Renewable ergonomics: Developing sustainable work practices in the Canadian onshore wind industry

Limited academic literature exists regarding the ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal disorder risks associated with the daily work tasks of onshore wind turbine technicians. To develop sustainable work practices and work practice tools in the Canadian onshore wind industry, this project will identify, assess, and quantify the ergonomics hazards and musculoskeletal disorder risks associated with three predetermined priority work tasks. The postures and modeled loads of each priority task will be examined in both controlled and real versions of each task using novice and expert participants. From this, the Canadian onshore wind industry can begin to address ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal risks before discomfort leads to pain and develop practices that support on-going active surveillance of ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal risks.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jon Doan

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Renewable Energy Association

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Lethbridge

Program: