An ergonomic study on posture-related discomfort in backhoe-loader drivers Online publication date: Sat, 27-Sep-2014
by Mohan Jagannath; Kanagasabai Adalarasu; V. Muthu Vignesh; Theertha Sudheer
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology (IJBET), Vol. 11, No. 2, 2013
Abstract: Backhoe-loaders are very useful and common in urban engineering projects. Unfortunately, the repetitive action required to operate a Backhoe-loader produces a number of important issues of health and safety of these drivers. Forty Backhoe-loader drivers participated in this study. Musculoskeletal disorder among the Backhoe-loaders was analysed based on the self-administered questionnaire using RBGPS. Results showed that the pain level perceived by the Backhoe-loader drivers with more than three years experience decreases only in upper back region and remains the same as Backhoe-loader drivers with less than three years of experience for the elbow, shoulder and low back regions. Neck pain among drivers is found to drastically increase with increase in years of experience. Findings indicated that the uniformity in comfort level can be achieved by designing the major components like the cab, the seats and the control elements with utmost care so that this can fulfil the operator's expectations.
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