Track: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Abstract
Snow shoveling can cause ergonomic risks to the back and shoulders and result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The design of snow shovels should make snow removal easier and less strenuous. This study utilizes Digital Human Modeling (DHM) to assess the ergonomic risks associated with the snow shoveling process. Several designs for the shovels were created using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Statistical analysis was used to study the different factors associated with the shoveling process such as shovel design, gender, and body mass index (BMI). The results provide recommendations for avoiding ergonomic risks and selecting the proper snow shovels.