Semi-immersive Virtual Environment to Evaluate Working Conditions in Logistic Tasks Using NIOSH Method

The logistics industry involves various processes in the warehouse work environment on a daily basis, such as handling, storage, and packing. Therefore, workers are often engaged in manual activities such as pushing, pulling and lifting loads. These types of movements are repetitive and, together with adverse physical factors of the environment, they affect employees’ health condition. The aim of this study is to test a proactive evaluation approach exploiting the potential of a professional virtual wall to simulate specific tasks performed in a warehouse to find the better solution in terms of working condition and productivity. The proposed framework includes the following steps: at first, it is required to design the virtual environment by means of 3D modelling tools; afterwards, simulation tests are performed by objectively assessing the physical working condition of the operator; finally, the valuable information are provided to improve the design of the workstation, based on the operator’s ergonomics. The framework is modular and can be scaled to complex industrial environments.