Improvement of Workstation Design Based on Ergonomics' Principles

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explain and demonstrate the ability of applying ergonomics rules and principles for manual workstation design. The proposed methodology is composed of two stages: the first stage depends on the factorial experiment to develop the initial solution and treated a mixture of separate levels and factors; Taguchi (Design of experiment) approach is used for selection of main factors and levels for different workstation design. Jack software is used for drawing and simulates current workstation and the alternatives for different workstation design as well as performance (Ttask, Eshift, Btask, RWLtask) that are affected by design factors analysis. The second stage are to get the best solution based on desirability function that is scrutinized solution later using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the economic and human performance measurements for both type of gender and the solution are compared with results of the current workstation. Performance (manually closing damper workstation) in the general hydraulic industries company. Based on achieved results one operator can perform the task activities for the proposed workstation instead of two workers of current workstation. Also, the production rate increased 38%, 1% for (male, female) respectively.