LOCAL

The study of Abanto, J. (2014) entitled “Design and Development of an Ergonomic Drying Tray for
Charcoal Briquette at Poe Trading and Technical Services” designed new equipment for the workers
in order to make an easier and comfortable workstation. The study aimed to minimize the threats to
the health and safety of the workers and minimize the labor and income at Poe Trading and Technical
Services.

The study

FOREIGN STUDIES

According to the study of Grepo, L. et al., (2013), “An evaluation of Manual Handling Task in a
manufacturing Company” Manual Material Handling (MMH) is one of the most common causes of
accidents and ill-health in the workplace. Manual handling encompasses a wide range of work
activities - from occasion movement of very large loads with cranes and powered industrial trucks to
routines, repetitive lifting of relatively light objects and tasks that are incidental to workers regular,
daily activities.

Synthesis

The study of Grepo, L. et Al., (2013) entitled “An Evaluation of Manual Material Handling Task in
Manufacturing Company” used ergonomic checklist for general posture, task evaluation, work station
evaluation, as well as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) Risk Index to evaluate and analyze manual
material handling task in the Philippine Manufacturing of Baby Diapers. This study gave a result that
the manual material handling is one of the most common causes of accidents and ill health in the
workplace. Contrasting to this study, the present study used tools such as REBA, RULA, OWAS, NIOSH,
SRMFS in assessing the posture of the worker and to know the risk factors in doing the manual
process.

According to the study of Mr. Guruntuah V. Shinde, Prof. V.S.Jadhav entitled “Ergonomic Analysis of
an Assembly Workstation to Identity Time Consuming and Fatigue Causing Factors using Application
of Motion Study”, in productivity improvement of manufacturing industries, efficiency of worker plays
an important role. Productivity of worker greatly depends upon ergonomic design of workstation.
Efficient ergonomics in workstation design shows better interaction between man-machine systems.
Lot of research has been don on analyzing and improving ergonomics of workstation , facility layout
and tool design. Study regarding operator performance and comfort in repetitive assembly task has
been done (Shikdar et al, 2009). Workstation may function with less efficiency, if anthropometry data
mismatches with workstation design (Deros et al, 2009). Methodology has been proposed to analyze
and classify assembly workplace layout configuration in relation to both technological and
environmental parameters (Battini et al, 2011). Effect workstation design, assembly design, jig design
and working postures on assembly line shows jig design have most significant effect on assembly line
(Saptari et al, 2011). study of discomfort experienced by operators during process has been studied
and analysis of working postures has been done in Win OWAS software to find out awkward postures
(Ismail et al, 2009). Analysis of work stress during process among Indian workers has been carried in
manufacturing industries of India (Kuma et al, 2011). Ergonomic study on manual component
insertion line in printed circuit board assembly has been done using method of questionnaire, direct
interview and archived data (Shinde, 2012).

Synthesis

The study entitled “Ergonomic Analysis of an Assembly Workstation to Identify Time Consminf and
FFatigue Causing Factors using application of Motion Study” by Mr. Guruntuah V. Shinde, Prof.
V.S.Jadhav is related to the present study since the present study also proposed design and
development on how to reduce the causing factors of fatigue that plays an important role in worker’s
productivity. Now, manufacturers found that instead of investing lots of money on man,machine,
material, method, improving ergonomics of workplaces is cost saving. Ergonomics found great need
when market demand is high and manufacturers need more output within short period.

According to the study of N. Jaffar, A.H. Abdul Tharim, I.F. Tharin, N.S. Lop entitled “A Literature
Review of Ergonomics Risk Factors in Construction Industry”, workplaces traditionally have been
designed to move products or support machines efficiently. Since people have always seemed so
adaptable , how they fit into the workplace has received less attention. The increasing number of
injuries caused by repetitive motion, excessive force and awkward postures, ergonomics has become
a critical factor in workplace safety. According to Hagberg et ak,. ergonomics and human factors are
often used interchangeably in workplace. Both described the interaction between the worker and the
job demands. The difference between them is that ergonomics focuses on how work affects workers,
and human factors emphasize designs that reduce the potential for human error. While Bongers et al
stressed that by addressing traditional and environmental risk factors, it can keep workers injury free.
Risk and risk factors are common concepts used in safety and applied ergonomics literature. Risk
includes a component of how likely or what the probability of an event is and the seriousness of the
consequence or what the severity is if something does occur. Risk is often defined on how many
injuries or accidents resulted for a give exposure. At the extremes, injury risk can be viewed as very
low probability but extremely high consequence (e.g.: multiple fatalities) or higher probability but less
severe consequence (e.g.: a worker slipping and tripping.) (Jaffar, Abdul Tharim, Mohd-Kamar, 2011).

