Industrial Ergonomics Tool Use by Certified Professional Ergonomists

Abstract

A survey of Certified Professional Ergonomists (CPEs) was conducted to gather information on the types of basic tools, direct and observational measurement techniques, and software used by practitioners. The results of the industrial ergonomics tools are reported here. A high percentage of respondents reported using tape measures, video cameras, stopwatches and digital cameras. The most commonly used observational methods were those involving manual materials handling, whereas the most commonly used direct measurement tools were pinch and grip dynamometers and push/pull gauges. The type of checklists, software, and anthropometric data used also are summarized, and potential reasons for use, or lack of, are discussed.

Overview of Contemporary Low-cost sEMG Hardware for Applications in Human Factors and Ergonomics

“…Several authors stress the importance of researchers' and practitioners' knowledge and familiarity with the sEMG capture and data interpretation process (De Luca, 1997;Ankrum, 2000;Clarys, 2000;Marras, 2000;Solomonow, 2000). Meanwhile, in a survey of industrial ergonomics tool use, only 1.6% of certified professional ergonomists reported not being familiar with electromyography (Dempsey, McGorry, & Maynard 2004).…”

“…Although sEMG is considered one of the essential tools in Ergonomics, only one third of certified professional ergonomists reported ever using electromyography (Dempsey, McGorry & Maynard, 2004). Surprisingly only 8.7% of ergonomists who had never used sEMG reported it to be too expensive.…”