Researcher: Marie Bellemare (U. Laval) 

How should action be taken, right from the design stage, to develop work situations that respect workers' health while meeting production criteria? This document describes a study of the use of simulation techniques as a method to transform two driver's cabs in industrial vehicles in the metallurgy industry: an overhead crane and a crucible transporter. The purposes of the changes were to improve visibility and reduce musculoskeletal constraints. Close to 10 techniques were used to enhance, test and evaluate the proposed cab concepts, such as simulations with actual size and computer mock-ups. The analysis revealed the contributions of each of these concepts to the technical and social design process. The process, carried out in collaboration with designers and users, made it possible to develop and validate the design specifications of a new overhead crane cab and for reorganizing a crucible transporter cab.

Research report

Format PDF