Ergonomic Process Research Articles

Processed Seafood Determination for Fishermen Prosperity Using Macro Ergonomic and Analytical Hierarchy Process

The high rate of stunting in children in East Java Province is a problem that has become a major focus in the national scope. Based on these problems, the researcher intends to increase the intake of animal protein from fish for fishermen’s families, by prioritizing fish processing in coastal areas of East Java and providing education and knowledge for fishermen in fish processing methods in coastal areas of East Java Province. An analysis was carried out using the macro ergonomic and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to determine the priority of processed food from fish ingredients to reduce stunting rates. The criteria in this analysis are Community Preferences, Community Knowledge, Ergonomic process, Commodity Production, and Fish Processing Tools. The results of the analysis found that priority choices in percentage include Fish Nuggets, Fish Sticks, Fish Meatballs, and Fish Crackers. The final result of this study was the priority of processed fish food ingredients to reduce stunting rates in children in coastal areas of East Java Province. With these results, it can help SMEs and coastal communities to process fish food ingredients with the aim of developing communities and coastal areas and increasing fishermen’s family interest in consuming processed fish ingredients to reduce stunting.

Use of Ergonomics and Analytical Hierarchy Process Model for Selection of Cities of Small Medium Enterprises

Fish Smoking is a traditional method that has long been used in fisheries. The use of fish smoking devices can have a negative impact on human health which results in the entry of smoke into the eyes, lungs, and skin. In order not to be harmful to human health, ergonomic and healthy fish smoking devices are used. This study analyzes the prioritization of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) groups in the use of fish smoking devices to reduce the risk of health problems. The approach method used in this analysis uses the Ergonomics and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to determine the priorities of SMEs groups in the use of fish smoking devices. The criteria in this analysis are Ergonomics (Safe, Comfortable, Healthy), Health, Education Level, Community Participation, Motivation, Habits, and Resistance. The results of the analysis found that priority choices in percentage include E, A, B, D, and C regencies. It is hoped that with the holding of Diffusion Technology Results of Innovation Products (DTHPI), the use of modern fish smoking devices that are more ergonomic, healthy, and practical can help improve the welfare of SMEs.

Design Of a Dry Coffee Bean Shell Separation Machine Model To Increase Productivity

The research objective of designing a coffee bean skin separator model is to increase work productivity in the ergonomic dry coffee bean skin separation process. The way this dry coffee peel separator machine works is that the steel plates will rotate each other at certain gaps so that they can rub the coffee until it peels off. The design of this dry coffee bean peeling machine is adjusted to the results of anthropometric data measurements. In the previous coffee skin splitting process using an old-fashioned coffee peeler machine where the coffee beans were put in the inlet without sorting the coffee sizes, all coffee sizes were put in to be processed in the machine. Then the peeling plate gap is adjusted and the medium size is selected. As a result of stripping, it was obtained that almost 50% of the coffee beans had not been peeled off, and had to be put back in again. Besides that, the results of the stripping were still mixed with the dirt skin, so it needed to be processed again to clean the coffee. The results of testing the performance of the old model of the peeler with the new model of the improved peeler obtained an increase in performance or an increase in productivity. Increased work capacity of the dry coffee peeler (Kp) = (153.84 -17.24) / 17.24 = 176.88%, while the increase in the quality of well-exfoliated coffee beans (Kw) is = (90.74 – 85 .41)/85.41 = 6.24% thereby increasing productivity.

Integration of a Data-Driven Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for Productivity Enhancement in Manual Assembly Process Planning

In the dynamic landscape of the automotive industry, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are confronting the challenges of manufacturing planning in the face of demand for customized vehicles, competitive pressure, shorter production cycles, and complex product designs. This paper introduces a novel methodology that leverages a multi-criteria decision support system, incorporating data from past vehicle projects to support the planning phase of new projects. Utilizing a Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) method, this approach evaluates systems in manual vehicle assembly processes based on criteria such as value creation, ergonomics, and rework in the environment of the vehicle manufacturer’s product portfolio. The paper discusses the significance of product knowledge and data-driven insights in making transparent, justifiable decisions and outlines the use of existing process and workplace design data as a decision-making foundation. A detailed examination of manual assembly process planning categorizes procedures based on component type, emphasizing the dependency on existing work plans and the utility of process modeling languages and ergonomic risk assessment data. By applying a multi-criteria evaluation per system, the paper offers a novel perspective on utilizing historical and existing project data to support early-phase planning decisions, thereby elevating these decisions to a data-based level. This research was applied to a case study at a German automotive OEM, identifying best-practice concepts for manual assembly process planning. The results, visualized through a heatmap, facilitate comparisons across vehicle models at specific system levels, providing planners with actionable insights into optimizing productivity in manual assembly processes. The findings underscore the potential of this methodology to guide planners in selecting or avoiding specific product or process concepts based on productivity considerations, thus contributing to more efficient and ergonomic manual assembly process planning in the automotive industry.

Safer and efficient assemblies: Harnessing real time worker movements with digital twins

This paper addresses a critical gap in digital twin simulation within manufacturing environments by focusing on the dynamic representation of worker movements during assembly processes. We introduce an innovative approach that utilises Ultra-Wideband (UWB) sensors to incorporate worker trajectory data into Siemens Process Simulate software, enabling the creation of a digital twin of assembly line operations. Our methodology involves comprehensive data collection using UWB sensors, followed by pre-processing steps such as data cleaning, interpolation, and classification of points into dwell and transit locations. Within the framework of Process Simulate, we develop the assembly process digital twin, integrating simulations of tricycle assembly alongside dynamic worker path and movement simulations. Our digital twin facilitates ergonomic analysis, process optimisation, and worker interaction analysis, offering insights for enhancing factory efficiency and safety. Notably, through visualisation of worker paths and identification of bottlenecks, our digital twin enables optimisation of resource allocation. Quantitative results demonstrate significant improvements, such as a reduction in the time of completion of six products by 11% compared to Discrete Event Simulation under similar process conditions. This study highlights the transformative potential of digital twin technology in manufacturing, providing a robust framework for simulating and optimising worker movements within real-world factory environments.

Ergonomic risk management process for safety and health at work.

The paper aims to provide the main principles and practical aspects of the model, to present the process of identifying, determining the level, as well as assessing and managing occupational and ergonomic risks. To conduct the research, as well as to identify the influence of various dangerous factors related to the working posture, pace, rhythm of work performance, equipment and individual characteristics of the employee's health condition, methods of complex analysis and synthesis, formal and dialectical logic are used to study the essence of the concept of occupational and ergonomic risks. Additionally, induction and deduction methods are used to examine the cause-and-effect relationships between dangers, dangerous factors, dangerous event, and the severity of consequences to determine the level of occupational and ergonomic risks based on the improved bow-tie model. The proposed approach effectiveness is tested based on the assessment of occupational and ergonomic risks of forest workers (loggers) with the participation of five experts to identify dangerous factors and develop precautionary measures. An algorithm for managing occupational and ergonomic risks has been developed, consisting of eleven steps, which can be divided into three steps: preparatory, main and documented. It has been determined that occupational and ergonomic risk is the probability of a dangerous event occurring due to employee's physical overload and its impact on the severity of damage to the employee's physical health. The level of occupational and ergonomic risk management is determined taking into account the probability (frequency), intensity and duration of physical overload, as well as the employee's adaptation index to physical overload and his/her health index. The novelty is the substantiation of the principles of occupational and ergonomic risk management, which are based on the bow-tie model and predict the impact on the probability and severity of consequences of a dangerous event, taking into account dangerous factors. Forms for drawing up occupational and ergonomic risk maps have been developed, in which it is necessary to consider interaction of occupational hazards and occupational-ergonomic risk - physical overload.

Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Thin-Film-Based Array of Microelectrodes for Corneal Electrical Stimulation.

The electric stimulation (ES) of the cornea is a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of degenerative visual diseases. Currently, ES is delivered by placing a mono-element electrode on the surface of the cornea that uniformly stimulates the eye along the electrode site. It has been reported that a certain degree of correlation exists between the location of the stimulated retinal area and the position of the electrode. Therefore, in this study, we present the development of a sectioned surface electrode for selective electric stimulation of the human cornea. The proposed device consists of 16 independent microelectrodes, a reference electrode, and 18 contact pads. The microelectrodes have a size of 200 µm × 200 µm, are arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix, and cover a total stimulation area of 16 mm2. The proposed fabrication process, based on surface micromachining technology and flexible electronics, uses only three materials: polyimide, aluminum, and titanium, which allow us to obtain a simplified, ergonomic, and reproducible fabrication process. The fabricated prototype was validated to laboratory level by electrical and electrochemical tests, showing a relatively high electrical conductivity and average impedance from 712 kΩ to 1.4 MΩ at the clinically relevant frequency range (from 11 Hz to 30 Hz). Additionally, the biocompatibility of the electrode prototype was demonstrated by performing in vivo tests and by analyzing the polyimide films using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting electrode prototype is robust, mechanically flexible, and biocompatible, with a high potential to be used for selective ES of the cornea.

