Enhancing Working Posture Comparability in Forest Operations by the Use of Similarity Metrics

Forest operations are well known in exposing their workers to many risk factors, and they often require ergonomic interventions for improvement. In this regard, evaluation of biomechanical exposure has gained a lot interest due the concerning scientific results repeatedly showing association between poor working postures development work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Due its simplicity, easy understanding, cost affordability, capability evaluate whole body, OWAS method been commonly used postural forestry work, being able map experimental observations final action category, form index (PRI), which helps designing or taking actions However, comparability is both relevant important when, instance, one tries improve work introduce new technology. Unfortunately, PRI metric holds rather low characterize changes brought by such factors terms dissimilarity similarity, making it difficult accurately follow changes. For reason, we analysis, test discuss herein two similarity metrics as specific plant sociology other ecology-related sciences, namely Sørensen’s quotient (hereafter QS) Canberra CM); selection was based on mathematical capabilities dealing with data at resolutions, species individuals. Three case studies were setup show differences QS, CM, usefulness analysis while, better described discussed analogy living world. As technology automating collection processing progress, utility assessment comparison could be further expanded so given sequence time domain against best-fit profiles. The main conclusion study that useful action-taking while pairwise change evaluations comparison.