Redesign of Work Facilities Based on Working Posture and Mental Workload to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorder (An Indonesian Case Study) Nachnul Ansori, Satrio A Kasih, Rullie Annisa
Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, Indonesia
Abstract
The work activity of the ventomatic rotary packer machine operator at PT. X is the packaging of the cement products which has both 40 kg and 50 kg weight. Technically, the operator installs the packaging by hooking the edge of the packaging to the hook of the ventomatic rotary packer machine in a short time (3 seconds) which is done during 7 working hours repetitively. The movements of the arm and finger segments on the left and right hands are not the same, however, it depends on the work activity. The length of work with repetitive movements and the static work postures makes the high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It also will have a serious level of boredom (mental load) experienced by workers. Therefore, this condition requires efforts to improve the operator^s working posture. This research was conducted to redesign the work facility of the ventomatic rotary packer machine based on the results of the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The design of work facilities used CATIA V5 software. The mental load was evaluated based on the weighted workload of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Two operators were involved to assess posture and workload in the workplace. The results of the posture evaluation showed that there was a high risk to the wrists, neck, and back when picking up the packaging. The mental workload experienced by workers showed a high category of mental workload. The high mental workload may be due to the low variety of work postures performed (too monotonous). Therefore, efforts to minimize physical and mental loads by designing the sit and stand chair with a seat seater feature that can rotate and can be adjusted in height, redesigning the packaging area with trolley wheels so it can be moved in position according to the operator. Last, there was an improvement in the posture performance of operators before and after the redesign of work facilities.
