Developing Physiology-based Work-Rest Schedule to Address Fatigue: An Overview

The main purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that affect human physiology of workers while performing the task, and analysis of the approaches made by the few authors with similar interest. While performing tasks for prolonged time and irregular distribution of workload make them feel discomfort and stressed which increases risk of injuries. To reduce the risk of injury to workers performing difficult/ repetitive tasks ergonomists use one of their tools known as work-rest scheduling. To establish a good work and rest schedules errors in the assessment of physical stress involved in the work and during recovery time should be less. Usually the work-rest scheduling models are either completely based on empirical data without application of theoretical model of the underlying human physiology or it will be dependent on abstract optimization modeling techniques that is difficult or impossible to withstand the real scenario. In the current study new work-rest schedule model will be developed. The developed model will adapt the technique of recovery from the work stress during the resting period. This study requires development of time-dependent work stress profiles through the data that will be collected from the subjects performing the given tasks. The recorded stress profile data will then be used in a theoretical model. The developed model will have the ability to generate optimal cycle time to work and rest under varied work conditions. Citation: M. Shilpa, Jagadish Ratkal. "Developing Physiology-based Work-Rest Schedule to Address Fatigue: An Overview." Global Research and Development Journal For Engineering 6.2 (2021): 18 - 21.