An ergonomics approach model to prevention of occupational musculoskeletal injuries (original) (raw)
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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.
Reduction of Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Through Manual Lifting Hoist at XYZ Manufacturing
Ergonomics is the application of specific principles, methods and data drawn from a variety of disciplines to the development of engineering systems in which people play significant role. The researcher focused on how to avoid awkward postures made by the workers who transport raw materials from the receiving area to the classifying area. The goal of this study is to reduce the level of risks that might affect to the Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) of the workers. Therefore, the researcher apply the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS). Ergonomically designed lifting hoist will be suited for all the workers who experience of physical risk factors during performing their tasks. Through the proposed manual lifting hoist, the productivity of classifying raw materials increase because transport workers do not need to help in lifting process and all the delay occurs in lifting process are minimized. Using these ergonomic tools the researcher collected the output data of the ergonomic designed hoist. The assessments of RULA, REBA, and OWAS indices the scores of 4, 2, and 1 respectively, further proved that the proposed ergonomic lifting hoist reduce the risk of the workers from lifting and transportation.
Vedecké práce Materiálovotechnologickej fakulty Slovenskej technickej univerzity v Bratislave so sídlom v Trnave, 2016
The main aim of the article is to present the results from the research project which was focused on the minimisation of ergonomic risk to the musculoskeletal system. The research was conducted in a company whose core business includes the production; converting and sales of packaging materials. The first section of the article is focused on the theoretical basis of software support in ergonomics. In the second section, the authors' deal with analysis of the current situation in the selected workplace (production of printing forms for rotogravure and flexoprinting) by anthropometric measurements and research conducted in the form of a questionnaire survey. The third part is focused on the presentation of the newly created simulation model in the virtual environment of Tecnomatix Jack software. The final section of the article describes the proposed solutions (organisational and technical).
Advances in Physical Ergonomics & Human Factors, 2018
Rising healthcare and workers’ compensation costs due to an increase in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have made Occupational Ergonomics the focus of most organizations nationwide. These organizations are required to ensure worker safety by reducing or eliminating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) while complying with applicable occupational safety and health regulations. MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome often lead to intractable pain, repeated surgery, employee time off, low productivity, and, ultimately, higher costs for the employer. Work activities such as; loading and unloading, lifting, reaching, and workplace design factors; such as wrong work surfaces height, uncomfortable chairs and tables, and poorly designed tools; all contribute to an increased risk of MSDs. A case study on ergonomic issues was conducted to evaluate the behaviors and ergonomic injury complaints of workers from various work activities. The goal of the study was to highlight other critical aspects of occupational ergonomics, less considered by employers and workers in the manufacturing industry that could result in WMSDs. The findings revealed that employers tend to ignore some critical aspects of the job that may have high impacts on worker safety and performance. Several recommendations for improvement were offered, including improvement in the contents of the workers’ training packages, job process redesign and analysis, and involvement of ergonomics experts in the training of new employees. Feedbacks confirmed an improvement in WMSDs experience by the workers after the suggested recommendations were implemented.
International Journal of Contemporary Applied Researches, 2019
Kape at Kakaong Batangas is a small scale firm that caters coffee-bean roasting to the coffee farmers in Lipa City. The company still employs the conventional process especially in material handling. The process manifests the kinematics of the body while handling loads which requires lifting and carrying sacks of coffee beans while climbing the ladder to reach the huller. This process poses exposure to risk factors that could result to low-back pains which is a type of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD). The purpose of this study is to design and develop an ergonomic intervention that will provide ease and efficiency to the workers particularly in the roasting section. Anthropometric measurements of 100 males were obtained which served as bases for the design of prototype. Ergonomic assessment tools were used such as NIOSH Lifting Equation, Quick Exposure Check (QEC), Manual handling Assessment Chart (MAC), Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA) and Tile, individual, Load and Environment (TILE) assessment. The operations in the roasting section were assessed to ascertain the risk factors present and the level of exposure of the workers. The results of the assessments revealed that there is moderate to very high exposure to risk which is evident in manual material handling. After the assessment, necessary ergonomic intervention was formulated. A screw conveyor was designed and developed as an engineering controlthat aids to eliminate the team-lifting and manual material handling resulting to a very low risk exposure among the workers in the hulling section.
Ergonomic intervention to reduce musculoskeletal disorders among flour factory workers
Work, 2020
BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational health hazards. In the flour production industry, the fast pace of work, high frequency of repetitive movements, manual handling of loads, and awkward postures put a lot of pressure on the worker's body. OBJECTIVE: Given the high exposure of the workers of the flour production industry to ergonomic risk factors, this study aimed to reduce the rate of musculoskeletal disorders among a group of flour factory workers through ergonomic interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This interventional study was performed using the census method on the eligible workers of a flour factory. An ergonomic intervention program was planned and implemented with the goal of reducing musculoskeletal disorders. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by measuring the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders before and six months after the interventions. RESULTS: Before the intervention, musculoskeletal disorders were most prevalent in the lower back, arms, shoulders, legs, thighs, knees, neck and wrists, respectively. Evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders after the intervention showed the positive effect of the ergonomic intervention program on musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders, lower back, thighs, knees, and legs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Engineering and management interventions implemented in this study led to a significant reduction in the level of ergonomic risk factors and a reduced rate of musculoskeletal disorders among workers of different units in the flour factory.
Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Industri, 2018
CV Valasindo is furniture industry that produces a wide range of wood product. The production process in CV. Valasindo is devided in two areas, preparation of materials area and production area. This research is focused on work posture of the production area's workers. The production area itself consists of work stationssuch as assembly, construction and finishing. The production area was chosen because on the production process in this area is still done manually by the operator. Additionally, on the production area is also still present a series of no ergonomic work posture, both on the work station construction, assembly and finishing. The purpose of this research is to identify a work posture on the production area and doing an improvement to lowers the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Based on the results of the assessment work posture against 18 work stations at the production area, the seat assembly work station it is known that has the highest risk of musculoskeletal injuries with a score of QEC 67. 9%, REBA 9, OWAS 3 as well as score NBM 75. Based on work by posture assessment method of QEC, REBA, OWAS and reinforced with method NBM then the improvement will be focused on work station assembly seat. In this study, the improvements done by designing a working facility in the form of tables and chairs work. Based on the results of the design work facilities have been simulated and the result is the risk of musculoskeletal injuries that used to be high risk decrease to be low risk.
The most frequent and expensive cause category of compensable loss is manual material handling (MMH). Casting workers who handle oxygen (O2) cylinders manually are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The aim of this study was to assess manual handling of O2 cylinders by casting workers and to implement ergonomic intervention to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This interventional study was conducted on 30 male workers of casting unit in a steel industry. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of MSDs in workers. Snook tables and its software were used to assess manual handling risk of O2 cylinders. Manual handling of O2 cylinders was totally excluded using the box with 16 cylinders that can be moved by crane. The most common MSDs in 1 year prior to the study were low back pain (43%), shoulders (33%), and hand/wrist and knee disorders (16%), respectively. The Snook tables' results indicated that 86% of lifting/lowering, 100% of carrying, and 50% of pulling tasks were appropriate for <10% of casting workers. About 94% of O2 cylinders pushing were appropriate for 17% casting workers. With the implementation of ergonomic intervention, the risk of WMSDs and explosion of cylinders was decreased, and safety of workers was improved.
Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Working Postures in Small Scale Indusries.pdf
Grenze International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Special Issue, 2018
Abstract—Ergonomics is the study of the interaction between people and machines and the factors that affect the interaction. A number of factors play a significant role in ergonomics, and these factors determine the health, safety, comfort and efficient performance at workplace. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most common problems in manual work in small scale industries. The study presents assessment of working postures of workers from different small scale industries engaged in different activities. About 140 workers from 4 industries namely stone cutting & polishing, saw mills, brick making and dal mill are selected randomly. The study includes administering a musculoskeletal questionnaire to determine the level of MSDs among the workers. The workers are subjected to awkward postures like bending, twisting, heavy load carrying, etc. Evaluation of these postures was carried out using ergonomic assessment tools Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). It can be concluded from the study that 32% of the postures adopted by workers are in high risk according to RULA and 36% are in high risk according to REBA assessment tools and need to be changed urgently. It is recommended to improve the working postures by ergonomic controls and interventions, and encourage the use of PPEs in order to improve the efficiency of the workers and overall productivity. Index Terms— Ergonomics, Postures, RULA, REBA, work-related musculoskeletal disorders.