Ergonomic exposure assessments of workplace layout and working postures of sitting and standing workers

Abstract

Ergonomics can be defined as the study of interface (an interaction) between the humans and the objects they used and the environments they function in. This definition seems to describe the most important components: humans, objects, environments, and the complex interactions between them. It is important to ensure that the worker can work in the safe condition whether they work in standing, sitting, walking and so on. The use of ergonomics study is to improve the workers safety and health, increase job satisfaction and enhances performance. Lack of ergonomics criteria in workspace and workstation design can cause physical and biological hazards to the workers. Ergonomics evaluations in industrial setting have recently received increased attention due to the cost incurred as a result of repetitive motion injuries. When we are working, the most common position involved is whether standing or seating. Working in sitting position is widely available in the office and assembly line at the manufacturing floor. Because of some particular reason, working in standing position also widely used in manufacturing floor. Many industrial companies today have changed their plant layout to fit with standing operator. This paper reports on the impact of the types of handling the work station design, have specific ergonomic risk factors identified in these tasks. The field of study is focused on ergonomic problems encountered for every machine and workstation at the Engineering School associated with the laboratory practical’s in these labs.