ISE 3624 Spring 2015 Final Exam

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The exam contains 14 pages, including this cover sheet. Make sure your exam is complete. This
exam is worth a total of 100 points. You have 2 hours to complete the exam.

Notes:
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In multiple choice questions, any wrong choice will cancel out a right one.
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that are correct and concise, writing everything you know down and hoping part of it is right will
not help you.

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Section 1. True or False. Please circle T if the statement is true or F if the statement is false for
the following questions (1 pts each, 10 pts total).

T F Oxygen deficit occurs whenever a demanding work begins.

T F Human muscle fatigue should be totally avoided.
T F Two types of physical fatigue are central and peripheral fatigue.
T F Young's modulus of skin is higher than the Young's modulus of ligament.
T F Strain index is a risk assessment tool that is designed for the whole body.
T F Screening someone (who has already been hired) to determine his/her suitability for one of the
several alternatives is allowable.
T F OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300) has to be completed within two
weeks after receiving information about the occurrence.
T F Finding high risk workers, improving the performance of the organization, and assessing the return
to work status are among the applications of evaluating the workers capacity.
T F Worker selection and training interventions are the only effective controls for lower back pain.
T F Workers compensation, Intentional Tort, and Americans with Disabilities Act are the legal avenues
for injured or discriminated employees.

Section 2. Matching. Match the following terms to their description (1 pts each, 10 pts total).

__7__ Extension
__18__ Time required by an average worker, working at a normal pace, to complete a specified task using a
prescribed method.
__16__ Type of Cartilage in skull
__17__ A process for measuring the required time for performing a given task, by a given method, by a
trained worker, working in a normal pace.
__3__ Pronation
__20__ A division of work that can be measured with stopwatch equipment and that has readily identified
terminal points (break points).
__8__ Type of Joint in Knee
__19__ A method of analyzing work by taking a large number of observations at random intervals, to
establish standards and improve methods.
__10__ The time added to procedure to provide for personal delays, unavoidable delays, and fatigue.
__13__ Chemical used for producing Energy
1. Work measurement Rotation of forearm toward anatomical position; 2. Time study, 3. Rotation of forearm away
from anatomical position; 4. Performance rating, 5. Rotation of the anterior surface medially, 6. Capacity, 7. An
increase in the angle formed by two bones, 8. Synovial Joint, 9. Hyaline Cartilage, 10. Allowances, 11. Movement
toward the mid-line, 12. Rotation of the anterior surface laterally, 13. Adenosine Triphosphate, 14. Cartilaginous Joint,
15. Fibrous Joint, 16. Fibrocartilage, 17. Work design, 18. Standard time, 19. Work sampling, 20. Element

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Section 3. Multiple choices and short answers (30 pts)

1. Describe two reasons about why we need to evaluate the work capacity? (4pts)

Answer: Any two of these 4 should be good, or proper explanation around them.

Identify high risk workers

Improve organizational performance
Assess "Return to Work" status
Understanding the capacities of special populations (i.e. women, older workers, physically
impaired workers)

2. Should ergonomic design completely avoid non-neutral postures? If not, what should be the goal
then? (4 pts)

Answer: No (1pt), and 2 pts for two of the followings.

Avoid extremes
Keep near mid-range of motion
Allow for some movement

3. What is the relationship between Demand and Capacity, and why is it important. (4 pts)

Answer: Maintain: Demand < Capacity

Otherwise, workers cannot complete their tasks properly and/or will be at risk of developing WMSDs,
also their performance will be reduced, productivity will be decreased, etc.

