Physiological, subjective and postural loads in passenger train wagon cleaning using a conventional and redesigned cleaning tool

Methods: In this study, cleaning process was studied and analyzed with special reference to cleaning tools. A group of 13 professional cleaners participated in this study. While they performed their normal tasks, their oxygen consumption, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion and postural data were obtained. The perceived exertion during cleaning task using the ‘‘redesigned cleaning tool’’ was less than that of the ‘‘conventional cleaning tool’’. The oxygen consumption when cleaning with the redesigned tool (mean 0.84 l/m, SD70.17) was significantly less (po0:05) compared to the conventional cleaning tool (mean 0.94 l/m, SD70.18). Heart rate was also found significantly lower using redesigned cleaning tool (mean 101 bpm, SD711.10) compared to that of conventional cleaning tool (mean 105 bpm, SD712.59) (po0:05). Using redesigned cleaning tool the trunk postural load was also found significantly less than that of conventional cleaning tool (po0:05). It is concluded that redesigned cleaning tool allowed cleaners to maintain more upright posture when cleaning, which reduced biomechanical load. Relevance for Industry: There is need to develop ergonomic criteria or recommendation to enable manufacturers of cleaning equipment to specify and evaluate usability qualities when formulating user requirements for new cleaning tools. r 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.