Motion Capture for Job Risk Classifications Incorporating Dynamic Aspects of Work

Lower Back Disorders account for 16–19% of work related claims and 33–41% of dollars paid in workers’ compensation (1), with impacts to society approaching $100 billion dollars annually. This study examined the use of optical motion capture to analyze the data from two- and three-plane lifting tasks in relation to the Marras et al. model (2) and compared results with other commonly used assessment techniques that rely on a static posture assumption. Results of a test of 36 subjects suggest that motion capture may be a suitable alternative to the lumbar motion monitor for gathering the necessary data for some ergonomic assessments that include the dynamic aspects of tasks.