Synthesis

The study proposed by N. Jaffar, A.H. Abdul Tharim, I.F. Mohd-Kamar, N.S. Lop entitled “A Literature
Review of Ergonomics Risk Factors in Construction Industry” was similar to the present study because
of its goal , to reduce the risk factor in relation of human and their nature of work and the seriousness
of the consequences or what the severity is if something does occur.
Introduction

Nowadays, industries are concerned in workers’ welfare other that competing and introducing new
products in the market. Increasing the quality of products

In industries, workers are important. Workers are one of their assets. And one of the goals of every
industry is to make the worker happy and comfortable in doing their task because a happy worker is
productive one.

Ergonomic (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory,
principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system
performance. Ergonomists contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products,
environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations
of people. (IEA, 2015)

As a unique scientific discipline, human factors and ergonomics systematically apply the knowledge of
human abilities and limitations to the design of systems with the goal of optimizing the interaction
between people and other system elements to enhance safety, performance, and satisfaction. Human
factors are relevant anywhere people work with systems, whether theya re social or technical in
nature. The breadth of this socio-technical systems include situations and circumstances where
people interact with other system elements.

Applying a scientific and evidence- based approach to ergonomics process is important. The goal is to
identify ergonomic risk factors, quantify then, and then make measurable improvements to the
workplace, ensuring that jobs and tasks are within workers’ capabilities and limitations. The best
approach for doing that is to make ergonomics an on-going process of risk. Identification and risk
reduction based on objective, scientific analysis of the workplace.

A comfortable work station is a “must have” in every production area to give the workers or
employees a good working atmosphere. A good working atmosphere can make the worker work
better. It can also make them more productive and the whole company successful. Installing a
comfortable workstation will not only give good benefits to the workers; it will also give good benefits
to the employers because it can help them save on any future pay-outs brought about by some health
problems of their workers.

The employees themselves are an investment, and like any investment, they should yield a healthy or
worthwhile return to the company. Therefore, when employees are highly productive, the company
achieves its goals of investing in them in the first place. Productivity also helps to motivate the
workplace culture and boost morale, producing an even better company environment.
Recent studies in the field of ergonomics identify both occupational and non-occupational risk factors
which lead to MSDs. Risk factors related to work activity and ergonomics can make it more difficult to
maintain the balance, and increase probability that some individuals may develop an MSD. The most
important factor that results in the formation of MSD is the balance between local

According to the study if work is performed in awkward posture or with excessive effort, fatigue and
discomfort may result. Under this condition, muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels can be
damaged. Injuries of this type are known as the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)(Easy Ergonomics,
1999). the goal of the ergonomics is to prevent soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders
(MSDs) caused by sudden or sustained exposure to force, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward
posture. To create an ergonomically sound work environment, NIOSH ergonomist and industrial
hygienists recommend designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment
to fit employee’s physical capabilities and limitations (CDC, 2018).

It is very important to assess that full range of ergonomic MSD risks and to address them in a
comprehensive way. The risk assessment must be completed by a set of appropriate actions targeted
to elimination, where possible, or reduction of the risks to the human musculoskeletal systems, as
well as eliminate or reduce safety hazards. When deciding on preventive actions, a wide range of
possble changes should be considered. Determining work tasks in one of the most important
requirements to reduce the physical demands of the job by decreasing the levels pf force, repetition,
awkward posture and/ or vibration.

In the workplace, the notion of comfort