Mechanical exposure implications of rationalization: a comparison of two flow strategies in a Swedish manufacturing plant

Applied Ergonomics
Gunnar PalmerudJörgen Winkel

Abstract

The aim of this case study was to (1) investigate differences in mechanical exposure (i.e. mechanical forces arising in the body of the operator) between two production strategies: long-cycle parallelised flow assembly (OLD) and conventional serial flow assembly (NEW), and (2) estimate potential changes in job exposure as a consequence of waste reduction when rationalising a line system. Data on postures, movements and whole body exposure were collected during an ordinary working shift, by means of video recordings synchronised to direct technical measurements of six professional operators. The results revealed the machine paced NEW system to have slower movements with less time spent in movements of high velocity compared to the self-paced OLD system. No significant differences were found between time-median posture levels. 'Disturbances' in the NEW system offered lower mechanical risk exposures compared to direct assembly work. Modelling the removal of wasteful 'disturbances' revealed both an increase in risk-implying fast movements and decrease in recovery-implying periods at low velocity - effectively isolating a work intensification. This study helps expose the complex relationship between rationalizations and mechanical e...Continue Reading

References

Aug 29, 2001·Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing·G A HanssonS Skerfving
Sep 10, 2003·Applied Ergonomics·Rabindra Nath Sen, Paul H P Yeow
Apr 28, 2005·Applied Ergonomics·Karolina KazmierczakJørgen Winkel
Aug 17, 2005·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·G-A HanssonI Balogh
Mar 24, 2007·Applied Ergonomics·Richard WellsJørgen Winkel
Sep 9, 2008·Applied Ergonomics·Jan Dul, W Patrick Neumann
Mar 1, 1996·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·G A HanssonS Skerfving

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