An Industrial Ergonomic Analysis of Potential Techniques to Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries in Employees Working on Production Assembly Lines

Abstract

Many companies struggle with the balance of productivity and proper ergonomic work task design. However, it is extremely important to ensure the well-being of the employees. This is an ergonomic analysis of a plant that reported a repetitive stress injury in one of its employee’s shoulders. A systematic literature review was completed, through co-authorship analysis, relevancy searches, and leading author analysis. The articles found through the literature review presented solutions to some of the identified issues with the workstation. These identified issues were determined through in-class lectures, Q&A sessions with one of the plant’s stakeholders, and pictures from the plant. Many of the considerations were based of the ideals and quantitative values of the NIOSH lifting equation which puts emphasis on the angle of rotation and the overall reach movement of the operator [1]. Through ergonomic analysis, it was determined that the alternatives must limit twisting, reaching, and long, sedentary standing by the operators. These alternatives are intended to help prevent the introduction of more repetitive stress injuries in employees working on this production assembly line. Such alternatives include sit-stand stools, overhead storage, and other tools to help redesign the workstation to not only improve the health of the employees but does not disrupt production as well.