Assessing Physical Fatigue Utilizing Wearable Sensors to Improve Workplace Ergonomics and Safety

Physical fatigue is a major factor in workplace accidents and injuries. This study explores the use of a non-invasive wearable sensor to collect physiological (heart rate, skin temperature) and kinematic (jerk) data for assessing physical fatigue during physically demanding work involving heavy material handling and repetitive movements. By integrating physiological and kinematic data, this method overcomes the limitations of using a single-variable assessment, providing real-time insights to monitor physical fatigue levels to improve workplace safety. Attendees will discover how the method can revolutionise ergonomic practices by proactively preventing accidents, reducing injury risks, and enhancing overall workplace efficiency.

Presenting Speakers

Md Hadisur Rahman (Hadisur) is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) department at West Virginia University (WVU). While most people use extended reality (XR) to escape reality, Hadisur uses it to dive straight into workplace hazards (don’t worry, it’s all virtual). His cutting-edge research combines XR- including VR, AR, and MR- with wearable sensors and machine learning to assess risks, reduce accidents, and make sure no one has a bad day at work (unless you count virtual injuries). He is on a mission to make workplaces safer and prevent accidents, with the help of a little bit of technology and a lot of AI.

When he is not saving the world one virtual hazard at a time, you can find Hadisur on the soccer field, working up a sweat, or planning his next travel adventure across the U.S. Fun fact: while some people can’t decide if they love beaches or hills, Hadisur is 100% a beach guy (sand over slopes, every time). If you’re ever looking for him during a conference break, just head towards the nearest ocean-it’s where he is happiest.