Ergonomic design intervention in a coating production area

Abstract

The aim of this study is to redesign two workstations in a PVD coating production area, considering productivity and ergonomic aspects. Through the elimination of wastes such as unnecessary movements and transportations and by reducing the awkward postures as arm flexion larger than 45º, the productivity in the loading and unloading workstations increased 9% and 5%, respectively, and the ergonomic risk was improved from medium to acceptable. RULA was the chosen method to evaluate the ergonomic situation and anthropometric studies were performed to find the ideal ergonomic solution. This study shows the importance to consider ergonomic conditions when designing or redesigning a workstation in order to get effective productivity improvements.