Ergonomic Risk Analysis Research Articles

Ergonomic risk analysis with the use of ergonomic guides

Ergonomic risk analysis with the use of ergonomic guides

Ergonomic Risk Analysis of Working Postures for a Textile Factory Worker

The textile sector significantly contributes to total employment and exports in our country. At the same time, it has a production structure that is labor-intensive and where most of the work is done manually and repetitively. As a result of shift work and long working hours in textile production, some musculoskeletal disorders occur in employees due to non-ergonomic posture and repetitive movements. Untreated and neglected musculoskeletal disorders cause more serious problems for employees in the long term. In this study, ergonomic risk assessment was conducted using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method for the working postures of textile workers working in the weaving department of a textile factory. Thus, potential risk factors and ergonomic strain levels exposed to employees were determined. As a result of the research, it was determined that the employee was exposed to high risk, and precautions needed to be taken quickly. In addition, some recommendations were made to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and loss of productivity in the business through some precautions.

Ergonomic Risk Analysis of Noise and its Effects on the Health of Operators in the Metal-Mechanical Sector.

The risk of developing an occupational pathology due to exposure to noise can cause occupational clinical symptoms with short, medium or long term health effects. The objective of the study is to identify the dysergonomic magnitude of oscillating acoustic comfort, approximately between 80 and 85 decibels, in MSMEs of the metal-mechanic sector and its effects on workers' exposure. The study population consisted of 1300 workers with a sample of 769 workers. The measurement was performed in different workstations with a sound level meter type 1, ISO 28803:2012 standard. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained to analyze results related to occupational exposure. The sound pressure level was determined in each area of the plant during the different working days. This was done per worker according to their activity and tasks performed. In this way, it was possible to raise discussions about the improvement of the quality of life. The results of the study are satisfactory. Epidemiological surveillance programs (PVE) with an emphasis on audiometry are suggested.

Ergonomic Risk Analysis and Muscle Complaints of Office Workers in the Government Office, Surabaya City.

The work environment of office workers has hazards. One of the hazards is nonergonomic conditions. Nonergonomic conditions increase musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) risk and interfere with work productivity. This research describes ergonomic risk levels and muscle complaints in office workers while working with computers. The population of this research was 32 office workers in one of Surabaya city government offices. Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method to measure ergonomic risk and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) method to measure muscle complaints. Most workers have a high risk of experiencing MSDs. Workers experience muscle complaints in the neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, upper back, and lower back. Intervention is needed in work facilities and office ergonomics socialization to workers.

Analisis Risiko Ergonomi Lingkungan Kerja Fisik pada Karyawan Kantor Menggunakan Metode Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA)

The use of computers is now inseparable from office work completion activities. The place where routine business or commerce takes place is the office. Workers are required to spend nearly all of their time operating the computer while seated in front of the monitor due to the computerized system for office work. Long-term computer use combined with improper posture can result in eye fatigue as well as muscle and back injuries and fatigue. Work stances like sitting, composing, and gazing at a PC screen will influence the state of being of representatives. Employee performance will suffer as a result of poor ergonomic work postures, which will put employees at risk and make them more likely to become exhausted. Based on the rapid office strain assessment method, this study was conducted to determine the ergonomic risk analysis of the physical work environment in the work posture of office employees. The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) analysis method was used in this observational descriptive study. A method for measuring ergonomic risk in the workplace at an office is the ROSA method. Perceptions were made to straightforwardly see the communication between work stances and office offices as office support components in 15 representatives who turned into the examination test. The findings revealed that 10 employees had a level of ergonomic risk that was low, while the remaining 5 employees had a level of ergonomic risk that was moderate. The reason for high ergonomic gamble lies in ergonomic offices that are not as per ergonomic standards and absence of representative mindfulness in making a solid work culture. Modernizing office facilities, spreading awareness of office ergonomics, and requiring employees to stretch are all necessary improvements.
 Keywords: Office Ergonomics, Ergonomic Risk, Rapid Office Strain Assessmentt, Work Posture

