A method for computerized three-dimensional analysis of biomechanical load on a seated tractor driver

This paper describes a method for analysis of static biomechanical load where optoelectronic measurement data are used as input to an available analysis program. The measurement procedure is standardized and the transfer of data from the optoelectronic measurements to the biomechanical model is computerized, which increases the accuracy and makes it possible also to analyse measurements of time series within a reasonable time. The primary application of the method was to analyse the biomechanical load of an agricultural tractor driver when manoeuvring the controls inside the cab, and some results from such analyses are also presented in this paper. The described method seems to be a very useful tool for this type of study, indicating critical working tasks and unfavourable technical solutions. The method is very general and is also useful when studying other sitting and standing working postures, both outdoors and in the lab. However, since the method is based on calculation of static load, it is mainly suited for analyses of static working tasks or tasks including only slow movements.