Work facility design for VCO operator using integrated quality function deployment and Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The Musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) is skeletal muscle disorders that lead to damage in nerves, muscles, joints and cartilages. The damage is caused by muscle tension and degeneration. From the preliminary research in virgin coconut oil (VCO) processing industry, Central Java, Indonesia, there are potential risk of MSDs for workers. The majority of operators complaining on the right thigh (score 37) and left thigh (score 35). In addition, 50% of operators is work with moderate risk (rapid entire body assessment scores 4-7) and 50% others at a high risk level (rapid entire body assessment scores 8-10). Therefore, improvement is needed to prevent MSDs through work facility design using an integrated quality function deployment (QFD) method. In QFD, there is a concept screening phase to select some product design concept. To determine the priority, the QFD method can be integrated with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The research shows that attributes of work facility needed by user are ergonomic, portable, durable and aesthetic. Concept design B have the highest priority score 0,32 and selected as the final work facility design. The technical specification are made from mahogany wood with an attractive design, red colour combination and developed based on user's anthropometry data.