Month: December 2017

Evaluation of Motorcyclists’ Hazard Anticipation Behavior at Unsignalized Roundbaouts: On-Campus vs. Off-Campus

Evaluation of Motorcyclists’ Hazard Anticipation Behavior at Unsignalized Roundbaouts: On-Campus vs. Off-Campus
Ahmad Hanif AHMAD RAHMAN1, Ammar ADNAN1, Radin Zaid RADIN UMAR2, Siby SAMUEL3, Mohd Hanafi ANI1, Malek HAMID1, *

1 Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia

3 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

* Corresponding Author: abdmalek@iium.edu.my

Page 46 – 51   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Annually, more than 1 million teenagers and young adults died in road traffic crashes, and road traffic accident is one of the alarming causes of mortality rate in Malaysia. Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and this is mostly due to improper riding behavior. This study focuses on improper behavior – performance of the hazard anticipation – of motorcyclists when entering the roundabout. The objectives of this study were; (i) to evaluate the percentage of overall hazard anticipation behavior among motorcyclists during entering roundabouts; (ii) to compare the hazard anticipation behavior among motorcyclists during entering roundabouts with different road environment – on-campus vs. off-campus roundabouts. 

A naturalistic observation was done at eight scenarios – four at on-campus roundabouts and four at off-campus roundabouts. Dependent variable for this study was the percentage of hazard anticipation among motorcyclists before entering the roundabouts. If a motorcyclist anticipated hazards towards the target zone (the area which the potential hazard may merge) while in the launch zone (the area of two second before merge onto the roundabout). On average, only 54.5% of the motorcyclists anticipated the hazards, while the other 45.5% did not anticipated the hazards. The data was then analyzed by using the chi-square goodness of fit test. The null hypothesis – the equal performance – was rejected, χ2(1) = 6.480, p = 0.011. Comparing the effect of the road environment where the roundabouts are located, the result shows that there was a significant difference in the percentage of hazard anticipated for on-campus scenarios (M=30.75%, SD=13.28) and off-campus scenarios (M=78.25%, SD=11.18) conditions: t(6) = -5.474, p=0.002. Thus, the null hypothesis for this comparison – the equal performance – was rejected. 

This result suggests that location of the roundabout (either on-campus or off-campus) do effect the hazard anticipation behavior among motorcyclists. In general, these findings suggest that an improvement in the current riding education program is needed, as well as to facilitate more awareness program to promote concern on hazard anticipation among motorcyclists.

Keywords

Motorcyclists Behavior, Head Check, In-Campus and Off-Campus, Observational Study

Acknowledgement

The research was supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education through the RAGS 2015-1 grant to International Islamic University Malaysia (Malek Hamid, PI). This study was also supported by the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Survey on Working Environment Potentially to Slips and Falls Among Food Production Industry Workers

Survey on Working Environment Potentially to Slips and Falls Among Food Production Industry Workers
Sharifah Aznee SYED ALI1, 2, Seri Rahayu KAMAT2

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic of Port Dickson, KM14 Jalan Pantai, 71050 SiRusa, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

2 Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.

Page 52 – 56   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Food production workstation is one of the workplace which manually handle by workers during production activities. The objective of this study is to identify the main factors contribute to slips and falls at food production industry. A qualitative method using survey through questionnaire and observation was utilized to identify the harmful working environment at food production workstation. A questionnaire survey was distributed among thirty workers at the selected food production industry. The findings from this study yielded that there are four main factors contribute to slips and falls accident at the food production and services. The factors are flooring (33.33%), footwear (20.00%), cleaning (13.33%), and environment (13.33%). The outcome can serve as a guideline for further study for better understand the association between lifting, fatigue issue in slip and fall factors at food production working area.