Evaluation of employee positions by different ergonomic risk analysis methods in manual harvesting of hazelnuts

In this study, working postures during the manual harvesting of hazelnuts were analyzed with four different ergonomic risk assessment methods, namely REBA, AWBA, OWAS, and RULA, and the differences between them were revealed. The most appropriate method for manual harvesting activities was determined. Hand harvesting of hazelnuts; It consists of three main workstations: shaking the branches by hand, collecting them manually from the branches, and containing them manually from the ground. There are three different ways of sitting in the hand-harvesting of hazelnuts: standing on knees, bending over, or cross-legged. During the manual harvest, the workers' movements at all workstations were observed and recorded with a camera. Images were analyzed using the ErgoFellow 2.0 program. As a result of the analysis, working postures that may cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) were determined. According to the analysis results, shaking the hazelnut by hand and harvesting from the branch by hand were risky compared to the other three analysis methods, except for the Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) method. In manual harvesting from the ground, high-risk scores were obtained in all working postures, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Agricultural Whole-Body Assessment (AWBA), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OWAS methods, and it was determined in the category of urgent action change. Among the ergonomic risk analysis methods, it can be said that AWBA is the analysis method that includes the closest positions of working postures in the manual harvest of hazelnuts.

Ergonomic Risk Analysis on Traditional Weaving Workers on Semau Island Kupang Regency

Musculoskeletal disorder has caused casualty on traditional weaving workers. With manual equipment that uses no electricity, the workers do not apply anthropometry into their daily labor; resulting in working with bent position. Such condition forces the workers to be in a non-ergonomic work position. The research objective was to determine the relationship between work fatigue, workload, and work attitude with musculoskeletal disorders in traditional weaving workers. This research is an analytic descriptive research with a cross sectional study design. The sample in this study was 38 traditional weavers. The results showed that there was a relationship between work fatigue, workload, and work attitude with musculoskeletal disorders in traditional weaving workers on Semau Island, Kupang Regency with p-value <0.05. Workers can be given counseling and pamphlets regarding ergonomic and comfortable work, so as to avoid occupational safety and health problems.

Ergonomics-Related and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in A High-Hazard Factory in Hatay Region

Objectives: The most common work-related diseases are musculoskeletal system disease. This study aims to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in a high-hazard factory and to determine sociodemographic, occupational, and ergonomic risks. Methods: The research is cross-sectional and was conducted in a high-hazard factory, in Hatay, in 2017. The research population was all factory employees (N=190), and it was aimed to reach the whole population. Of the (97.3%), 185 employees participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Scale, the observation-based Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Ergonomic Risk Analysis Scale, and a questionnaire developed by the researchers are used for data collection. In the statistical analyses p<0,05was accepted as significant. Results According to the Cornell Scale, the frequency of WMSDs was 58.9%. The most common WMSDs were in the lumbar region (34.1%). According to the RULA Scale, 31.9% of the employees had 3rd and 4th-degree ergonomic risk. There were linear relationships between the Cornell Waist Score and each of the three RULA scores (p<0.001). The risk factors for WMSDs in the lumbar region were the presence of chronic disease (OR=5.35), hand tool use (OR=2.63), not having had a work accident (OR=0.04) and RULA scores (OR=1.61), Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the high-hazard factory employees had a high ergonomic risk. WMSDs existed in more than half of the employees. As the ergonomic risk increases, WMSDs increase.

3D standard motion time-based ergonomic risk analysis for workplace design in modular construction

As construction workers are frequently exposed to ergonomic risks, accurate ergonomic risk analysis for workplace design is needed in order to mitigate risk and, consequently, improve productivity. Researchers have sought to identify ergonomic risks of continuous motions in 3D visualizations to achieve proactive workplace designs. However, the motion time is subjectively determined by designers, leading to variable risk ratings and making it difficult to make decisions on design alternatives. This paper proposes an automated 3D standard motion time-based ergonomic risk analysis method that systematically determines motion times and accurately quantifies ergonomic risks of continuous motions for workplace design. The ergonomic risk of continuous motion is assessed using existing tools such as REBA and RULA by incorporating standard motion times determined by a predetermined motion time system. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated in a case study of two workplace designs for manual assembly tasks in modular construction.