Applying ergonomics for beyond the earth: Integrating participatory ergonomic design for sending a human to space.

The aviation industry is a complex socio-technical system that has various parts which can be optimized by human factors and ergonomics. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the collaborative ergonomic design process for an astronaut workstation within a small spaceship. Having defined the project goals and other quantitative information such as anthropometric dimensions, the Catia software was then used for 3D modeling. Following the initial modeling, the RULA method was used to conduct the initial ergonomic analysis. Following the creation of a simple product prototype, other ergonomic analyses such as mental workload, perceived physical exertion, and usability were carried out. The results of the preliminary ergonomic analysis indicated that the RULA score was acceptable (the final scores were 2 and 3 for the nearest and the farthest controls). Furthermore, the secondary ergonomic analyses were all satisfactory. The mental workload, SUS, and Borg scores for Bedford were, respectively, 2.2, 85.1, and 11.4. The proposed product initially received an acceptable ergonomic store; nevertheless, in order to continue producing this product, ergonomic concerns must be taken into consideration.

Using stakeholder intervention refinement teams to develop approaches for real-time integration of patient-reported safety information during older adults’ hospital-to-home-health care transitions

Background The hospital-to-home transition remains a high-risk care interval for older adults. Skilled home health (HH) agencies are uniquely positioned to address care-transitions-associated patient safety threats. We previously developed the Hospital-to-Home-Health Transition Quality (H3TQ) Index to identify safety issues after hospital discharge. Our objective is to evaluate a participatory ergonomics process engaging stakeholders to develop strategies to implement the H3TQ into HH agency workflow to improve transition-associated safety issues in real-time. Methods Stakeholders participated in three, two-hour Intervention Refinement Team (IRT) meetings with a focus on: (1) identifying facilitators and barriers to collect H3TQ data in real-time, (2) integration of H3TQ into workflows, and (3) sharing H3TQ safety threat information to improve care transition safety outcomes. We used the human factors engineering-informed Systems Ambiguity Framework to guide the structure of IRT meetings and qualitative data analysis to evaluate the IRT process itself. Results Stakeholders (N = 9) represented patients, family caregivers, and HH staff. Stakeholders identified three key strategies for H3TQ implementation: (1) mechanism and timing of H3TQ data collection using multiple platforms; (2) data sharing conditions for safety reporting across the health system; and (3) identification of targeted care transitions outcomes for improvement. Participants highly rated IRT meetings regarding meeting usefulness, comfort, and degree of input into the discussion. Conclusions The IRT participatory ergonomics process was successful. Stakeholders identified strategies to facilitate implementation of the H3TQ implementation to improve the hospital-to-HH. IRTs have potential application to other health system issues related to the care of people with complex needs.

An Ergonomic Design Process of the Functional Clothing for Yoga Sports

Abstract Reports attribute many physical, psychological and mental benefits to yoga sports. However, when it comes to actual research, yoga clothing has not attracted the same level of attention. The aim of this study, which involved a questionnaire survey, clothing development and clothing performance evaluation, is to propose an ergonomic design process for the design of yoga functional clothing. Results showed that textile material was rated as the most important factor for yoga clothing. The shoulder and the waist-belly regions were considered as the most important areas for yoga clothing. The newly designed clothing prototype was observed to subject significantly lower pressure to the waist under the forward bending pose (p<0.05), but with significantly higher pressure on the buttocks at the posture of the deep knee bending pose (p<0.05). It also resulted in a lower change rate of clothing vertical displacement, especially at the shoulder and waist regions. The newly designed prototype was rated with a significantly lower tightening sensation and pulling sensation during the deep knee bending posture (p<0.05). Results indicate that proper design of yoga clothing structure and selection of fabric material could reduce clothing deformation, pressure on the skin and improve subjective wearing sensations.

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PRACTICES IN ACADEMIA: FACTORS, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIES

This mixed-method research sought to identify the factors, challenges and strategies that enable and strengthen collaborative research practice in academia. Participants of the study are purposively chosen, self-selected faculty and students from an external campus and a unit in the main campus of a state university in Bulacan, Philippines, who have successfully completed collaborative research writing projects, presented collaborative research projects in conferences and symposia, or published said collaborative research projects. Data were gathered using a researcher developed instrument, validated, and checked for reliability. Analysis of results using principal components analysis led to the development of the DRREAM (Diversity, Role assignment, Relationship-building and peer interdependence, Ergonomic, flexible and adaptable processes, Acquisition of knowledge, skills and expertise, Motivation consideration) model, a conceptual framework on factors that strengthen effectual collaborative research writing; while the use of thematic analysis enabled the formulation of IPP (Individual, Professional and Personal) model, a conceptual framework on strategies to overcome challenges faced by collaborators in a collaboration research project. Finally, an Action Plan Framework for Effectual Collaborative Research Writing is proposed to promote the culture of collaborative research practices among the members of the academia. Keywords: collaborative research writing, research collaboration factors, research collaboration challenges and strategies, research culture in academia

