in the future studies. Therefore, there is a need to perform and apply different objective assessment for evaluating human vibration issues.

Driver’s Perception on Electric Vehicles and its Commercial Marketability in Malaysia

Today, majority of the world population are getting more concern on products impact towards the environment. In many parts of the world, electric vehicles (EV) are gaining popularity with vehicle owners due to higher fuel price and lower carbon monoxide emitted to the environment. In Malaysia EV technology is still in infancy stage and many Malaysian drivers are not familiar with this technology. The two main objectives of this study are to investigate the Malaysian driver’s perceptions and awareness on EV technology (i.e. price, driving range, charging point infrastructure and cost of ownership) and to identify EV potential and marketability. A set of questionnaire was developed, pilot tested for its reliability and validity; and distributed to 300 respondents. However, only 112 respondents returned the completed survey questionnaire giving a response rate of 37.3%. The survey finding shows the respondents’ perceptions and knowledge were varied with respect to gender, age, educational level and monthly household income. In depth analysis of the survey results revealed that respondents with higher educational level, age and household income are more likely willing to invest in EV compared to those with lower educational level and household income. Their main positive perceptions on EV are less maintenance, zero carbon monoxide emission to the atmosphere and lower energy cost (i.e. charging cost) compared to fuel cost.