Computer-Assisted Ergonomic Analysis of Working Postures Causing Strain

The present study aimed to analyze the postures of workers in a workshop type small-scale furniture manufacturing factory considering seven workstations including edge banding station, horizontal circular saw cutting station, circular saw cutting station, borehole station, planning station, thickness adjustment (planning station, and band saw station. It was also intended to determine the points they have difficulty and what extent they have difficulty (i.e. the level of risk), and to bring the workplace conditions in compliance with the workers’ necessities through improvement arrangements about how they can avoid the ergonomic risks and dangers they face. Video recordings and photographs of each process were taken from different angles with cameras. Posture analysis was performed by selecting the movement that is most repetitive, longest, improper and forceful posture. Contrary to the previous studies incorporating estimation-based risk analyses, the present study employs uMED Ergonomics software, which allows analysis by collecting data (i.e. distance and angle) with measurement tools on the image, in analyzing the angles of body parts and clearly revealing the workers’ postures. Ergonomic risk analysis was performed using the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method, as it numerically quantifies the degree of risk which is one of the effective risk assessment methods. It was determined that the posture modifications and some ergonomic improvements significantly reduced the risk level. Accordingly, once the risk levels were determined (high for Station 1, medium for other stations), the risks were reduced to very low for Stations 4 and 7, and low for other stations.

Ergonomic Risk Analysis with Complaints of Musculoscletal Disorders in Red Brick Workers

Disorders that occur in the skeletal muscles that are felt by individuals ranging from mild to very severe complaints, namely Musculoskeletal Disorders. MSDs complaints can be caused by incorrect work position or attitude, exposure to vibrations, repeated heavy lifting of weights, bending, prolonged sitting, geometry of the spinal lumbar canal and others. This study aimed to determine musculoskeletal complaints in red brick new workers and the factors that influence them. This research method uses descriptive analytic research with a cross sectional approach. The research was conducted in February 2021 in Tanah Putih Village, Kupang Regency, with 40 red brick workers. The independent variable of this research was ergonomic risk and the dependent variable is musculoskeletal disorders. The measuring tool used the nordic body map and a questionnaire. The first step was the creation of a questionnaire in the form of a table containing a list of body parts and a dichotomous scale for pain assessment. Data analysis technique used chi square. The results showed that there were three factors causing musculoskeletal disorders and the two factors had no relationship. Years of work, smoking behavior, work attitudes, working hours have a relationship with musculoskeletal disorders, whereas age and workload have no relationship with musculoskeletal disorders. Suggestions in research for new red brick workers must pay attention to and improve their work attitude, so they can avoid musculoskeletal complaints.

SEE: A proactive strategy-centric and deep learning-based ergonomic risk assessment system for risky posture recognition

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are serious workplace injuries that put workers' safety at risk. However, traditional WMSD assessments are based on the human-evaluation strategy (HES), requiring human intervention. Proactive strategy (PAS)-oriented WMSDs assessments collect data using posture data tags and special semi-human–machine equipment to improve efficiency and reduce human efforts to capture specific postures in a real-world setting. Meanwhile, more research on applying artificial intelligence-based pose machines for musculoskeletal risk assessment in various workplaces is needed. Hence, this study proposed a holistic posture acquisition and ergonomic risk analysis model with the PAS-oriented philosophy for developing a smartphone-based and workplace-based risk assessment system for WMSDs. The Convolutional Pose Machines (CPM) method was combined with a rapid entire body assessment method for the system's design. Finally, the smart ergonomic explorer (SEE) system includes three subsystems: an automotive scene capturer, an ergonomic risk level calculator, and a risk assessment reporter. A musculoskeletal risk assessment experiment with 13 poses was also carried out to validate the SEE system and compare its accuracy with manual evaluation. The result shows good agreement with the REBA score, with an average proportion agreement index (P0) of 0.962 and kappa of 0.82. It indicates that the proposed system can not only accurately analyze the working posture, but also accurately evaluate the total REBA scores. This study is hoped to provide practical advice and implications for achieving a more effective empirical response for WMSD assessment.

Ergonomic risk analysis inherent in neonate bathing activity performed by nurses using the REBA methodology through kinect depth sensors

The absence of quantitative parameters to determine the mobility of the body segments required by functional assessment scales such as Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) reduces its reliability by identifying risks based only on postural observation. This work measures the ergonomic risk associated with the neonatal bathing activity performed by nurses, the influence of the introduction of Kinect sensors, and their marker-less skeleton tracking function in conjunction with the postural analysis tool REBA to reduce the inter-observer variability and the subjectivity of the results. Many people without injuries reproduced the sequence of movements of a baby's body wash task, selected as the most critical within the activity. The use of a reference motion capture system, such as photogrammetry, was used to check the validity of Kinect as a measurement instrument and its precision. Variables such as the recording frequency of the sensors, and their location to the participants, influence the detection of body positions. This paper demonstrates the need for improving the nurses’ posture because it is associated with an intermediate level of ergonomic risk and requires intervention.

Ergonomic study on nurses that attend the feeding task to neonates through data Acquisition, Validation, and processing obtained from depth sensors

The present study is focused on nurses that attend neonates, and more in detail on the standing bottle-feeding activity. To measure the ergonomic risk, REBA method analyzes the human body in two parts in order to get a final score that represents the risk level and the required action level in this task. Data will be obtained through the repetition of the task in a controlled and settled space with two different systems, a referenced one that is a photogrammetry laboratory and the other about depth sensors, which will be assessed. Besides setting the risk level of the task, the project assesses the sensor in a functional way and looks for using this experimental method in the future in real time and in real areas that need a quick and reliable ergonomic risk analysis. The results showed that depth sensors can be used as a reliable instrument to determine the risk level and that the feeding task presents a medium risk level which means that an action should be taken.

Fuzzy multi-objective model for assembly line balancing with ergonomic risks consideration

The main motivation behind the improvement of manufacturing systems is that they are competing for a larger share and better image in the market. Many manufacturing systems, particularly those with repetitive products, utilize assembly lines for the final stage of their production systems. Most of the assembly lines still rely on human worker performance since higher flexibility can be attained with manual systems. The performance of manual assembly line systems depends on how ergonomic factors are involved with balancing the lines. Therefore, the main focus of this study is to develop a model to design assembly lines with ergonomic risk consideration. Ergonomic risks are the factors of weight, size, and shape of the components in addition to the posture of the workers performing the tasks with the components. This study also conducts ergonomic risk analysis for assembly tasks using simulation software and incorporates the results into the developed model. There are two conflicting objectives in the problem, thus the required solution model is constructed as multi-objective. Since the objectives of the problem have vagueness, the proposed model is developed adopting fuzzy set theory. The developed fuzzy multi-objective model is implemented in a real-life case problem gathered from a refrigerator company.

Automated postural ergonomic risk assessment using vision-based posture classification

Construction workers are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to physically demanding manual-handling tasks in awkward postures. Although existing observational methods to identify ergonomic risks are inexpensive and easy to use, they are seldom used in construction sites because they are time-consuming, subject to observer bias, and require well-trained analysts. To address these drawbacks, this paper proposes a vision-based method to automatically classify workers' postures for ergonomic assessment. Specifically, it proposes a vision-based method that eliminates the need to collect extensive training-image datasets by employing classification algorithms to learn diverse postures from virtual images, and then identifies those postures in real-world images. The experimental tests showed about 89% classification accuracy in automatically classifying diverse postures on images, confirming the usefulness of virtual training images for posture classification. The proposed method has potential for automated ergonomic risk analysis, and could help to prevent WMSDs during diverse occupational tasks.

