1. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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OPTIMIZATION OF THE LIFTING HEIGHT CAUSING
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS USING SOFT COMPUTING
TECHNIQUES
Gargi Jaiswal1
, Ashish Kumar1
Haresh Kumar2
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSET, SHIATS-DU, Allahabad India
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motillal Nehru National Institute of Technology,
Allahabad India
ABSTRACT
The aim of present communication is to develop an ergonomic posture-prediction
model for industry workers, engaged in lifting tasks, and to prevent the occurrence of work-
related musculoskeletal disorders, primarily those in the back, upper and lower extremities. A
simulated environment was prepared with the equivalence of Benara Udyog Agra. Five age
groups were selected and height of 0, 3 and 6 feet were chosen to perform the experiments.
The observations were plotted and analyzed with the help of fuzzy tool of Mat Lab.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Soft computing.
1. INTRODUCTION
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) has been a major problem in various industries.
MSD’s has been drawing the attention of many researchers since many years [1], [2], [3], [4],
[5], [6], [7], and [8]. Initially ,the main aim is to reduce MSD’s through some preventive
methods .But nowadays ,the researchers are giving emphasis on soft computing technique
.MSD is not only limited to a specific area but it has its effect in bank offices ,workplaces
,agriculture, during pregnancy etc.
Akrouf et al [1] reported the cross sectional observational study which assessed the
pattern of msd suffered by bank office workers in Kuwait. The most affected body parts were
the neck (53.5%, lower back (51.1%), shoulders (49.2%) and upper back (38.4%).
Haroutiunian et al [9] have found the topical NSAID therapy for musculoskeletal pain. They
concluded that the some topical NSAID formulation have been shown to be more effective
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6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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than placebo in multiple studies, on to have comparable efficacy and a better safety profile
than oral NSAIDS for single joint osteoarthritis and acute muscle injuries . In an acute and
chronic low back pain, widespread musculoskeletal pain and in peripheral neuropathic pain
syndromes, the current evidence does not support the use of topical NSAIDS. The findings of
their study highlight the magnitude of health care utilization for msd’s and the central role of
primary care physicians in the management of these conditions.
Kramer et al [10] identified that it could potentionally reduces the risk of MSDs in the
construction sector. The action research approach was based on a collaborative model of
researchers working with workplace representatives. They searched for innovations being
used by construction companies. From a potential database of 12 s innovations, the study
focused on 2thita innovations that varied in their penetration into worksites in the
geographical area, represented a variety of trades, and were a cross section of tools and work
organizational processes. It examined the attributes of innovations and the barriers to their
adoption. The analysis was based on observations of workers, surveys of workers and
construction safety consultants, and company interiors. The study found that innovations
were adopted by companies for multiple advantages including productivity & quality but not
necessarily ability to reduce MSD risks, their non- complexity & cost.
Zapata et al [11] had undergone through a study of visual and musculoskeletal health
disorders among computer users. Overall , conclusions was that A significant proportion
of the computer users were found to be having health problems and this denotes that the
occupational health of the people working in the computer fields need to be emphasized as
a field of concern in occupational health.
Authors have made an attempt to develop an ergonomic posture-prediction model for
industry workers, specially the casting industry where workers are engaged in lifting tasks
more frequently, and to prevent the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders,
primarily those in the back, upper and lower extremities. A simulated environment was
prepared with the equivalence of Benara Udyog Agra. Five age groups were selected and
height of 0, 3 and 6 feet were chosen to perform the experiments. The observations were
plotted and analyzed with the help of fuzzy tool of Mat Lab.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Workstation
The workstation was developed with the exact dimensions to that of a Lathe machine
in Benara Udyog Agra. Overall schematic picture of workstation is shown in fig: 1a. The
purpose of this workstation was to analyze MSD’s in workers by performing experiments on
the subjects.
This workstation was supported on rigid base so that during loading and unloading of
weight it should not displace from its position. Subjects of different Anthropometry were
chosen. These subjects were exposed to repetitive work. Subjects underwent a standardized
physical examination at that time and again after performing experiment under the same
conditions.
For the purpose of experiments a Crank Shaft of around 20kg of weight was chosen
which was lifted by the workers during the course of experiments. The schematic view of
crank shaft is as shown in fig: 2b

