Lumbosacral bending moment assessment and parameter optimization using Taguchi design during lifting task in a steel rolling mill

This paper reports on the investigation of the effect of lifting parameters on lumbosacral bending moment during lifting task. The experimental study has been conducted under varying load weights, horizontal location of load from L5/S1 and lifting technique (stoop, squat and using lifting device). The design of experiments approach using Taguchi´s orthogonal array was used. The level of importance of the parameters on bending moment at L5/S1 has been determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the study reduction in bending moment at L5/S1 has been observed after utilizing lifting device.