Volume 3 (2)
Study On Ergonomics Of Working Posture And Workstation Design In XYZ Factory
*Muhammad Syafiq SYED MOHAMED1, Akmal Hafiz, AZANI1, Lokman ABDULLAH1, Ruzaidi ZAMRI1, Mohd Nazmin MASLAN1, Mahasan MAT ALI1, Maslan ZAINON2, Noorazizi MOHD SAMSUDDIN3, Mohammad Nazriq ILIAS1
1Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
2 Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Elektrik dan Elektronik, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
2Department of Engineering , Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, UTM Kuala Lumpur,Level 6, Razak Tower, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract: Manufacturing sector is one of the highest risk industries contributing to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). These problems have attracted much attention in recent years and is becoming more and more wide-spread. The source of concern is in most industrialized countries. The phenomenon of WMSDs must be treated very seriously as it can have a considerable social-economic impact. The study was conducted at XYZ Sdn Bhd in Malaysia where the general manufacturing activities involve cleaning, loading and unloading, turning process, grooving process, measuring process, collecting data and packing activities. Different employees are exposed to risk factors depending on their job and task. The objectives of this research are to identify the critical activities that affect to the musculoskeletal disorder among XYZ employees by observation and evaluation of the critical activities, to perform the analysis work posture and to propose and improve posture and workplace design at XYZ Sdn Bhd. The data for this study were collected via observation and discomfort survey to the XYZ employees. Other informal data such as experience-posture with photos were taken during their task. Further analysis based on Rapid Upper Limb Analysis (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) were implemented by entering the scores according to the initial degree of body position. Lastly, RULA and REBA tables on the form were then used to compile the risk factor variables, generating a single score that represents the optimum solution of the correct working posture for XYZ employee. In addition, the finding of the study will provide as useful information and reference to the potential researchers, especially in the manufacturing industry. Nevertheless, employer must take serious action to implementing effective improvements in ergonomics in the workplace in future such by expanding education and training programs to assist employees and employers in understanding and utilizing the range possible workplace designed to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This may indirectly help to optimize human efficiency, effectiveness, health, safety, and well-being within the context of system performance.
Keywords: WMSDs, RULA, REBA
