The Trenton team are using VelocityEHS’s ergo tool to assess the ergonomic impact of the new equipment on the operator. This tool allows for a short video clip, approximately 60 seconds, to be uploaded and evaluated by the software. The software analyzes the operator’s posture in the video and provides both visual and quantitative analysis of the stresses on the body.

Upon arrival of the first piece of equipment, it was noted:

  • The height might be an area of concern for some of our shorter team members
  • The manufacturer stated that the equipment design could not be adjusted any lower due to the process of the machine

Results: This drove the team to begin researching the ergonomic height ranges and opportunities to mitigate this concern after initial observation of team members’ heights for operation.

The VelocityEHS software uses a standard video (Figure 1), containing only one team member, viewed from a slight angle to capture their entire body. After being uploaded, the software assesses the posture and frequency of moves made to provide a visual of risk areas (Figure 2). The team began with the team member working from floor height to provide a baseline assessment (Figures 1 & 2).

Figure 1: Initial observation of team member on floor during machine operation.

Figure 2: VelocityEHS’s ergo software assessing team member posture and frequency for risk.

After the VelocityEHS software assessed the video, a Score and Risk rating was provided to show the areas of concern (Figure 3). The software also provided a colored body visual of the risk areas (Figure 4).

Figure 3: Scale and Risk Rating of video after software assessment. Note that the team was focused on Posture of the team member and did not collect data to enter into the Force and Duration sections.

Figure 4: Body visual of risk areas from assessment

Following the initial assessment, the team conducted multiple trials to determine an ideal solution to the height concern. All assessments were completed for a single team member whose height best represented the majority of the team members within the department. Additional data and assessments are required before finalizing the platform height.

Figure 5: Operating from a 6″ platform.

Figure 6: Operating from a 17″ platform.

Figure 7: Operating from a 12″ platform.

Figure 8: Score and Risk Rating assessed from video for 12″ platform. Note the adjustments in risks and scores by changing the working height for the team member.

VelocityEHS’s ergo tool is beneficial to help us understand what specific areas of the body are at risk and how improvements can either truly eliminate the risk, or simply transfer the risk to other areas of the body.

In addition to this assessment of new equipment, the ergo tool is also being used in Trenton to analyze our current processes.

This process will make ergonomic improvements beneficial to all our team members.