Keywords

Working posture, food production, slip and fall

Acknowledgement

Authors would like to express gratitude to the Faculty of Production Engineering (FKP), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka and Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education for support of this work under the sponsorship scheme.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Motorcyclists’ Head Check Behavior During Merging in Traffic: Effect of Different Ranges of Merging Lane Length

Motorcyclists’ Head Check Behavior During Merging in Traffic: Effect of Different Ranges of Merging Lane Length
Ahmad Taqiyuddin ABU HASSAN11, Ammar ADNAN1, Radin Zaid RADIN UMAR2, Siby SAMUEL3, Mohd Hanafi ANI1, Malek HAMID1, *

1 Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia

3 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

* Corresponding Author: abdmalek@iium.edu.my

Page 39 – 45   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Head check is a crucial action to anticipate potential hazards whenever a road user is about to merge onto traffic. Failing to anticipate the hazards may result a road crash. Besides road users’ riding individual behavior, there are several external contributing factors that may influence the head check performances. In this study, the length of the merging lanes of urban expressway was the focus. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of several ranges of merging lane length on motorcyclists’ head check performance during merging in urban expressways. 1200 motorcyclists were observed at twelve selected scenarios around Klang Valley Metropolitan area (n=100 for each scenario). The twelve scenarios were divided into four categories based on its length – (i) 0-100 feet; (ii) 101-200 feet; (iii) 201-300 feet; and (iv) above 300 feet. Dependent variable for this study was the percentage of head checks. If a motorcyclist turns his or her head over the shoulder towards the target zones (the area in which the potential hazard may emerge – the lanes on the expressway) while in the launch zone (the area that is two seconds before the merging nose), he or she was scored 1, else 0 (i.e. binary scoring). In general, the results show that the percentage of motorcyclists who did not performed head checks (88.17%) is higher compared to motorcyclists who did performed head check (11.83%). Specifically, it was observed that the percentage of head checks among the motorcyclists was higher at the shorter merging lanes rather than the longer merging lanes (i.e. gradually decreases from range (i) to range (iv)). This indicate that the length of merging lanes does affect the head check performance among motorcyclists during merging in urban expressway. The finding may recommend for an improvement to the current riding education curricular. In addition, it also would suggest the optimal range of merging lane length for future merging lane design, in which, may influent head check performance among motorcyclists and reduce the road crashes in the merging areas.

Keywords

Motorcyclists Behavior, Head Check, Merging Lane, Urban Expressway, Observational Study

Acknowledgement

The research was supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education through the RAGS 2015-1 grant to International Islamic University Malaysia (Malek Hamid, PI). This study was also supported by the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Safety At Work and Current Legal Framework for the Transport Sector in Anglophone Cameroon

Safety At Work and Current Legal Framework for the Transport Sector in Anglophone Cameroon
Quinta Ewoh ENCHO1, Rozanah AB. RAHMAN2, Shamsul Bahri MOHD TAMRIN3, Vivien HOW3

1 Putra Business School, Universiti Putra Malaysia

2 Faculty of Economics and Management, UPM

3 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM

Page 34 – 38   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health is somewhat existing and on the rise issue in Cameroon. Like most developing countries, little or nothing is being done to stop the ever-increasing rate of accidents and injuries occurred at work. In the transport sector, the rate of occupational accidents and injuries in Cameroon is nothing to ride home about. Every day, thousands of people lost their lives. What is also more disturbing is the fact that when it comes to public transportation companies, the workers are not the only ones involved; the customers or passengers are too. The human cost of poor occupational safety and health is huge. This article discusses the adequacy of the current legal framework in the transport sector in Anglophone Cameroon and proposes a strategic driver towards achieving a safe place of work for this industry.

