July 2016 - Volume 2, Issue I
DIGITAL
HUMAN
MODELLING
AND
AGEING
WORKFORCE
Abstract:
By
Dr. Hussain Amjad
Digital human modelling (DHM) has often focused on user populations that could be characterised as able-bodied and in the
working age group. It is clear however that demographic changes are resulting in older populations in developed countries but
this is also becoming increasingly true even in developing countries. The economic pressures of increased life expectancy are
resulting in demands for workers to remain in employment well
past what would previously have been considered a normal
retirement age. In many countries legislation is increasing retirement ages for entitlement to state pensions, and enforceable
retire-ment ages are being outlawed. As a consequence older
working populations can be expected. Age in the workforce has
many positive aspects including increased experience, wisdom,
loyalty and motivation, but an inevitable consequence of ageing
is negative effects such as the loss of capabilities in strength,
mobility, vision and hearing. The challenge of including older
workers is recognised as an important aspect of Inclusive
Design and DHM is recognised as a potentially useful method
for its implementation. Today’s highly demanding and competitive working environments require the highest levels of productivity from individuals so that overall operational and business
objectives can be achieved. DHM-based workplace risk
assessment methods have successfully been used to improve
working environments by conducting virtual posture based
ergonomic risk analysis. Older workers are significantly different
from younger workers in terms of their physical, physiological
and cognitive capabilities and these capabilities directly or
indirectly affect human work performance. This article suggests
the use of human capability data in a virtual environment to
explore the level of acceptability of a working strategy based on
real capability data (joint mobility in this case) of older workers.
A case study shows that the proposed DHM-based inclusive
design method is use-ful recommending working strategies that
are acceptable for older workers in terms of work productivity,
well-being and safety. (To view the full article. Please visit our group “PSIE
Research Center” on Facebook.)
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