Validation (and Training) of Ergonomic Phone Apps

The red meat processing industry continues to face challenges in reducing musculoskeletal injuries, despite improvements in safety performance across some processors such as JBS Southern. Traditional ergonomic assessments rely on highly qualified professionals, who are often not readily available or retained in processing environments. At the same time, new mobile phone applications such as TuMeke have emerged, offering the promise of fast, low-cost ergonomic assessments using AI and video capture. However, these tools have not yet been validated in Australian red meat processing conditions when employees are using them, where factors such as white PPE, busy processing lines, and the need for scalable solutions present significant challenges. There is also concern that over-simplified app outputs may lead to ineffective or inappropriate safety interventions. To address this, JBS Southern will partner with Move4Life, the Australian agent for TuMeke, to conduct a trial assessing the app's accuracy, usability, and practical limitations. The project will test the app across a variety of processing tasks, comparing results with expert assessments and wearable technologies. It will also evaluate which of the app’s underlying ergonomic models are most appropriate, identify optimal video capture protocols, and determine what level of training WHS staff need to use the tool effectively. Special attention will be paid to real-world barriers, such as group task analysis, high-contrast PPE, and crowded working spaces. The project will also define a clear threshold for when expert review or wearable-based assessments should be used instead of the app. This project will also provide data for the wider AMPC project around baseline benchmarking of ergonomics. If successful, this trial will provide valuable foundational information that not only informs the future use of TuMeke at JBS, but also supports other companies in evaluating and selecting alternative ergonomics apps for their own environments. It will help build industry confidence in mobile technology as a practical WHS tool, while ensuring its application is guided by evidence rather than marketing claims. The outcomes will contribute to ongoing improvements in workplace safety and support broader adoption of innovative, accessible assessment methods across the red meat sector. Importantly, the app is not intended to replace professional ergonomists but to act as a practical aid that complements their expertise, enabling faster, data-driven decision-maFRP101156king in-house.