Keywords

OSH, legislation, policy, enforcement

Acknowledgement

–

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Investigation of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Workers in Food Services (Cafeteria)

Investigation of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Workers in Food Services (Cafeteria)
Seri Rahayu KAMAT1, Eezsafauzia Azalin NORDIN1, Kalthom HUSAIN2, Sharifah Aznee SYED ALI3

1 Department of Management Engineering, Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.

2 Department of Methodology, Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsan (KUIS) Selangor, Malaysia

3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Page 27 – 33   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

In commercial food services, the workers are exposed to various risks factors such as awkward postures, repetition of the body movement, heat stress, prolonged standing, poor lighting and vigorous vibration that are led to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of ergonomics risk factors on worker’s postures while performing kitchen daily activities. The method adopts qualitative method on the physical experience discomfort through the interview session, workplace observation and questionnaires survey to all workers. This project started with determining the physical discomfort which influenced worker working posture while performing daily kitchen activities. The result concluded that most of the respondents faced severe pain in their upper back and lower back. This is due to kitchen daily activities usually involving repetitive and forceful task where workers are required to perform the task in prolonged working hours hence lead to the development of muscle fatigue. The effect of risk factors on the working posture of UTeM’s Cafeteria workers while performing daily kitchen activities is determined by analysing the worker posture using RULA Analysis. Based on the result obtained, the total score for all working posture for current cooking area involving male and female workers are high and required immediate improvement.

Keywords

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Food Service Industry, Workstation

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by University Technical Malaysia Melaka. We would like to
express our gratitude to the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering (FKP), Café UTEM
for the support in this study. Not to forget, our sincerest gratitude to all respondents who took part in this research.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Design Automotive Driver Seat Ergonomically for Malaysian Anthropometry Measurement

Design Automotive Driver Seat Ergonomically for Malaysian Anthropometry Measurement
Mugilan Muralitharan1, Syed Ahmad Helmi1, 2 and Kamarulafizam bin Ismail1

1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

2 Center for Engineering Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Page 21 – 26   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Aesthetic value of the automotive car seat has been one of the selling point of each car besides providing functions such as being safe, supportive as well provide comfort to the occupants. Criteria that have been considered besides the aesthetic element are cushion foam and self-adjustment factor. Ergonomics are not new issue to be brought up as most of the existing seat design today have already practiced. Existing car seat manufacturers have considered anthropometry data. The average upon 95th percentile of human measurement had been deliberated. However, issues such as time spent driving and seat design issue have arisen upon the search of comfort and rising of musculoskeletal disease such as back ache pain. As a solution, this study would propose an automotive car seat design of ergonomic evolution which would create comfort by manipulating the seat cushion foams. The proposed seat cushion foam would be replacing the existing polymers with bean bag foam. This has been inspired by the nature of bean bag, fitting up and providing comfort to the occupants of various body sizes and shapes. Malaysian anthropometry measurement required for design of car seat are obtained which are later compared with the existing seats of commercial vehicle. The most appropriate design principle is used as reference. Pressure mapping of respondent seating on the existing car seat are obtained by literature review. The most sensitive compartments where discomfort have been experienced are studied and placed with sachets filed with bean bag beads. This would be then tested over a few respondents by pressure mat to figure if there were any changes in terms of comfort. This design of new car seat with a manipulation cushion foam replaced with bean bag foam could be a niche to eliminate discomfort to all range body sizes and shapes.

Keywords

Car seat; anthropometry; seat cushion foam; bean bag foam

Acknowledgement

I would like to dedicate my gratitude to NIOSH Johor, Ergonomic Department for the help on the anthropometry data been given to conduct my research. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr Zulhilmi bin Che Daud, the Head of Automotive lab for sponsoring a car seat for me to conduct this research.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Occupational Stress Among a Cancer Hospital Nurses

Occupational Stress Among a Cancer Hospital Nurses
Kama Azida KAMARULZAMAN1, Syazwan Syah ZULKIFLY2, Nor Halim HASAN2

1 Department of Health Perak , 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

2 Department of Occupational Safety and Health Negeri Sembilan, 70000 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Page 12 – 20   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Hospital nurses receive enormous amounts of physical and mental workload which causes them to develop work-related stress. In this research, a cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the level of perceived stress, and also to investigate the relationship between occupational stressor and perceived stress level among one hundred and eighty two (n=182) nurses in a cancer hospital. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire consists Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Based on the results obtained, majority of the nurses perceived high level of stress and six variables namely “workload”, “death and dying”, “inadequate preparation”, “lack of staff support”, “conflict with physician” and “conflict with other nurses” have relationship with occupational stress. The relationship between “uncertainty concerning treatment by physician” and “perceived stress” was found to be absent. NSS explained 19.7% of PSS and “inadequate preparation” as well as “conflict with physicians” the most influential factors towards perceived stress among nurses. For future research, this study is suggested to be expanded to a greater sample of nurses in other hospitals to obtain better conclusion and generalisation.

