Evaluating the effectiveness of ergonomics application

IJSREM Journal, 2021

Over the past few years, doctors realized that workers who carried heavy loads or maintained body positions with such loads for extended periods developed musculoskeletal problems and work environment hazards. In the long-ago years of research, the connections between specific job tasks and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) with the study of ergonomics have been established. Ergonomics has become a significant contribution to the working environment to achieve or to complete the allotted work on time duration with perfection. This knowledge is necessary since the participation of all workers from the higher end to the lower end with the planning of intervention can create a suitable means of solutions in the industry. Some of the operational problems like repetitive work due to continuous sitting, standing and hazards may create fatigue. Hence, there is a need to find solutions for all these problems. The work gives analyses of ergonomics, hazards and safety techniques are related which develops a new framework to workers and safety is important with an ergonomics improvement of the workplace. The methodology classify and analyze the hazards in relation to physical, electrical and environmental parameters- as reported in the framework At conclusion of the study, the work reports data and insights from one manufacturing industry verifying different section with cases, which is relevant to industries.

To improve and enlightening production ergonomics is a search widespread to numerous organizations in diverse engineering and management zones. At the foundation is an ambition to eradicate hazards for job concerned musculoskeletal disorders, but recent observations on ergonomics have developed the discipline from a merely physiological, anthropometrical, and Psychosocial influential apprehension to an organizational, systems performance discipline. This research recommends that in an organization ergonomics infrastructure is made up of the structural, technical, executive and stakeholder comparative circumstances that allow or obstruct development of ergonomics. These circumstances spotlight on the positioning of diverse employees towards ergonomics concerns in an organization, the relationships between user, workers or employees, scenario, scheme and strategy they use for arguments, and the manipulate that occur from industryparticular culture, insolences and technical incorporation (or elimination) of ergonomics into engineering and production progressions. The information deduced from the research in this paper has been produced together with pertinent theoretical perceptions originated in the literature, into a Tentative Agenda which conducts empirical data assembly intended at planning the ergonomics infrastructure in an organization. Its step-bystep methodical appraisal of circumstances at diverse hierarchical levels in the organization should serve ergonomics experts and managers alike in classifying pathways and obstructions to improve production ergonomics.

Ergonomics emerges as an essential scientific discipline, driving health, safety and increased productivity in work environments. This study aims to examine, based on the contributions of renowned authors, the application of ergonomics in Brazilian workplaces, highlighting its impact on the health and productivity of employees. The methodology adopted is a literature review from various official sources. Research has shown the relevance of physical and cognitive ergonomics in preventing musculoskeletal disorders and promoting well-being at work. It was clear that with the improvement in workers' quality of life, fatigue and stress are avoided, which improves the relationship between employees and employers, increasing productivity. The study shows the importance of applied research to strengthen ergonomic practices in organizations. The future of ergonomics is intrinsically linked to its ability to adapt and respond to new challenges, maintaining the commitment to promoting work environments that prioritize and cultivate human well-being. I.

IntechOpen eBooks, 2023

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) affect body parts, with severity ranging from mild to intense. When MSDs develop in occupational settings, sequel to the physical tasks involved in the performance of work and the condition of the work-environment, they are referred to as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The development and prognosis of any particular MSDs are modified by multiple risk factors, which are physical, individual, and psychosocial, in nature. None of these factors act separately to cause WMSDs, rather, they interact. The goal of ergonomics is to create an ergonomically sound work-environment, with the view to reducing the occurrence of WMSDs. This is premised on adherence to effective workplace ergonomic principles (WEP). By and large, WEP is more effective when done both at the workplace and during the performance of leisure time activities. Often, WEP involves designing the workplace, with consideration for the capabilities and limitations of the workers, thus promoting good musculoskeletal health, and improving performance and productivity. For favorable outcomes, a three-tier hierarchy of controls (Engineering, Administrative, and use of Personal Protective Equipment) is widely accepted as a standard intervention strategy for reducing, eliminating, or controlling workplace hazards. Failure of this strategy will expose workers to WMSDs.

