Appropriation and Validation of a Quantitative Method for Assessing Material Handlers’ Foot Movements Abstract Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are still a real issue during material handling activities in the workplace. Injuries arise during excessive straining to raise, hold or move objects. Researchers seek to quantify material handlers’ movements under different working constraints, for example limited space for their feet, which can increase awkward postures and be injurious to workers’ musculoskeletal health. The purpose of this activity is to validate a measurement method (Wagner’s method) to quantify and classify foot movements. Researchers will then be able to rely on a valid method to characterize such movements without needing to analyze them by observing videos.These assessments and measurements will make companies and material handlers more aware of the problems caused by restricted room for handlers’ feet in their work, and eventually allow for the initiation of effective ergonomic interventions. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Development, validation and application of a quantitative method to assess material handlers’ foot movements Research Report: R-1134-fr Video Reports and Conferences Assessing material handlers’ foot movements – development and application of a quantitative method Conference: CF-1134 Simplified Articles La danse des manutentionnaires Volume 34, n0 3 Scientific Publications A machine-learning method for classifying and analyzing foot placement: Application to manual material handlingMuller A., Vallée-Marcotte J., Robert-Lachaine X., Hakim Mecheri, Larue C. , Corbeil P., Plamondon A. Source : (2019). Journal of Biomechanics, 97. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109410Difference between experts’ and novices’ footstep patterns during a palletizing taskVallée-Marcotte J., Corbeil P., Denis D. , Robert-Lachaine X., Plamondon A. Source : (2019). PREMUS 2019, the 10th International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: From research to evidence based sustainable interventions and practices, (p. 357).Reliability of an observation protocol for foot motion assessment in a palletizing taskVallée-Marcotte J., Corbeil P., Denis D. , Robert-Lachaine X., Bernard L., Plamondon A. Source : (2019). PREMUS 2019, the 10th International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: From research to evidence based sustainable interventions and practices, (p. 372).Influence of distance, pace, box height and mass on the back loading during manual material handling Robert-Lachaine X., Corbeil P., Muller A., Vallée-Marcotte J., Hakim Mecheri, Denis D. , Plamondon A. Source : (2021). Communication présentée à 21st triennial congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Vancouver, BC.Combined influence of transfer distance, pace, handled mass and box height on back loading and postureRobert-Lachaîne X. , Corbeil P., Muller A., Vallée-Marcotte J., Hakim Mecheri, Denis D. , Plamondon A. Source : (2021). Applied Ergonomics, 93. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103377New taxonomy for assessing manual material handlers’ footstep patternsVallée-Marcotte J., Muller A., Robert-Lachaîne X. , Fecteau V., Denis D. , Plamondon A. , Corbeil P.Source : (2021). Applied Ergonomics, 94. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103424Footstep strategies among novice and expert manual material handlers and their effects on low back loadingsVallée-Marcotte J., Corbeil P., Robert-Lachaîne X. , Muller A., Fecteau V., Denis D. , Plamondon A. Source : (2021). Communication présentée à 21st biennal meeting of the Canadian Society of Biomechanics, Montréal, QC.Influence of working conditions on footstep patterns during manual material handlingMuller A., Robert-Lachaîne X. , Vallée-Marcotte J., Hakim Mecheri, Larue C., Denis D. , Corbeil P., Plamondon A. Source : (2021). Communication présentée à 21st biennal meeting of the Canadian Society of Biomechanics, Montréal, QC.Biomechanical differences in experts’ and novices’ footstep patterns during a palletizing taskVallée-Marcotte J., Robert-Lachaîne X. , Muller A., Denis D. , Plamondon A. , Corbeil P.Source : (2023). Applied Ergonomics, 106, 103380. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103880 Additional Information Type: Project Number: 2017-0050 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2021 Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment Team: André Plamondon (IRSST)Philippe Corbeil (Université Laval)Denys Denis (IRSST)Hakim Mecheri (IRSST)