Implementing Practical Ergonomics Knowledge Transfer Using Ergonomic Checkpoints to Support the Participatory Ergonomics Process in an Industrially Developing Country

Occupational Applications Ergonomics knowledge transfer is one of the potential challenges in organizations in industrially developing countries. For the effective implementation of a systemic ergonomics knowledge transfer process, the involvement of all organizational levels is necessary, especially workers, with the facilitation of ergonomics expert. Applying a participatory ergonomics process with different participatory approaches for participant involvement – including a top-down approach, as a pushing tactic for intentional learning, and a bottom-up approach, as a pulling tactic for voluntary learning – can play a key role in the transfer and application of practical ergonomics knowledge. The results of this study showed that active involvement of all organizational levels, especially workers through action learning and a learner-centered approach, and using the ILO ergonomic checkpoints, could improve participant learning of ergonomics principles. In addition, this process can lead to improved competence of personnel in identifying problems and providing and implementing solutions to improve working conditions, especially low-cost solutions. Accordingly, if this process continues as a constant improvement process through multiple learning cycles, it can improve participation and ergonomics culture and achieve additional practical benefits of the Human Factors/Ergonomics.

Multi-Criterial Algorithm for the Efficient and Ergonomic Manual Assembly Process.

Industry 4.0 introduces smart solutions throughout the company’s supply chain, including manual assembly, where the goal is to ensure shorter work cycle time, increase productivity and quality, while minimizing costs. Following the principles of this paradigm, this paper proposes a digital transformation of the manual assembly process by implementing a multi-criterial algorithm (MCA) for adjusting and configuring a human-centered smart manual assembly workstation to ensure efficient and ergonomic performance of the manual assembly process. The MCA takes into account various influential parameters, such as the anthropometry of the individual worker, gender, complexity of the assembly process, product characteristics, and product structure. The efficiency of the MCA was verified both in the laboratory environment with the time analysis and in the virtual environment using Digital Human Modelling through several ergonomic analyses. The results of the implementation of the MCA on a manual assembly workstation support the digital (re)design of the manual assembly process with the aim of creating an efficient and ergonomically suitable workstation for each worker, thus increasing the productivity and efficiency of the human-centered manual assembly process.

FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN KELUHAN NYERI PUNGGUNG BAWAH PADA NELAYAN UDANG DI BELAWAN SICANANG MEDAN BELAWAN

Occupational health is a part of public health or public health applications in a working society and community in the workplace environment, which aims to improve work productivity and the highest degree of health. Low back pain or Low Back Pain is pain that is felt in the lower back region, between the corners of the lowest ribs to the sacrum. The working conditions of shrimp fishermen in Belawan Sicanang Medan Belawan who can cause lower back pain are the focus of this study. This research use cross sectional method and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) for ergonomic assessment process. The results of this study indicate a relationship to three aspects in Shrimp Fishermen workers namely age, work attitude, and years of work. Meanwhile there are two variables that have no relationship with lower back pain, namely Body Mass Index (BMI) and smoking habits.

An ergonomics-driven QFD model to improve medical laboratory staff and patient satisfaction

Patient satisfaction is an important and frequently used outcome measure for the quality of healthcare services. Any increase in patient satisfaction scores translates directly into an improved reputation, customer loyalty, profitability, and growth. This study investigates the effect of a well-designed work environment on medical laboratory employee satisfaction and in turn on patient satisfaction. The Quality Function Deployment methodology is used to translate the voice of patients into a set of critical to quality ergonomic aspects that are converted to prioritized and actionable ergonomic processes. By understanding the importance of ergonomic process elements of medical laboratory employee satisfaction and their effect on patient satisfaction level, it is possible to make informed decisions about the workplace elements that need to be considered for improvement. The results of this study highlight the role and responsibilities of healthcare execution managers in creating ergonomics-based organizational policies and strategies, leading to improved healthcare quality performance and financial results.

