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- Macroergonomic aspects in the design of development programs in IDCsPublication . Coelho, Denis; Ferrara, Patrícia R.; Couvinhas, Ana F.; Lima, Tânia M.; Walter, Jake K.This paper revisits three reports on ergonomic aspects of development initiatives taking place in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs). These include a macro-ergonomics intervention in a habitation community in Cape Verde (aimed at designing solutions contributing to sustainable development), the evolution of poultry growers’ control strategies as an integrative broiler operation is introduced in Mozambique, and a set of macro-ergonomic considerations related to the Agro Forestry Village Project in Mozambique. The paper seeks to set the reviewed development endeavors against the backdrop of the goals of ergonomics interventions. This reflection may inform development agents in future processes of design and implementation of integrated community and work systems transformation.
- Computational decision-making support tool for the optimized application of phytopharmaceuticalsPublication . Lopes, Vasco Miguel Pires; Canhão, Tiago; Antunes, Maria; Lima, Tânia M.; Gaspar, Pedro DinisNowadays, agriculture deals with intensive production, plagues, pests and inefficient use of natural and energy resources, also due to global temperature increase and climate change. This work seeks to answer the need to create new decision support tools for the application of phytopharmaceuticals. Mathematical objective functions capable of answering two problems were gathered. The first simulates the route and life cycle of a phytopharmaceutical. The second objective function provides the ideal quantities of phytopharmaceutical to be applied, based on climatic conditions, temperature, size of the tree canopy and dimensions of the agricultural fields.
- Gender Differences in Associating Musculoskeletal Complaints, Housework, Electronic Device Usage and Physical Exercise for Administrative WorkersPublication . Lima, Tânia M.; Coelho, Denis A.This study assessed musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) in administrative workers, associating MSCs with nonpaid housework, home use of electronic devices and physical exercise, while keeping a distinctive gender approach. This may promote the development of more effective preventive measures, by meeting the specific strengths and weaknesses of each gender. Methods. Ninety-six administrative workers (58 women and 38 men) who used computers more than 50% of their working time participated in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire concerning individual socio-demographic data, habits and lifestyle, and including the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), was deployed. Gender-based odds ratios for MSCs in body areas over the previous 12 months and correlation coefficients between habits and lifestyle variables and NMQ variables were computed. Results. Women did not incur a higher risk of MSCs than men. Analysis of the association did not yield meaningful associations for either gender. Results suggest giving future consideration to development of gender-specific preventive measures. Conclusion. Computerized work performed concomitantly with physical exposures outside the workplace showed mixed associations with MSCs, according to gender and depending on the kind of exposure. Results are indicative of the need for development of gender-specific preventive measures.
- Energy Sustainability Universal Index (ESUI): A proposed framework applied to the decision-making evaluation in power system generationPublication . Silva, Ricardo M.; Silva, Ana R.C.; Lima, Tânia M.; Santos, Fernando Charrua; Osório, Gerardo J.There are numerous methodologies to measure sustainability, but there are few models on Energy Sustainability (ES) that focus on the proper use of energy sources. This manuscript aims to present the ESUI (Energy Sustainability Universal Index) framework for power generation. The method development consisted of four stages: (i) A survey of the State-of-the-Art to choose the dimensions and variables; (ii) The definition of “damage” concept to incorporate subjective values; (iii) Validation of the found variables through the analysis of 34 electric power plants randomly chosen and tested; and (iv) The mathematical model. From the analyzed power plants through the proposed model, as an example, the Itaipu Binacional Hydroelectric Power Plant is 42% sustainable with an emphasis in the Political- Territorial dimension, while Trillo Nuclear Power Plant is not economically sustainable. The main contributions of the proposed ESUI framework are the classification and evaluation of ES in five dimensions (Environmental, Economic, Social-Cultural, Political-Territorial, and Technological) through a simple process, helping in the management of the decision-making process, accounting simultaneously for subjective aspects and incorporating weighting factors according to the user’s expert opinion.
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management in Industry 4.0: A Review of Technologies and TrendsPublication . Lemos, Janaína; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Lima, Tânia M.In recent decades, concern with workers’ health has become a priority in several countries, but statistics still show that it is urgent to perform more actions to prevent accidents and illnesses related to work. Industry 4.0 is a new production paradigm that has brought significant advances in the relationship between man and machine, driving a series of advances in the production process and new challenges in occupational safety and health (OSH). This paper addresses occupational risks, diseases, opportunities, and challenges in Industry 4.0. It also covers Internet-of-Things-related technologies that, by the real-time measurement and analysis of occupational conditions, can be used to create smart solutions to contribute to reducing the number of workplace accidents and for the promotion of healthier and safer workplaces. Proposals involving smart personal protective equipment (smart PPE) and monitoring systems are analyzed, and aspects regarding the use of artificial intelligence and the data privacy concerns are also discussed.
- Sociodemographic Data and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in the Metal Polishing Industry: A Case Study in Central PortugalPublication . Alves, Joel; Lima, Tânia M.; Gaspar, Pedro DinisThe prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is a red flag in industries and is considered an occupational health issue that affects the operator’s well-being, safety, and health. This study contributes to understanding the impact of Industry 5.0 on the workforce and emphasizes the importance of promoting a safe and healthy working environment. Thus, it focuses on the assessment of anthropometric characteristics and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in a real industrial environment, specifically in the metal polishing sector of a metallurgical industry in Portugal. The research collected data on physical attributes, health status, and musculoskeletal symptoms using the Portuguese version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and incorporated sociodemographic data, including age, gender, and professional status, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the active workforce. The results were analyzed by gender and age clusters and revealed a prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly in the spinal column and upper limbs, with a significant impact on the ability to perform work tasks. The need for preventive measures and ergonomic interventions to minimize the high predominance of musculoskeletal symptoms in Portuguese industries is also highlighted to improve the working conditions and enhance the well-being and health of operators.
