Physical stresses arise through unfavourable body postures, rapid or sustained body movements, high force exertion, the handling of loads, or a combination of these aspects. The stresses manifest themselves in strain upon the muscles, locomotor apparatus and spine. Machines and their control stations should be engineered such that stress factors are reduced to a minimum. A risk assessment assists in estimation of a work situation. Corresponding information can be found in the EN ISO 12100 standard and the EN 1005 series of standards.
Correct positioning of control actuators on machines is important in order for them to be reached and to be operated safely and comfortably. Attention should be paid here to design in consideration of anthropometric aspects and to the conditions of movement. Relevant information concerning the positioning of control actuators is summarized for example in EN 894-4.
Exertion of force and handling of loads
© Michael Hüter
Exertion of force and handling of loads
The touch2move control concept implemented by Expresso is a universal control system suitable for a...
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Adjustable control and display element
© Michael Hüter
Adjustable control and display element
The control panel on the Trumpf Trubend 7000 range consists of a touch display in which display and...
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Variable driver's and operator's station
© Michael Hüter
Variable driver's and operator's station
On Crown high-rack order pickers, the driver's control station can be adjusted to the needs of the...
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Overview
Visibility is important for the viewing of relevant areas of work, such as the inside of a machine tool or the area in front of a forklift truck. Constrained visibility can lead to unfavourable body postures or elevated mental stress.
Adjustability of operating panels
© Michael Hüter
Adjustability of operating panels
On the DMG Ergoline Control, the angle of the display and of the lower keypad is adjustable. This...
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Driver's rotating control station
© Michael Hüter
Driver's rotating control station
Linde's driver's rotating control stations can be fitted to larger models of forklift. By releasing...
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Tilting driver's cab
© Michael Hüter
Tilting driver's cab
A tilting driver's cab assists in reducing the necessary angle of head inclination. Such a cab...
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Overview
The use of auxiliary equipment at work can substantially relieve the stress upon workers, for example during the transporting of loads or exertion of high forces. In order for such auxiliary equipment to be used effectively however, the machines in question must be adapted to it. For example, in order for a crane to be used in order to load a milling machine, it must be possible for the top of the machine shrouding to be opened.
Retractable step
© Michael Hüter
Retractable step
The Grifa softstep is a retrofitable step which is retracted after boarding and, when descending...
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Material: plastic
© Michael Hüter
Material: plastic
The use of new types of material enabled the weight of the pallet truck presented here to be reduced...
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Drives for doors on machine tools
© Michael Hüter
Drives for doors on machine tools
Electric door drives can be retrofitted to existing machines in order to reduce the operating forces...
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Overview
The freedom of movement that a worker has at his or her workplace is important not only for reasons of comfort; insufficient room to move can lead to unfavourable body postures and may even cause accidents.
Telescopic loading floors
© Michael Hüter
Telescopic loading floors
The LKE 800 E4.MAV range of shelf trolleys are equipped with withdrawable shelves. These shelves can...
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Folding load floors
© Michael Hüter
Folding load floors
The LKE 800 E3 shelf trolley possesses two shelves on the upper level that can be folded up out of...
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Legroom for improved accessibility
© Michael Hüter
Legroom for improved accessibility
The bottom of the DMG DMU 125 machine housing is recessed. This provides the operator with greater...
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Overview
Load handling is an issue wherever heavy weights need be transported. High forces may also have to be exerted during work, for example for the opening and closing of guards on machine tools. This places stress upon the human musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. In order to reduce the stress on workers, facilities must be fitted to machines to reduce the forces to be exerted and the loads to be handled. Relevant information on risk assessment of the forces to be exerted and loads to be handled can be found in the EN 1005-2 and EN 1005-3 standards.
Drives for doors on machine tools
© Michael Hüter
Drives for doors on machine tools
Electric door drives can be retrofitted to existing machines in order to reduce the operating forces...
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Manual force control for manipulators
© Michael Hüter
Manual force control for manipulators
Where the height is controlled by detection of hand force, sensors are integrated directly into the...
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Open pallet changing system
© Michael Hüter
Open pallet changing system
The Handtmann pallet changer for vertical milling machines enables the tool pallets to be separated...
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Overview
Static body postures must be assumed during almost any task. Wherever possible, these basic postures should lie within a range that is comfortable for the persons adopting them. Ideally, workers should be able to select their basic posture (e.g. sitting or standing) themselves. The machines should be designed to permit this, for example by the allowance of sufficient legroom for a task to be performed in a seated position. Extreme body movements (such as bending down to the ground) should also be avoided, particularly when frequent. Corresponding information can be found in EN 1005-4 and EN 1005-5.
Telescopic loading floors
© Michael Hüter
Telescopic loading floors
The LKE 800 E4.MAV range of shelf trolleys are equipped with withdrawable shelves. These shelves can...
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Diagonal door opening
© Michael Hüter
Diagonal door opening
On machines in the MVC Spinner range, the safety doors are located not on the front of the machine,...
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Retractable step
© Michael Hüter
Retractable step
The Grifa softstep is a retrofitable step which is retracted after boarding and, when descending...
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Overview