This study introduces a novel wearable Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based system for an objective and comprehensive assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), thus enhancing workplace safety. The system integrates wearable technology with a user-friendly interface, providing magnetometer-free orientation estimation, joint angle measurements, and WMSDs risk evaluation. Tested in a cable manufacturing facility, the system was evaluated with ten female employees. The evaluation involved work cycle identification, inter-subject comparisons, and benchmarking against standard WMSD risk assessments like RULA, REBA, Strain Index, and Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis. The evaluation demonstrated uniform joint patterns across participants ($ICC=0.72\pm 0.23$) and revealed a higher occurrence of postures warranting further investigation, which is not easily detected by traditional methods such as RULA. The experimental results showed that the proposed system’s risk assessments closely aligned with the established methods and enabled detailed and targeted risk assessments, pinpointing specific bodily areas for immediate ergonomic interventions. This approach not only enhances the detection of ergonomic risks but also supports the development of personalized intervention strategies, addressing common workplace issues such as tendinitis, low back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The outcomes highlight the system’s sensitivity and specificity in identifying ergonomic hazards. Future efforts should focus on broader validation and exploring the relative influence of various WMSDs risk factors to refine risk assessment and intervention strategies for improved applicability in occupational health.

Occupational ApplicationsIn this study, we present force myography (FMG) as an objective method for quantifying physical effort. We utilized a noninvasive wearable FMG sensor to capture the radial force exerted by muscles during contractions, and we evaluated the effectiveness of FMG in assessing varying perceived exertion levels. We found a strong correlation between FMG measurements and perceived exertion, which highlights its potential as an indicator of physical effort. Integrating FMG sensors could allow for monitoring of worker exertion, facilitating adjustments to workloads and the design of ergonomic tools and interfaces. Doing so could help identify risks of fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders and provide a valuable metric for refining job design and ergonomics assessments, ultimately contributing to healthier workplaces and enhanced worker productivity.

1. Regardless of its size or sector, a manual labor industry can only sustain its activities and ensure long-term competitiveness by maintaining a balance between two fundamental drivers: its workf...