3D fuzzy ergonomic analysis for rapid workplace design and modification in construction

Accurate ergonomic risk assessment is a key to effective workplace design and modification in construction. However, conventional ergonomic risk assessment methods are time-consuming, error-prone, require human subjects, and are hindered by inter- and intra-observer reliability issues. This paper proposes an automated proactive 3D fuzzy ergonomic risk analysis method that accurately quantifies ergonomic risks of continuous motions for rapid workplace design and modification, addressing all of the aforementioned limitations. A specialized rule-based fuzzy inference algorithm is integrated with 3D automated posture-based ergonomic risk assessments to better capture the gradual transitions characteristic of continuous human motion without abrupt changes in risk ratings. This method is tested in a repetitive lifting experiment, which proves its improved accuracy and reliability for ergonomic risk assessment. The results of the analysis are expected to facilitate the enhancement of safety performance, production performance, and market competitiveness in industrialized construction.

The Effect of Functional Capacity Related Ergonomic Risk Factors on Quality of Life of People with Physical Disability

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ergonomic risk factors and the problems of functional capacity and their effect on quality of life of people with physical disability. Material and Method: 52 people with physical disability were assessed. Demographical properties, medical and working history have been obtained. Ergonomic risk factors have been analyzed with Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and General Ergonomic Risk Analysis Checklist. Muscles strength, pinch strength, grip strength, lifting strength were measured at J-TECH computerized functional capacity assessment unit. Quality of life was assessed by SF-36 Health Survey. Results have been correlated by Spearman correlation test. Results: 12 women and 40 men included in the study whose average age is 37.15± 9.66. Most of the participants have been found to work at high risk postures and this give rise to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. High risk at work areas has been observed to be related to some parameters of quality of life. When compared with quality of life which is investigated by SF-36 Health Survey, general health status perception is found to be related by many risk factors (p< 0.05). In addition to, general health perception is found to be affected by social function as much as physical function. The importance of pinch strength, grip strength, lifting strength and upper extremity strength in perception of quality of life has been shown. Relationship has been occurred between fine motor function and also lifting and grip strength and general health status perception (p< 0.05). The work of participants including fine motor movements has been found to affect the perception of general health, physical role and energy/ vitality. Conclusion: The results show that projects for increasing productivity and satisfaction of people with physical disability at work should be done and increasing awareness of the employers about functional capacity related ergonomic risk factors is important.

THE ERGONOMIC RISK ANALYSIS WITH REBA METHOD IN PRODUCTION LINE

Ergonomics is a group of multidisciplinary studies that investigate and improve the compatibility of humans with the machine and the environment by examining the physical, environmental and psychological risk factors. The primary purpose of ergonomics is to ensure employee health and safety, and increase work efficiency (such as reduced idle capacity, increased production, increased product quality). Because employing workers in a healthy and safe condition enables an increase in work efficiency. In this study, ergonomic risk analysis was selected on the production line of an enterprise with the REBA method and suggestions for improvement were included. The working cluster consists of 30 unskilled workers on the production line. As a result of the analysis, 66.6% of the production process is at medium risk and 33.4% is at high risk. After the improvement works to be done, it is expected that ergonomic risks would reduce and an increase in production and efficiency.

Ergonomic risk analysis of lecture chairs at the engineering faculty, Hasanuddin University

Uncomfortable college chairs will cause health problems such as low back pain, etc. In addition to health problems will also affect student productivity and enthusiasm for learning. This study will identify the risk of ergonomics from lecture chairs at the Faculty of Engineering UNHAS and also identify and provide recommendations for examples of lecture chairs that should be used. This research will use several ergonomics methods such as REBA and nordic body map. Nordic body maps are used to identify parts of the body that feel pain when sitting in a college chair, while the REBA method is used to identify ergonomic risks when sitting in a college chair. The results of identification using the Nordic Body Map method found that several parts of the student’s body were aching like the neck, back, waist, buttocks. The next research method is the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, the identification results obtained all students get a RULA 7 value which indicates changes in body posture or work facilities as soon as possible. The end of this study is the design of ergonomic lecture chairs in accordance with the wishes of students