- Layout and Industrial Efficiency: A Case StudyPublication . Santos, Fernando Charrua; Calais, J.; Santos, Beatrice Paiva; Lima, Tânia M.In face of the pressures exerted by the globalization of the markets and the needs to meet the expectations of consumers, companies seek to improve their organizations at different levels. To meet these requirements and survive in increasingly dynamic scenarios, companies must be aware that they can not to be more static and they must adapt to gain competitive strength. In this context, the study of the industrial layout assumes an important role integrating all the elements involved in the production process. Thus, this article intends to demonstrate the relevance of the thematic study. To this objective, we present a case study layout of a manufacturing wood-based, with a proposal for improvement based on the SLP – systematic layout planning, method, combined with practical considerations and constraints, discussed here, and presents in industrial facilities.
- Análise ergonómica de trabalho com as novas tecnologias : uma perspectiva da prevenção de lesões músculo-esqueléticasPublication . Lima, Tânia Daniela Felgueiras de Miranda; Coelho, Denis AlvesEsta dissertação aborda a temática da prevenção de lesões músculoesqueléticas ligadas ao trabalho (LMELT), focando-se nos membros superiores. Considera-se um contexto real de trabalho, em ambiente de escritório, envolvendo doze postos de trabalho, onde se desenvolve actividade ocupacional utilizando as novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação, de modo continuado. Os objectivos da dissertação passam por realizar uma análise ergonómica aos postos de trabalho onde se utilizam equipamentos informáticos no âmbito da organização empresarial focada; analisar, avaliar e definir medidas preventivas que visem a melhoria das condições de trabalho, nos postos focados, com o objectivo de eliminar ou diminuir o risco de ocorrência de lesões músculoesqueléticas e, contribuir para a consciencialização dos trabalhadores abrangidos pelo estudo para a gravidade do problema das lesões músculoesqueléticas. Procedeu-se à revisão bibliográfica das recomendações ergonómicas para trabalho de escritório com computadores, tendo sido desenvolvida uma nova lista de verificação para sistematizar no universo em análise a identificação de desadequações ergonómicas. Foi também seleccionado, de entre os métodos relatados na bibliografia, um método semi-quantitativo de aferição do risco de ocorrência de LMELT, atendendo a critérios de aplicabilidade e de adequabilidade ao caso real em estudo. O método de avaliação integrada do risco seleccionado e utilizado é o método RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment). Foram detectadas desadequações ergonómicas significativas na maioria dos postos analisados, tendo-se aplicado o método RULA ao caso mais gravoso, e tendo sido posteriormente estabelecidas recomendações de melhoria para aplicação nos postos estudados de forma agrupada. Constatou-se ainda que a aplicação das recomendações nem sempre é de fácil aceitação por parte dos trabalhadores envolvidos, havendo a necessidade de uma monitorização regular, e de um aconselhamento continuado. O método de avaliação de riscos utilizado não contempla a análise dos factores psicossociais, embora estes factores se situem mais no âmbito da psicossociologia laboral do que no contexto da ergonomia. Se os métodos de avaliação de risco de lesões músculo-esqueléticas, integrassem esta temática, será que os resultados seriam os mesmos, assim como o seu nível de risco?
- Indústria 5.0 – Priorização da Centralidade Humana para a Sustentabilidade e Resiliência na Produção IndustrialPublication . Alves, Joel; Lima, Tânia M.; Gaspar, Pedro DinisA Indústria 5.0 apresenta-se como uma estratégia que coloca o fator humano no centro da produção, priorizando o seu bem-estar, bem como a adoção de sistemas de produção mais sustentáveis e resilientes. Para a centralização humana, é necessário capacitar os seres humanos e, respetivamente, os operadores industriais, para melhorar as suas aptidões e competências individuais em colaboração ou cooperação com as tecnologias digitais. O principal objetivo e ponto distintivo desta investigação é determinar se a Indústria 5.0 é verdadeiramente orientada para o ser humano e como a centralidade humana pode ser criada com as tecnologias da Indústria 5.0. Para tal, este capítulo de revisão sistemática da literatura analisa e clarifica os conceitos e ideologia da Indústria 5.0, as suas respetivas tecnologias, assim como as estratégias de centralização humana, com o objetivo de alcançar sistemas sustentáveis e resilientes, especialmente para o trabalhador.
- Quality 4.0 and Cognitive Engineering Applied to Quality Management Systems: A FrameworkPublication . Carvalho, Adriana Raquel Ventura; Lima, Tânia M.In order to create high-quality products, quality engineering must be integrated across the entire product development process. To accomplish the ultimate goal, innovative approaches are required, and a Quality Management System-QMS is imperative to standardize all processes. All business areas depend on people and processes, but quality is especially dependent on them. A QMS can benefit from the application of Quality 4.0—Q4.0 and Cognitive Engineering—CE aspects to reduce the workload and cognitive capacity required from QMS specialists, using these technologies to tackle long-standing quality concerns and to re-optimize to deliver creative solutions. The decision to implement a QMS based on Q4.0 technologies is difficult to take due to the challenge that is to automatize dispersed activities. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that aids in the application of a Q4.0 QMS. The relationship between quality management practices and Industry 4.0 technologies that improve quality are deeply studied and connected with CE practices to develop an advanced framework, that makes it easier to overview all the dispersed activities within the manufacturing environment gathered as one, and simplify the application of new technologies to the QMS activities. The proposed framework was developed as result of this study.