2011

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical workloads for packing tasks in a printing ink manufacturing factory located in northern Taiwan, with an aim to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the workers. The BRIEF checklist and Key Indicator Method (KIM) were used to evaluate and identify the MSD risk factors associated with the ink packing tasks. The data collected include material weights, work posture, work pace, vertical distances, vertical lifting displacement, and lifting frequency. The ink-filling operator averagely filled 2000 1-kg ink cans per day and the ink-packing operator totally lifted 4166 times per day and the average lifting weight was 1.44 kg/lift. The BRIEF analysis results show that both of the operators have high possibility of developing MSDs. The KIM risk scores were evaluated as 40 (median high load) and 50 (high load) for the ink-filling and ink-packing operators, respectively. To reduce MSD risks for this work, a redesign workt...

Work-a Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation, 2012

Work Related Musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) create a significant financial burden to both employer and employee that includes the cost of treatment and lost work time 1. There is a growing demand to implement early identification and effective prevention strategies, aimed at early intervention in employees prior to possible absenteeism due to foreseen sickness or disability. A wide range of conditions may be considered as MSDs, including myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, peripheral entrapment neuropathies (carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome), tenosynovitis, epicondylitis, and others. Several multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres such as RECOUP have developed a comprehensive, systematic and thorough medical examination protocol for WRMSD patients. The aim is to obtain anatomically precise clinical findings as a guide to therapy. These assessment protocols typically includes Questionnaire data, Physical examination protocol, Special Examination tests and Laboratory tests. A methodical medical evaluation protocol produces a patient-specific list of symptoms and coordinated physical findings. Such protocols provide a sounder basis for developing a biomechanical and ergonomic explanation for the WRMSD patient's injuries and for planning and monitoring therapy. Importantly for the WRMSD patient, it also provides a detailed explanation of symptoms that are experienced and a logical plan for alleviating them. MWRSD patients should not be dismissed as having vague or non physiologic complaints without this type of evaluation. Objectives: This paper will discuss methods of identification of ergonomic risk factors among the workers engaged in video display terminal use which is practised at our tertiary level rehabilitation centre.

Improper working environment affects the health status of workers, which in turn affects the work quality. The Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) limits the movement of workers which in turn reduce the efficiency of worker leading to production losses. Ergonomic work environment is necessary to prevent or minimize the occurrence of MSDs. The major target of this research paper was to determine the effect of MSDs in workplace as well as the possible ergonomic changes that could be made within the work environment for minimizing fatigue and enhancing the productivity. A detailed literature review was carried for understanding the impact of ergonomics in work environment. After that, analysis of specified workplaces was done using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (REBA). Following that, ergonomic intervention methods for minimizing the risk were developed. Analysis of data from a case study at C.G Foods Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal was carried out and the results before and after the implementation of ergonomic intervention changes were evaluated. From the analysis, it was concluded that ergonomic intervention changes was able to reduce the repackaging rate from 11.3% to 3.4%, hence, increasing the system availability by approximately 70%.

Ergonomics has gained attention and take into consideration by the workers in the different fields of works recently. It has given a huge impact on the workers comfort which directly affects the work efficiency and productivity. The workers have claimed to suffer from the painful postures and injuries in their workplace. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is the most common problem frequently reported by the workers. This problem occurs due to the lack of knowledge and alertness from the workers to the ergonomic in their surroundings. This paper intends to review the approaches and instruments used by the previous works of the researchers in the evaluation of the ergonomics. The two main assessment methods often used for ergonomic evaluation are Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Popular devices are Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and Microsoft Kinect.

Revista Ciencias de la Salud

Introducción: Los desórdenes músculo-esqueléticos relacionados con el trabajo (DME) son una de las causas más comunes de la ausencia laboral. Las exposiciones en el entorno de trabajo pueden causar o agravar el impacto de estos desórdenes músculo-esqueléticos y la identificación de exposiciones ergonómicas es esencial en la evaluación de riesgos. Es importante evaluar los tres indicadores clave de estas exposiciones (intensidad, frecuencia y duración) para poder estimar el nivel de riesgo para el desarrollo de dme. Objetivo: Este artículo tiene como objetivo proporcionar una visión general de algunos de los métodos de observación que se pueden utilizar para evaluar los riesgos ergonómicos en el lugar de trabajo. Métodos: Este estudio se realizó como una revisión del alcance de la literatura médica y ergonómica y de las páginas web gubernamentales o ciales en Suecia, EE. UU. Y los Países Bajos. Resultados: En total, se identificaron 19 métodos de observación...