O-342 Occupational ergonomic study on the control panel of WAP7 locomotive & design intervention on Indian railway. (14th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pandit, Sangeeta; Sahu, Avinash; Krishna, Suyash; Kamble, Rajat; Prakash, Bangaru Sai
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A76
• Page End: A77
• Publication Date: 2023-03-14
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Present study was conducted on loco pilots of WAP 7 a high-speed locomotive, that pulls superfast trains of Indian Railway. Their job is highly attentive along with performing complex and repetitive tasks to drive the train. Loco pilots respond to control panels based on external signals. Arrangement of control panel in the existing WAP 7 locomotive led accessibility issues among the pilots causing Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) from postural stress. This study is focused on the identification of the factors responsible for the development of MSD and how design intervention could be effective. Methods: Operation-subsystem-matrix analysis was performed among 39 loco pilots while driving WAP 7 locomotive for evaluating frequency and sequence of operation of existing control panel. A modified Nordic questionnaire was performed to evaluate body discomfort. Further, anthropometric dimensions and operation-subsystem ranking were considered for design modification. Design methods such as concept generation, selection and design development were performed for the intervention. Usability testing on laboratory condition was performed on 5 loco pilots. Results: Greater than 50% of loco pilots reported discomfort in upper back, lower back and neck regions. The control operations involving use of throttle, brake handle and foot switch had ranks 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These operations were found to majorly cause MSDs in most of the body regions, with highest percentage of reports in upper back (67%), followed by lower back (54%), neck (54%), and shoulders (49%) during the operations of brake system (p<0.001), which has high importance, having the highest matrix entries in the control systems. Usability testing on the prototype by 5 loco pilots in control laboratory condition was found to be highly effective. Conclusion: This study reveals poor ergonomic issues in the existing control panel design responsible for MSD and effectiveness of design intervention to overcome the existing problem.