Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots

This study aims to analyse the ergonomic risks faced by drone pilots, focusing on postural chal-lenges during flight operations. The research investigates how these postures may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and proposes corrective measures to mitigate these risks. The study utilized the R...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Rodríguez Elizalde, Rubén
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
Repositorio:O2, repositorio institucional de la UOC
OAI Identifier:oai:openaccess.uoc.edu:10609/153821
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10609/153821
http://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i2.5704
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:awkward postures
drone
ergonomics
musculoskeletal disorder
RPAS
RULA method
UAS
id ES_2c09320ae9bb1d693118d985ecdd21bf
oai_identifier_str oai:openaccess.uoc.edu:10609/153821
network_acronym_str ES
network_name_str España
repository_id_str
spelling Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilotsRodríguez Elizalde, Rubénawkward posturesdroneergonomicsmusculoskeletal disorderRPASRULA methodUASThis study aims to analyse the ergonomic risks faced by drone pilots, focusing on postural chal-lenges during flight operations. The research investigates how these postures may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and proposes corrective measures to mitigate these risks. The study utilized the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methodology to evaluate the postures adopted by drone pilots during real flight operations. Observations were conducted across multiple work cycles involving two drone pilots operating in different environments. Angular measurements of various body segments were captured and analysed to determine ergonomic risk levels. The analysis identified five key postures that posed varying levels of ergonomic risk. Three postures were found to require possible adjustments, while two required task redesign due to significant musculoskeletal strain. Key risk factors included prolonged wrist extension, neck flexion, and static load caused by the control console's design and the pilot’s need to maintain visual contact with the drone. The study concludes that ergonomic risks for drone pilots are significant and require proactive interventions. Recommendations include adopting improved console designs, incor-porating harness support systems, modifying operational protocols to improve body positioning, and utilizing alternative equipment like larger display screens to reduce neck strain. The findings offer actionable insights for drone operators, ergonomics specialists, and employers to implement ergonomic improvements in drone piloting tasks. These changes aim to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, improve working conditions, and enhance overall safety in drone operations.Innovative Research Publishing202520252025info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/10609/153821http://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i2.5704reponame:O2, repositorio institucional de la UOCinstname:Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)InglésInternational Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 2025, 8(2)https://www.ijirss.com/index.php/ijirss/article/view/5704CC BYhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:openaccess.uoc.edu:10609/1538212026-05-28T12:42:01Z
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
title Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
spellingShingle Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
Rodríguez Elizalde, Rubén
awkward postures
drone
ergonomics
musculoskeletal disorder
RPAS
RULA method
UAS
title_short Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
title_full Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
title_fullStr Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
title_full_unstemmed Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
title_sort Ergonomic risk analysis for drone pilots
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Rodríguez Elizalde, Rubén
author Rodríguez Elizalde, Rubén
author_facet Rodríguez Elizalde, Rubén
author_role author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv awkward postures
drone
ergonomics
musculoskeletal disorder
RPAS
RULA method
UAS
topic awkward postures
drone
ergonomics
musculoskeletal disorder
RPAS
RULA method
UAS
description This study aims to analyse the ergonomic risks faced by drone pilots, focusing on postural chal-lenges during flight operations. The research investigates how these postures may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and proposes corrective measures to mitigate these risks. The study utilized the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methodology to evaluate the postures adopted by drone pilots during real flight operations. Observations were conducted across multiple work cycles involving two drone pilots operating in different environments. Angular measurements of various body segments were captured and analysed to determine ergonomic risk levels. The analysis identified five key postures that posed varying levels of ergonomic risk. Three postures were found to require possible adjustments, while two required task redesign due to significant musculoskeletal strain. Key risk factors included prolonged wrist extension, neck flexion, and static load caused by the control console's design and the pilot’s need to maintain visual contact with the drone. The study concludes that ergonomic risks for drone pilots are significant and require proactive interventions. Recommendations include adopting improved console designs, incor-porating harness support systems, modifying operational protocols to improve body positioning, and utilizing alternative equipment like larger display screens to reduce neck strain. The findings offer actionable insights for drone operators, ergonomics specialists, and employers to implement ergonomic improvements in drone piloting tasks. These changes aim to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, improve working conditions, and enhance overall safety in drone operations.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025
2025
2025
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv https://hdl.handle.net/10609/153821
http://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i2.5704
url https://hdl.handle.net/10609/153821
http://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i2.5704
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv Inglés
language_invalid_str_mv Inglés
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 2025, 8(2)
https://www.ijirss.com/index.php/ijirss/article/view/5704
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv CC BY
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv CC BY
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Innovative Research Publishing
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Innovative Research Publishing
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:O2, repositorio institucional de la UOC
instname:Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
instname_str Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
reponame_str O2, repositorio institucional de la UOC
collection O2, repositorio institucional de la UOC
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
_version_ 1869405201604018176
score 15,812429

Similares en LA Referencia