Keywords

NSS, PSS, Occupational Stress, Nurses

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our gratitude to lecturers from School of Business Management, Human Resource Department, Universiti Utara Malaysia for their guidance on conducting this research. Sincere gratitude also conveyed to all respondents who took part in this research and to all parties who are involved indirectly in assisting this research.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

The Estimation of Different Body Dimensions from Stature in Bangladeshi Male Population

The Estimation of Different Body Dimensions from Stature in Bangladeshi Male Population
Md. Asadujjaman1, Md Mashum Billal2, Md. Rasel Sarkar3, Md. Golam Rabbani4

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

2 Lecturer, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

3 Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology, Saidpur, Bangladesh.

4 Jr. Executive, Quality Control, United Surgical Ltd., Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Page 1 – 6   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

The prime concern of forensic anthropometry is to identify the individuals by analyzing the disintegrated human body parts. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between different human body measurements, and to estimate different body dimensions from stature. The study was carried out on 348 male volunteer participants; aged 19 to 25 years. Fourteen anthropometric parameters had been measured to conduct this study. After analyzing the data, it was found that there was a meaningful relation between the stature and other body dimensions (p< 0.001). Correlation coefficient (r) values of anthropometric data with stature were ranged from +0.22 to +0.83. The standard errors of estimation (SSE) values were varied from ±0.310 cm to ±3.899 cm. Regression equations derived in this paper can be used to estimate various body parts from stature for Bangladeshi male population. Finally, this study concluded that stature is a useful tool to estimate different human body dimensions. Consequently, this is such a novel study for the forensic department to identify persons in case of murders, accidents, natural disasters or war casualties.

Keywords

Forensic anthropometry, Body dimensions estimation, Stature

Acknowledgement

–

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.

Ergonomic Risk Analysis and Mental Workload Study Among Operators in Syringe Assembly Lines

Ergonomic Risk Analysis and Mental Workload Study Among Operators in Syringe Assembly Lines

Ummi Noor Nazahiah ABDULLAH, Norashiken OTHMAN, Atikah AWANG

School of Manufacturing Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, Kampus Pauh Putra, 02600 Arau, Perlis.

Page 7 – 11   |   Vol. 2 No. 3 (2017)  |    Available online on 1 December 2017

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Abstract

Inappropriate sitting working position among operators in syringe assembly inspection possibly contribute to the issue of several syringes passed the quality inspection and delivered to the clients even they contaminated with over amount of silicon lubricant. This inappropriate sitting posture in the inspection workstation could result the stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal disorder and mental workload issue among operators which influence the operators’ performance. This paper presents an investigation to identify the ergonomics and mental workload issues among the operators in the syringe assembly lines. A series of interview and observations were conducted using ergonomic risk analysis (ERA) checklist to investigate the ergonomics issues. NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) method also had been used as mental workload assessment tool. The results from this study show that there are issues in awkward postures, static and sustained work posture, repetition, lighting and noise. Besides, three out of four operators experience more than 50% score of workload during inspections with the high percentage of five index elements except one operator shows the different result. This study contributes to the study field by verifying the ergonomics and mental workload as significant factor to maintain the product quality and productivity. In future, advanced analysis will be conducted to investigate the identified issues in details and next propose the workstation design improvements.

Keywords

ERA,NASA-TLX, postural analysis, sitting position, syringe assembly

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by University Malaysia
Perlis (UniMAP) and University Putra Malaysia
(UPM). Thank you to the company that involved
in this study (the name is private and
confidential). Thank you also to the operators in
the syringe assembly lines that involve in this
investigation.

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.