Title: Ergonomics development needs in truck body design – from video analyses to solution proposals

Authors: Arto Reiman; Ari Putkonen

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, 90014, Finland. ' Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lemminkäisenkatu 30, 20520 Turku, Finland

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: delivery transport; participative ergonomics; physical discomfort; product design; psychosocial discomfort; safety; truck body design; vehicle design; truck drivers; work outside the cab; video analysis; human factors; risk assessment; trailers; heavy vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2012.045273

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2012 Vol.1 No.1, pp.58 - 73

Published online: 06 Aug 2014 *

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