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Study of the ergonomic risk in operators of an assembly line using the RULA method in real working conditions through the application of a commercial sensor

Abstract:

Assessing ergonomic risk in real working conditions is a challenge for ergonomists, who use observational methods to collect information, with RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) being one of the most widely used. The disadvantage of these methods is that data collection is subjective and is based on estimates of projected angles on photos and/or videos, which leads to variations according to the criteria of each evaluator. For this reason, this work proposes the use of the Kinect V2 commercial sensor, as a tool for ergonomic assessment in real working conditions in industry. In the study, data such as planes, angles and positions of the worker were obtained, which the RULA method needs to determine the existence of ergonomic risk. The application of the sensor was carried out in real working conditions and it was performed to an operator of a bridge beam assembly line in a metalworking factory. Then, the trajectory and angle curves were obtained by means of an algorithm; and were compared with those of a standard motion capture system in a photogrammetry laboratory. Finally, the RULA score obtained by the implemented system was validated by an expert.