Construction of an Expert System for Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders for VDT Users

ABSTRACT: Work-related injuries, especially musculoskeletal disorders create big problems in workstations where employees use computers commonly. Using computers for long durations and in repetitive manner will lead to health problems that are very costly and productivity will be reduced dramatically. Expert systems (ES) can be the solution for dealing with these problems. This thesis aims to design a rule-based expert system that could be used to analyze and evaluate the working conditions of computer users by ergonomics standards. The knowledge base of this expert system will be acquired from OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and Washington state ergonomic standards. CLIPS (C Language Integrated Production System) is used to construct this ES. In this research, risk factors which lead to formation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) were identified, to draw heuristically solutions to musculoskeletal discomfort problems, notify the computer user about the existence of WRMSDs hazards in the workplace, and to help the computer user to avoid WRMSDs risk factors. Thus, the significance of this study is to help the organizations to overcome costly damages and productivity-reduction. Keywords: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, WRMSD, Ergonomic Expert System, CLIPS, MSD risk factors. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………