4. List four types of risk factors for WMSDs. (4 pts)

Answer: Either 4 of the following risk factors: Postural stress, Forceful exertions, Repetitive exertions,
Sustained (static) exertions, Localized mechanical (contact) stresses, Vibration, Cold temperature

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 5. What is the name of each anatomical plane? Also, describe the movement of shoulder joint. (Write
under each one) (4pts)

Horizontal OR Transverse, Coronal OR Frontal, Sagittal Abduction

6. What are the two advantages of standard data systems? (4 pts)

Answer: Any two of the following bullet points
Increased productivity in setting standards
Capability to set standards before production
Avoids need for performance rating
Consistency in the standards
Inputs to other information systems

7. NIOSH Lifting equation is applicable when (2 pts)

a. Carrying is a major work task.
b. Two-handed lifting is performed with moderate repetitions.
c. Two-handed lifting is performed while seated.
d. One-handed lifting is performed at moderate speed.

8. Which of the following is NOT an engineering control for addressing MMH risk factors? (2 pts)
a. Weight of the load
b. Time pressure
c. Lifting frequency
d. Posture

9. Which of the following is NOT true about aerobic processes? (2 pts)

a. Most tasks are of this nature
b. They can be sustained for less than 10 seconds
c. Efficient, high capacity
d. Oxygen entering the lungs is sufficient for the energy demands

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ANALYZE A SITUATION (10PTS)

A 61 year old employee is required to adopt a working posture that causes over 6700 N of compression in
his low back. Based on the operator size and weight, he has been estimated to be an 80th percentile male.

CS = 7222.41 (1047.71 x Age) (1279.18 x Gender) + (56.73 x PP)

CS = Compressive Strength (N)
Age = 1 (20-29 years), 2 (30-39 years), 3 (40-49 years), 4 (50+)
Gender = 1 (male), 2 (female)
PP = Population Percentile (5 for 5th Percentile, 95 for 95th, etc)

3400 N: Spinal action limit

6400 N: max spinal permissible limit

a. Estimate the operator spinal compression tolerance using the above regression model. Based on the
results, is the task safe? (5pts)

Answer:
CS = 7222.41 (1047.71* 4) (1279.18 * 1) + (56.73 x 80) = 6290.79 N

At risk but doable! We can say the task is still safe!

b. This working posture needs the worker to keep the trunk 30o above the horizontal plane. It is also
notable that performing this task will result in an external flexion moment of 210 Nm on low-back.
Using the included tables, what percent of males have sufficient torso strength to perform this task?
(5 pts)

External lower back moment=210 Nm, therefore internal lower back moments will be 210 Nm extension,
and we need to use the 60 o, since table is provide info from erect condition.

Z score = (210-171)/73 = 0.53

Using the table, only 30% of male population will be able to do the task.

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REVISED NIOSH LIFTING EQUATION (15 PTS)

The task variable data are measured and recorded on the job analysis worksheet (Figure 1). The vertical
location of the hands is 15 inches (38.1 cm) at the origin and 36 inches (91.4 cm) at the destination. The
horizontal location of the hands is 18 inches (45.72 cm) at the origin and 10 inches (25.4 cm) at the
destination. The asymmetric angle is 45o at the origin and 45o at the destination of the lift, and the
frequency is 5 lifts/min for 90 min. The bag weighs 40 lbs (18.1 kg), and the coupling is fair.

a) Compute the lifting index at the origin. (10 pts)

b) Indicate whether the task is safe or not. If not, provide two re-design suggestions. (5 pts)

Answer:

a) Origin: HM=25/45.72=0. 547, VM=(1-(0.003|38.1-75|))=0.889, DM= (0.82 +(4.5/53.3))=0.904

AM=(1-(0.0032|45|))=0.856, FM= 0.6, CM=0.95

RWL = 23*0. 547*0.889*0.904*0.856*0.6*0.95=4.933 kg

LI=18.1/4.933 = 3.67

b) Since the LI is bigger than 3, the task is not safe. (1 pts)

Recommendations: (2 pts each)

1. HM is so small, decreasing the horizontal distance would help a lot.

2. Since the frequency of lifting is kind of high, the best choice intervention might be to decrease the
lifting frequency, if not possible, increasing the number of workers.
3. VM is the next small factor, increasing the load height in origin might also help.
(Any other reasonable interventions would be ok!)