Development of an ergonomic design process for smartphone hard key locations

Smartphone hard key locations need to be ergonomically determined to improve grip stability and operational efficiency for users' convenience. The present study proposed an ergonomic design process that determines smartphone hard key locations by statistically analyzing the preferred hard key control areas of users with various hand sizes based on users’ preferred grip postures and hard key control areas. The proposed design process analyzes the characteristics of product design, user, task, and use context, the types of preferred grip posture, the preference distribution of grip posture, and the preference distribution of hard-key area, and then recommends the locations of hard keys by considering the preference distribution of hard-key area and design constraints. The proposed design process was applied to a smartphone with a 5-inch screen, resulting in 77–96 mm from the bottom of the device for a volume key to 20 mm on the left side and 88–97 mm for a power key to 10 mm on the right side. The proposed design process for the determination of smartphone hard-key locations would be of use to determine the locations of various portable product interfaces.

Finite element human hand model: Validation and ergonomic considerations

Established ergonomic practices incorporate only limited user data while designing new handheld products and hand tools. Design of handheld products and their handles relies mostly on ergonomic recommendations and designer experiences. Measurements of quantitative variables such as contact area, pressure, stresses, strains, etc. on hands using traditional methods are not possible or are time consuming, require a product prototype and expensive measurement systems. Therefore, companies do not incorporate these data in the product development, which could improve ergonomics further. To overcome this, we present a viable option of development and utilization of a finite element human hand model which allows grasping of products inside a virtual environment and provides quantitative results. The finite element human hand model is constructed based on medical images of a real human hand, with boundary conditions resembling the actual anatomical and topological features, which makes the model numerically feasible and biomechanically accurate. Results in terms of movement and grasping simulations of the finite element digital human hand model are presented with a discussion of the utilization of these results in the ergonomic design process.

Materials of Characterization for Development and Fabrication of Ergonomics Sofa

The basic material in an ergonomic sofa is a design process that has a specification of the basic material that is adapted to the sofa design. This is because the human factor is very much related to the ergonomics of the design in which this specification will affect the physical human. To achieve this goal, a survey questionnaire involving 30 people among the sofa makers was distributed to get feedback on the type of material used in the ergonomic sofa reconstruction process. Survey questions focus on type of material used. Based on the data analysis, results show that the type of material used such as frame and sponge is very much influenced by the design of the sofa as it is related to ergonomic features. These surveys are important to look at the specification of the key ingredients in the design of ergonomic sofas through perceptions of the maker sofa.

Ergonomic Process Improvement for Mapping Risk and Identifying Key Interventions for Eliminating Injuries from Needles and Sharps in the OR

The risk of a needle stick or sharps injury in the operating room (OR) is high due to conditions such as minimal physical protective measures, frequent transfer of sharps, and reliance on human attention and skill for injury avoidance. An ergonomic process improvement project was initiated at a large metro teaching hospital to identify ergonomic risk factors for these OR injuries. To maximize the engagement of the front- end users, an ergonomic process improvement (EPI) team was developed, consisting of representatives from participating OR teams, an employee health nurse and two ergonomists. Surveys, observations, and interviews were conducted to quantify injury risk for the OR teams, evaluate barriers to best practice adherence, and identify opportunities for targeted interventions. Risk mapping was completed for the surgeons, surgical techs and OR nurses identifying double gloving and safe passing zone as areas in need of improvement. Through observation and interviews, researchers identified physical factors relating to musculoskeletal pain and cognitive factors leading to distractions as safety risk concerns. The overall success of the EPI was the engagement of the OR teams and surgeons in the process of identifying risk factors and potential opportunities for ergonomic solutions related to cognitive workload, physical workload, teamwork, and work design for injury prevention. The risk factors identified will provide the basis for developing targeted, effective interventions for eliminating injuries from needles and sharps within the OR.

OPTIMAL MILK DISPOSAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN IN BOTTLE WITH ERGONOMICS APPROACH

The results of the observation conducted by the research team at the milk processing company in the waste, the phase of waste destruction through the stage of one of them is the disposal of milk from the bottle is still using the manual tool when the bottle hole and pour the milk fluid into the tub. The milk disposal time in the bottle can be optimised with ergonomic tool design process. The meaning of ergonomic design is the design of a tool that generates a working system using the size of Anthropometri, while the research is focused on ergonomic tool design that can be used by the operator with the effective efficient, safe and comfortable result. With the stage conducted by the research team was conducting surveys, study of literture, data collection, formulating problems, analyzing and outdoor that is targeted is optimal model design tool using size anthropometri with height of shoulders when standing along the 138.5 cm, reach of the fore hands 72cm, the range of the side hand of 71cm, the height of the elbow when standing 104 cm and the knee height when standing 49 cm by saving the discharge time by 37%.