Impact of Pneumatic Table ST-3 on the Physical Effort of Upholsterers

Introduction

The work of an upholsterer involves intense physical effort. Traditionally used trestles require frequent bending, which leads to rapid fatigue and increased strain on the body. An alternative is the Pneumatic Table ST-3, which improves ergonomics and reduces effort. To determine the benefits of its use, a comparison of energy consumption, static load, and movement repetition was conducted.

Comparison of Physical Effort – Trestles (without the table) vs. Pneumatic Table ST-3

The study was conducted using an estimation-tabular method according to Lehmann, considering three key aspects:

1. Energy expenditure – amount of energy consumed (in kJ) during an 8-hour shift
2. Static load – muscle tension caused by forced posture
3. Movement repetition – the number and intensity of movements performed

The data is presented in the table below:

Table 1: Comparison of physical effort of an upholsterer with different work methods

Detailed Analysis of Results

• Reduction of energy consumption

During an 8-hour shift, the upholsterer using trestles consumes 4545 kJ of energy, while with the ST-3 table, this value is 3851 kJ, which is 15.3% less. This means that by using the ST-3 table, the employee can perform their duties with less fatigue and greater efficiency.

• Static load – less back pain

The body position of an upholsterer working with trestles requires frequent bending, causing strong muscle tension in the back and neck. The static load score was 60 points, which classifies it as high.

With the ST-3 table, the worker can work in a more ergonomic position, reducing the static load by 33.3% (down to 40 points). In the long term, this means less risk of back pain and spinal injuries.

• Movement repetition – no changes

The number of movements performed during work is similar in both cases. Movement repetition was rated at 20 points, indicating low strain in this regard.

Summary and Conclusions

Based on the conducted analysis, the Pneumatic Table ST-3 significantly improves the working conditions of the upholsterer. Here are the key conclusions:

• Reduces energy consumption by 15.3%, which means less fatigue and greater efficiency.
• Reduces static load by 33.3%, reducing muscle tension and the risk of health problems.
• Movement repetition remains at a similar level, meaning that the change of equipment does not negatively affect the work organization.

The total effort score when working with trestles is 123 points (heavy work), while with the ST-3 table it is 103 points (moderate work), meaning physical effort decreases by 16.2%.

Introducing the Pneumatic Table ST-3 into upholstering workshops can significantly improve work comfort, reduce worker fatigue, and increase efficiency. It is an investment that brings benefits both for employee health and for the productivity of the workshop.