Ergonomic analysis of ophthalmic nurse workplace using 3d simulation

Abstract

The number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders has been increasing in most industries and occupations. Since these injuries impose high costs on employers and society it is important to prevent it through ergonomic assessment and job redesign. The paper presents a research of the workplace ophthalmic nurse regarding strain and stress. In the workplace the Intravenous Fluorescein angiography or fluorescent angiography is made which is a technique for examining the circulation of the retina and choroids using a fluorescent dye and specialized camera. The working procedure is complex and since nurses must assist in several forced positions for longer time ergonomic analyses were made aimed to determine strain and stress at workplace. For assessment of body postures OWAS analysis was performed manually and using computer simulation. The results obtained using computer simulations are comparable to manually performed research for most body positions except for bent and twisted back. Body postures of upper limb, lower limb and neck were exposed as harmful for nurse during working procedure and according to OWAS changes are needed in near future.