Applying Design Ergonomics to Reduce RSIs and MSDs in Manufacturing

摘要

The human and economic costs of musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs), and repetitive strain injury (RSI) are very significant. The economic costs are estimated to be in the tens of billions of Euro in the EU countries and are similar in the USA. The cost in human pain has not been measured. In spite of all the advancements in science and technology, people who are very significantly taller than the people of a century ago, are still working in very uncomfortable postures in the manufacturing industry, at benches, which have not changed in design for centuries. The primary objective of this research was to determine the best-fit workbench ergonomics for males and females. The secondary objective, which was dependant on the first, was to design a bench, which would suit the ergonomic requirements of this diverse group, whose stature-difference-range was nearly 450 mm (18 ins.) The research has identified the best-fit workbench heights for the total cohort, while recognising the individual differences in relation to bench height ergonomics, for each of the sub-groups tested. The investigation revealed that there were no significant differences, between the ergonomic requirements for males and females at workbenches. Through a new design, body part discomfort has been significantly reduced for all users, at the best-fit height, and endurance has been considerably extended. The outcomes of the research relating sub-groups making up the test cohort have shown that an ergonomic best-fit is possible, which suits the needs of widely diverse groups and individuals. Robust working heights have been identified, but the female working heights at workbenches, are not as robust as for the males. The research has shown that bench height has a significant effect on body part discomfort and endurance. The findings suggest that working in ergonomically compromising positions, is likely in the long term (in addition to increasing the risk of MSDs and RSIs), to influence productivity, and quality of work. An inclusive workbench has been designed and built which satisfies the ergonomic needs of a very diverse user group.