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Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mirka, GA; Ning, X; Jin, S; Haddad, O; Kucera, KL
Published in: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
September 1, 2011

Work tasks in the commercial fishing industry require strength, endurance and coordination and these tasks expose fishermen to many of the recognized risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The focus of the current study was the design, development and testing of two simple ergonomic interventions to reduce exposure to these risk factors in small-scale commercial crab fishermen. In a laboratory study of these interventions, EMG and motion analysis systems were used to quantify changes in muscle force and body postures. The results of laboratory evaluation of the intervention designed to reduce the low back stress associated with hoisting the crab pots onboard showed significant reductions in muscle force requirements (erector spinae activity reduced by 25%) and peak sagittal trunk angle (reduced by 34%), while the results of the intervention designed to reduce shoulder stress during the process of shaking the crabs from the pots showed significant reductions in peak deltoid activity (reduced by 24%). A field test of these interventions provided a more subjective "usability" evaluation of the interventions. These responses were cautiously positive, providing insights into when these interventions would be most appropriate and under what conditions they would be more of a hindrance than a help. Relevance to industry: Engineering controls are recognized as the most effective methods of reducing exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal injury. Engineering controls were developed for small-scale commercial crab fishermen and these interventions were tested in the laboratory and in the field. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Duke Scholars

Published In

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

DOI

EISSN

1872-8219

ISSN

0169-8141

Publication Date

September 1, 2011

Volume

41

Issue

5

Start / End Page

481 / 487

Related Subject Headings

  • Human Factors
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4206 Public health
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
 

Citation

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Mirka, G. A., Ning, X., Jin, S., Haddad, O., & Kucera, K. L. (2011). Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 41(5), 481–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2011.03.006
Mirka, G. A., X. Ning, S. Jin, O. Haddad, and K. L. Kucera. “Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen.” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 41, no. 5 (September 1, 2011): 481–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2011.03.006.
Mirka GA, Ning X, Jin S, Haddad O, Kucera KL. Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 2011 Sep 1;41(5):481–7.
Mirka, G. A., et al. “Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen.” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 41, no. 5, Sept. 2011, pp. 481–87. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2011.03.006.
Mirka GA, Ning X, Jin S, Haddad O, Kucera KL. Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 2011 Sep 1;41(5):481–487.
Journal cover image

Published In

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

DOI

EISSN

1872-8219

ISSN

0169-8141

Publication Date

September 1, 2011

Volume

41

Issue

5

Start / End Page

481 / 487

Related Subject Headings

  • Human Factors
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4206 Public health
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences