Ergonomic Study and Design of the Pulpit of a Wire Rod Mill at an Integrated Steel Plant

Chandra P Dewangan,Arun K Singh

doi:10.1155/2015/412921

Chandra P Dewangan, Arun K Singh

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/412921

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Abstract

This paper presents ergonomic study and design of the pulpit in a wire rod mill at an integrated steel plant. The mill was facing problem of less productivity of workers due to lack of proper work posture and working conditions. The study data were collected from the interview of seven operators involved with the pulpit. Relevant ergonomic tools were used for assessing the survey data for identifying the risk factors involved with these operators. Ergonomically improved pulpit was proposed for reducing the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) thereby increasing the productivity of the plant.

Highlights

Ergonomics is the study of workers and their performance at work [1]
Working at an improper workstation may lead to development of different kinds of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) amongst the workers as discussed by Duncan [4]
Chiasson et al (2012), on the other hand, have discussed eight ergonomic tools for evaluating risk factors related with MSDs in a variety of workplace [12]

Summary

Introduction

Ergonomics is the study of workers and their performance at work [1]. In industrial sector, operating different kind of machines is the routine activity performed by the operator. Working at an improper workstation may lead to development of different kinds of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) amongst the workers as discussed by Duncan [4]. Problems such as occupational diseases, repetitive stress injuries, and occupational overexertion syndrome mostly affect arms and back of workers [5, 6]. Ouellet and Vezina (2014) have studied MSDs and their prevention on six workers in a meat processing sector [8] They have recommended the guidelines based on ergonomic concepts for improving the overall performance of the sector [8]. Chiasson et al (2012), on the other hand, have discussed eight ergonomic tools for evaluating risk factors related with MSDs in a variety of workplace [12]

Pillar

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

Conflict of Interests