Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan Asim Zaheer 1, Dr. Rameez Khalid Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, NED University of.

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan

Asim Zaheer1, Dr. Rameez KhalidDepartment of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering,

NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

1corresponding author: [email protected]

Topics To be Discussed

I. INTRODUCTION

II. CONTEXT

III. PROBLEM STATEMENT

IV. RESULTS

V. ERGONOMICS AWARENESS PROGRAM

VI. CONCLUSIONS

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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I. INTRODUCTION

What is Ergonomics?

• Ergonomics, is derived from the Greek word ‘ergon’ which means work and ‘nomos’ means law [1-3]

• The Science of Work or the Study of Work

• Designing the job to fit the worker

• Improve the human well-being

• Optimize overall system’s performance

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Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

I. INTRODUCTION(Cont..)

•Focus on worker

•Physical and psychological capabilities

•Keep an eye on human limitations

•Harmonious relationship

•Enhancement of productivity and efficiency [2]

This guy needs more than a new chair!!!!

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II. CONTEXT In Pakistan, knowledge of ergonomics is in its infancy

• Ignorance among employer & employee

Ergonomics include different scientific disciplines: [6, 7]

Physical stresses and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

MSDs are also referred interchangeably as CTDs: [10, 11]

• Repeated trauma, Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) and • Occupational overexertion syndrome

Physiology Biomechanics Psychology

Anthropometry Industrial hygiene Kinesiology

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

According to Cohen [8], MSDs result in:• Delays, Absenteeism, Injuries, Illnesses

Risk factors associated with MSDs are: [11, 12]• Repetitive motion• Force-full exertion• Vibration • Mechanical compression• Awkward body postures• High noise • Low lighting• Extreme temperatures

Ergonomics reduce MSDs by more than 50% [9]

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Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

MSDs affect [4] • Upper limb • Neck • Back

Work place common MSDs are CTS and back injury [10]

Prolong working hours

Symptoms of MSDs:[11]• pain• numbness• Tingling• stiff joints• difficulty in moving • muscle loss• paralysis • Disorders

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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Two law enforcing agencies: • NIOSH (National Institute of

Occupational Safety and Health)• OSHA (Occupational Safety

and Health Administration)

Human body is divided into three planes: [6,7,13]• Sagittal plane, • Coronal plane and • Transverse plane

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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Wrist movement classified as:• Flexion• Extension• Radial• Ulnar

Hand movements are classified as:[13]

• Abduction • Adduction• Supination• Pronation

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

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Industrial Examples

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Job analysis tools:• Strain Index (SI), • Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) • Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)• Ovako Work Assessment System (OWAS)

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

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Strain Index (SI):[14]• Number (score)• Upper extremity disorders. • Tool to evaluate the job, not the worker

SI = (Intensity of Exertion Multiplier)× (Duration of Exertion Multiplier)× (Efforts per Minute Multiplier)× (Posture Multiplier)× (Speed of Work Multiplier)× (Duration per Day Multiplier)

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) [6, 17]• Number (score) • Upper limb disorders

WristForearmsElbowsShouldersNeckTrunk

Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) [18]• Number (score) • Entire body assessment

II. CONTEXT(Cont..)

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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III. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Manufacturing Industry of two wheelers OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) vendor

for famous companies of auto-bikes in Pakistan Products include:

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Selected Postures

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III. PROBLEM STATEMENT(Cont..)

Analysis Tools and Procedures:

• Strain Index (SI)

• Exclusively focused on wrist and hand

• Recorded videos

• Critical analysis of working postures

• Gathered relevant data

• Taken snaps

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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SI for Posture 1• Rating Criteria Table • Multiplier Table[14]

• SI Calculation

Ergointelligence

Other Postures

IV. RESULTS

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S.NO. SI Parameters Rating Multiplier

1 Intensity of effort 2 3

2 Percentage duration

3 1.5

3 Effort per minute 2 1.0

4 Wrist Posture 3 1.5

5 Speed of work 4 1

6 Duration / day 3 0.75

SI = 5.1

IV. RESULTS (Cont..)

Posture Problems SI Risk TypeAction Needed

Mean Incidence Rate [14]

1

Wrist FlexionAbduction

ForceNeck flexion

Hard grip

5.1 Some RiskCaution required

77 injuries per 100 worker per year

2

Wrist FlexionAbductionGrip force

Neck flexionTrunk flexion

6 Some RiskCaution required

77 injuries per 100 worker per year

3

Wrist extensionAbduction

ForceHard grip

27 HazardousImmediate

action77 injuries per 100

worker per year

4

Wrist flexionAbduction

ForceNeck flexionTrunk flexion

20.25 HazardousImmediate

action77 injuries per 100

worker per year

SI FOR POSTURES

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Posture Problems SI Risk TypeAction Needed

Mean Incidence Rate

[14]

5Wrist flexion

Excessive reaching

2.6 Safe situation No action2 injuries per

100 worker per year

6Extreme bending

Wrist flexion4.5 Uncertain

Caution required

2 injuries per 100 worker per

year

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Wrist extensionForce

Hard gripNeck flexion

6 Some RiskCaution required

77 injuries per 100 worker per

year

8Wrist flexionNeck flexionTrunk flexion

3 UncertainCaution required

2 injuries per 100 worker per

year

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Wrist flexion/extension

Upper arm abducted

ForceNeck flexion

6 Some RiskCaution required

77 injuries per 100 worker per

year

IV. RESULTS (Cont..)

SI FOR POSTURES

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V. ERGONOMICS AWARENESS PROGRAM

Proposed Ergonomics Awareness program:

• Phase 01: Analysis of work place

• Phase 02: Prevention and control of Hazards

• Phase 03: Personnel training and education

• Phase 04: Medical Management

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Zaheer

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V. ERGONOMICS AWARENESS PROGRAM

(Cont..)

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V. ERGONOMICS AWARENESS PROGRAM

(Cont..)

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VI. CONCLUSIONS

Findings• Realities in Pakistani Industry• Strain Index (SI)• Worker is at risk; Awkward postures• Poor environment; Injury prone jobs

Perspectives• Awareness program • RULA • REBA

Ergonomics: A work place realities in Pakistan - Asim

Zaheer

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Acknowledgment

THANK YOU for your attentionTHANK YOU for your attentionQuestionsQuestions

Contact: [email protected]; +92 (0)321 2700850

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