Utilization of Digital Technology and Mocap Systems In Workload and Ergonomic Risk Analysis

Forest work, wood processing or work in arboriculture is a mixture of manual and motor work alongside the integration of cutting-edge machinery and techniques. These methods pose ergonomic and safety challenges to workers, including the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, exposure to harmful factors, and the physical strain of operating in diverse terrains. Maintaining a balance between body stability, strength, and cognition while operating chainsaws or manual equipment demands constant dynamic adjustment of the body's posture in a difficult environment, placing additional strain on the neuro-skeletal system. Our recently published study of arboricultural work confirmed that there is a difference concerning blood pressure between physical workloads, associated with tree felling, tree climbing, or chainsaw maintenance, and cognitive workloads, such as supervision or observation. The study has shown that blood pressure was reasonably higher for activities that involved a cognitive workload. [DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26264] The objective of our Workload and Ergonomic Risk Study is to recognize the possible impact of high workloads during chainsaw operation and manual handling activities on total workload and energy consumption in alignment with the maturity of the workers and the ability to eliminate ergonomic and workload-related risks. The digital MoCap (Motion Capture systems) with IMU units (Inertial Measurement Units) and different wireless technologies to measure physiological signals (heart rate, breathing pattern, and oxygen saturation in the bloodstream) to identify possible risks, were used. The participants were two forest workers (experienced and less experienced) and four firefighters operating a chainsaw while dealing with disaster situations e.g. removing fallen trees (two experienced, two less experienced). Five groups of activities have been tested on all participants - initial physiological and Gait analysis measurements before the work, a defined set of physical power load exercises to simulate work activities, chainsaw cutting and manual handling measurements, and physiological measurements 10 min after the work activities. The Gait analysis for basic postural stability and movement analysis, analysis of the physiological data before, during, and after working activity, and Ergonomic Risk analysis. The final analysis focused on the total workload, energy consumption, ability to lower the ergonomic risks, the level of ability to properly manage given tasks and to apply given working instructions, safety, and ergonomic rules. Results showed that the lack of experience and ability to properly follow working instructions and rules correlated with a higher total workload and lower ability to balance body load and stability in diverse terrains on a safe level and eliminate possible safety risks (presented on a higher load on one leg, back and spine, and upper arms). The study has shown important points that need to be taken into consideration for future digital models and analytical tools for forestry ergonomics and workload risk analysis. This includes detailed analysis for manual and motor work, assessment of different work-related physical strains, ergonomic analysis for small and large muscle groups, evaluation of terrain impact on worker biomechanics, and impact of the neurocognitive and stress-related loads.