3. International Journal of Advanced Resea
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March
Fig: 1a) Workstation
2.2. Parameters
Following parameters were taken as basis of experiment:
a. Age,
b. Height from which load is lifted
c. Frequency of lifts, and
d. Rest breaks between lifts.
Fig: 2 Different age groups and heights under observation
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976
6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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a) Workstation Fig: 1b) Crankshaft under study
Following parameters were taken as basis of experiment:-
Height from which load is lifted,
.
Different age groups and heights under observation
rch in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
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6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
251
Fig: 2 show different age group and different height of the subject to be lifted. Subjected
were asked to lift the shaft from the ground level, height of 3 feet and more than 3 feet. It
included overhead lifting and placing on the workstation also. The activity was repeatedly
done and accordingly results were obtained. Following questionnaire was filled up by the
workers.
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EXPERIMENT
Subject ……………………………………………………………………
Type of weight lifted ........................................................................
Age category I / II / III / IV
I - 25-35yrs L / M / H
II - 36-45yrs L / M / H
III - 46-55yrs L / M / H
IV - 56-65 yrs L / M / H
V - 66+ yrs L / M / H
Weight lifted (kg) …………………………………………………………………….
(CONSTANT)
Height of subject ……………………………………………………………………
(CONSTANT)
Frequency of lifts Low Medium High
(2 lift per minute) (3 – 7 LPM) (8+ LPM)
Lifting height (From ground)………………………………………………………………..
Stress level (low/medium/high)
I - up to 3 feet …………………………………….
II - 3 – 5 feet …………………………………….
III - more than 5 feet (overhead) ……………………………………...
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Different results for different age group were obtained from the experiments that were
performed on the subjects. The subjects chosen were of different age group with varying
anthropometry.
The subjects were categorized in 5 major age groups. These age groups are as follows –
a. 1st
Age group (25 – 35 years of age)
b. 2nd
Age group(36 – 45 years of age)
c. 3rd
Age group(46 – 55 years of age)
d. 4th
Age group(56 – 65 years of age)
e. 5th
Age group(66+ years of age)

5. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Soft Computing tool was developed using Fuzzy Logic and accordingly following
results were obtained taking into consideration aforementioned four basic parameters. The
rule view for different age groups are depicted as obtained from mat lab software and their
corresponding surface view has also been drawn from fig 3a to fig 5 the rule view is shown
which is giving the optimized value of msd as red continuous line. With the help of these rule
views, surface views has been generated amidst of frequency of lifts, lifting height and MSD
as calculated via Matlab.
Fig: 3a Rule view for age group I Fig: 3b Rule view for age group II

6. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Fig: 4a Rule view of age group III Fig: 4b Rule view of age group IV

7. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Fig 5: Rule view of age group V

8. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Fig: 6a Surface view for age group I
Fig: 6b Surface view for age group II

9. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Fig: 7a Surface view for age group III
Fig: 7b Surface View for age group IV

10. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 2, March – April (2013), © IAEME
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Fig: 8 Surface view for age group
4. CONCLUSION
The results were concluded according to the data obtained from experiments.
Optimum lifting height was calculated for different age groups. The transition from no or
minor pain to severe was influenced by physical and psychosocial work place factors together
with individual and health-related factors.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a significant impact on worker’s time
spent in unpaid care giving roles are limited by work-related disorders in a parallel fashion
MSD’s are normalized between 0 -1 for different age group along with optimum
lifting height.
Age Group Height of Worker
Cm
Optimum Lifting
Height
MSD Optimized
I 158 10”-50” 0.62
II 174 12”-46” 0.59
III 166 15”-40” 0.64
IV Simulated 19”-38” 0.68
V Simulated 24”-35” 0.72

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