Ergonomic analysis in a food packing workplace

• Tipo: Artigo em Livro de Atas de Conferência Internacional
• Data: 2015

Autores

Ana Cordeiro (Autor) FEUP; Pedro Arezes (Autor) Outra; Maria Eugénia Pinho (Autor) FEUP

Ata de Conferência Internacional

Título: SHO 2015 - International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene

Páginas: 332-334

SHO 2015 - International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene

Guimarães, Portugal, 12 a 13 de fevereiro de 2015

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências da engenharia e tecnologias > Outras ciências da engenharia e tecnologias

Outras Informações

Abstract (EN): Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) became one of the biggest health problems in the workplace and one of the main concerns of ergonomics and despite all the technical improvements, the manual handling of loads is still an important risk factor for WMSD. The present study was performed with the main objective of conduct an ergonomic analysis in a workplace that consists in packaging products in a pallet, in a food distribution industry, also called picking. In this perspective, its aim is to identify if the tasks performed by operators can enhance the risk of WMSD and, if so, suggest proposals that minimize the effort required in this type of activity. The methodologies of ergonomic risk assessment that were initially applied were the Risk Reckoner and the Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC). Subsequently, in order to, on the one hand, complement the analysis performed using the two methods previously mentioned, and, on the other hand, allow an assessment of two important risk factors associated with this activity (work postures and loads handling), two additional methodologies were also selected: the NIOSH Lifting Equation (revised version) and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). In all the performed approaches, the tasks of palletizing at lower levels were identified as the ones that most penalize workers in what regards the risk of development of MSDs. All methodologies led to levels of risk that require an immediate or short-term ergonomic intervention, aiming at ensuring the safety and health of workers performing such activity. The implementation of measures designed to eliminate or minimize the risk may involve the allocation of significant human and material resources that is increasingly necessary to manage efficiently. Taking into account the complexity and variability of the developed tasks, it is recommended that such a decision can be proceeded by a new study using more accurate risk assessment methodologies, such as those that use monitoring tools.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica