Prototype System for Measuring and Analyzing Movements of the Upper Limb for the Detection of Occupational Hazards

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 20; no. 17; p. 4993
• Main Authors: Parras-Burgos, Dolores, Gea-Martínez, Alfonso, Roca-Nieto, Lucas, Fernández-Pacheco, Daniel G, Cañavate, Francisco J F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 03.09.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: 3D modelling; Accelerometers; Elbow (anatomy); ergonomics; Forearm; Hand; Humans; low-cost tool; Methods; Movement; Musculoskeletal Diseases - diagnosis; musculoskeletal disorder; Occupational Health; Occupational Injuries - diagnosis; Pathology; Posture; Risk analysis; Risk assessment; risk factors; Sensors; Smartphones; Software; Upper Extremity; Workers; Working conditions; Wrist; risk factors; musculoskeletal disorder; 3D modelling; low-cost tool; ergonomics
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s20174993

In the work environment, there are usually different pathologies that are related to Repetitive Efforts and Movements (REM) that tend to predominantly affect the upper limbs. To determine whether a worker is at risk of suffering some type of pathology, observation techniques are usually used by qualified technical personnel. In order to define from quantitative data if there is a risk of suffering a pathology due to movements and repetitive efforts in the upper limb, a prototype of a movement measurement system has been designed and manufactured. This system interferes minimally with the activity studied, maintaining a reduced cost of manufacture and use. The system allows the study of the movements made by the subject in the work environment by determining the origin of the Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) from the movements of the elbow and wrist, collecting data on the position and accelerations of the arm, forearm and hand, and taking into account the risk factors established for suffering from an MSD: high repetition of movements, the use of a high force in a repetitive manner, or the adoption of forced positions. The data obtained with this system can be analyzed by qualified personnel from tables, graphs, and 3D animations at the time of execution, or stored for later analysis.