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Risk assessment tools (10 pts)

A worker is performing an adjustment task which requires him to use a force of less than 11lbs for 5-10
minutes. Please analyze this task using the attached REBA sheet and state all assumptions of angles, wrist
position, coupling, etc. on the drawing.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY (5 PTS)

In the table below, there is some imaginary data on the prevalence of back problems in a group of 125 shop
workers. The occupational exposure is having to lift objects. As can be seen, there are 25 cases out of the
total of 125 workers.

Back Problem
Yes No Row Total
Exposed to lifting?
Yes 18 22 40
No 7 78 85
Total 25 100 125

a) What is the overall prevalence rate for the back disorders? (2 pts)
b) Calculate the odds ratio (OR). What does it mean? (3 pts)

Answer:
a. The overall prevalence rate for the back disorders is 25/125 or 20%.
b. OR= (18/7) / (22/78) = 9.1 We can conclude that there is ~9 times risk of being exposed, given
the back problem is present.

MOST SYSTEM (10 PTS)

Consider walking three steps, bending down to pick up a bolt from the floor, arising, walking the three steps
back, and placing the bolt in a bolthole. Answer the following questions.

a) Define Get for this task, and complete the task sequence A _ B _ G _ (3 pts)
b) Define the Put for this task, and complete the task sequence A _ B _ P _ (3 pts)
c) What is the final time required to complete this task in TMU. (4 pts)

Answer:

a) Get is defined by A6= walk three steps to object, B6 = bend and arise, G1= gain control of light
object
b) Put is defined by A6= walk three steps to place the object, B0= no body motion, P3= place and
adjust object
c) A6B6G1A6B0P3A0: (6+6+1+6+0+3+0) * 10 = 220 TMU

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Extra credit. Biomechanics & Discussion (10 pts)

An 80 kg male worker must hold a tool statically in either of the two postures shown below. The forearm
(including the hand) is 25 cm long, and the center of mass of the forearm is assumed to be at 10 cm beyond
the distal end of his forearm. The mass of the tool is 8kg. Note: Gravity = 9.81 m/s2

Shoulder!

Tool! Shoulder! Tool!

Elbow! Elbow!

(A) (B)
a. Draw a FBD for (A) and (B) and solve for the net external moments acting on the
elbow. (6 pts)

Shoulder! +y

0.25 m +M +x
Tool!
0.15 m
M
E
Elbow!
Wtool
F
E
Wforearm Whand
= 0, ME - 0.15*(80*0.017*9.81) 0.25*8*9.81 0.25*(80*0.006*9.81) = 0, then ME = 22.80 N
ME, external = - ME = -22.80 N

FBD and the external moments are similar for both (A) and (B).

b. Would the endurance time at the elbow (ignoring the shoulder, and considering only the
muscles at the elbow) be the same or different in the two postures? Explain why you
think it is the same or different. Clearly justify your answers. (4 pts)

No, (A) and (B) represent different postures, therefore, different muscle length affect the muscle
capacity to generate force, which will result in different endurance time.

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Reference Materials

g = 9.81 m/s2

NIOSH Lifting Guide

RWL = 23kg HM VM DM AM FM CM
HM = 25/H
VM = (1-(0.003|V-75|))
DM = (0.82 + (4.5/D))
D = |VD-VO|
AM = (1-(0.0032|A|))

CM: From table

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Torso Static Moment Strengths for older males, degrees from erect posture

Posture Task Male

0o Flexion 162 (53)
Extension 259 (107)
20o Flexion 156 (47)
Extension 288 (109)
40o Flexion 128 (40)
Extension 232 (85)
60o Flexion 82 (30)
Extension 171 (73)

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 General Move Subactivities

***Extra Workspace. Please indicate on the problems workspace if you are continuing work here.

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