Evaluation of Physical Workload Based on Heart Beat Frequency in Furnace Workers

  • Eduardo Orlando Galeazzi Universidade de Passo Fundo - UFP
  • Milena Dal Conte Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
  • Marlon Francys Vidmar Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
  • Camila Pereira Leguisami Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
  • Lisângela Toazza Universidade do Contestado – UNC
  • Fabiano Lopes Chiesa Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Keywords: Human Engineering, Heart Beat Frequency, Workload

Abstract

Labor with repetitions coupled to intense physical efforts is associated with an increase in the number of accidents and discomfort for workers in several industrial sections. Current analysis evaluates the physical workload, based on heart beat frequency, in furnace workers. Samples comprised two furnace workers in the soya-bean drying sector, who signed a Free Consent Term. A description of the premise and activities was undertaken on the work site and an evaluation of physical work load was conducted by measuring heart beat (Polar® S610 with interface of model S610). Rates were stored at 60-sec intervals during the work period. Cardiovascular load was calculated according to methodology by Apud (1989). The workers worked during approximately 10 h a day. Worker A had a rest heart beat frequency (FCR) of 83bpm; maximum heart beat frequency (FCM) of 197bpm, heart beat frequency during work (FCT) of 107bpm, cardiovascular capacity (CCV) of 21.5% and limit heart beat frequency of 129bpm. Worker B had a FCR of 87bpm, FCM of 182bpm, FCT of 103bpm, CCV of 16.84% and FCL of 121bpm. Results show that physical workload based on heart beat frequency did not exceed the maximum limit of 40% and the need of reorganizing rest time during the working period was not required.

Author Biographies

Eduardo Orlando Galeazzi, Universidade de Passo Fundo - UFP
Fisioterapeuta, graduado pela Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF.
Milena Dal Conte, Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Fisioterapeuta, graduado pela Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Marlon Francys Vidmar, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
Fisioterapeuta, Mestrando em Ciências da Reabilitação pela Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA
Camila Pereira Leguisami, Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Fisioterapeuta, Doutora em Ciências da Saúde pelo Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul – IC-FUC; Docente da Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Lisângela Toazza, Universidade do Contestado – UNC
Enfermeira, graduada pela Universidade do Contestado – UnC.
Fabiano Lopes Chiesa, Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF
Fisioterapeuta; Mestre em Bioengenharia pelo Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Universidade do Vale do Paraíba – UNIVAP; Docente da Universidade de Passo Fundo – UPF.
Published
2012-10-22
Section
Relato de Casos