Abstract
A support system is developed for planning work posture. A virtual reality technique is applied in this system. First, a user interface is made to readily aid design work posture. Next, quantitative criteria following the OWAS method are set for the judgement of posture codes of the back, upper limb and both legs. Additionally, a software program is incorporated into this system to allow touch sensing between hand and objects and to evaluate the load on the body. Then, performance of this system is examined via a case study of the transshipment operation at a distribution center. A posture assessment is performed using this system and by an industrial physician. Their results are compared in detail. Action categories in these assessments are the same in 76% of cases and the correlation coefficient is 0.85. Finally, the work posture of transshipment operation is redesigned using this system and the improvement effect of the revised plan is shown.
