Ergonomics redesign minimized unsafe actions in a wood working workshop

摘要

Woodworking workshops are full of high technology equipment and are very hazardous. A preliminary study showed that there were inappropriate working conditions, and therefore unsafe actions by workers. An ergonomic redesign was carried out, and research was conducted to assess the value of the new working conditions. Results showed that it had minimized the unsafe actions of the workers and increased their health status. Workers who wore ear plugs, masks, and gloves increased by 63.74%, 85.9%, and 95.66% respectively. The use of bending and squatting postures decreased by 92.24% and 92.51%. Similarly, loss of body weight, working heart rates, MSDs, and general fatigue score decreased by 78.72%, 17.93%, 24.78%, and 22.45% respectively. In conclusion, the workers' behavior was greatly improved, and so was their health status. A program arising from this result should be widely implemented, especially for small-medium scale woodworking industries so as to build a sustainable ergonomics working culture.