Production Efficiency Enhancement Using Improved Working Posture Of Material Handling Activity In Furniture Industry.
PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT USING IMPROVED WORKING POSTURE OF MATERIAL HANDLING ACTIVITY IN
FURNITURE INDUSTRY
NOOR FARAZDILLAH BINTI ISMAIL
FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN PEMBUATAN
Rujukan Kami (Our Ref) : 18 Mei 2009
Rujukan Tuan (Your Ref):
Pustakawan
Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) Taman Tasik Utama, Hang Tuah Jaya,
Ayer Keroh, 75450, Melaka Saudara,
PENGKELASAN LAPORAN PSM SEBAGAI SULIT/TERHAD
- LAPORAN PSM SARJANA MUDA KEJURUTERAAN PEMBUATAN (PENGURUSAN PEMBUATAN): Noor Farazdillah Binti Ismail
TAJUK: Production Efficiency Enhancement Using Improved Working Posture of Material Handling Activity in Furniture Industry
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Sekian dimaklumkan. Terima kasih.
“BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA KERANA ALLAH”
Yang benar,
………..
HJ. AB RAHMAN BIN MAHMOOD Pensyarah Kanan,
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
Karung Berkunci 1200, Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka
Tel : 06-233 2421, Faks : 06 233 2414 Email : fkp@kutkm.edu.my
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UTeM Library (Pind.1/2007)
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PSM JUDUL:
Production Efficiency Enhancement Using Improved Working Posture of Material Handling Activity in Furniture Industry
SESI PENGAJIAN: Semester 2 (2008/2009) Saya Noor Farazdillah Binti Ismail
mengaku membenarkan laporan PSM / tesis (Sarjana/Doktor Falsafah) ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat
kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Laporan PSM / tesis adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan
penulis.
2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan
untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM / tesis ini sebagai bahan
pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.
4. *Sila tandakan (√)
SULIT
√ TERHAD
TIDAK TERHAD
(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau
kepentingan Malaysia yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)
(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) Alamat Tetap: No 70,Jalan Samarinda 6,
Taman Kandis Permai, 41000, Klang, Selangor
Tarikh: _______________________
(TANDATANGAN PENYELIA) Cop Rasmi:
Tarikh: _______________________
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PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT USING IMPROVED WORKING POSTURE OF MATERIAL HANDLING ACTIVITY IN
FURNITURE INDUSTRY
NOOR FARAZDILLAH BINTI ISMAIL
This report is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing Management)
FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
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DECLARATION
I hereby, declared this report entitled Production Efficiency Enhancement Using Improved Working Posture of Material Handling Activity in Furniture Industry is the
results my own research except as cited in references
Signature :………
Author’s Name :………
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APPROVAL
This report is submitted to the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing Management) with Honours. The member of the supervisory committee is as follow:
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ABSTRACT
This project is provided to explain the important of ergonomics working posture in working areas. This study is about production efficiency enhancement using improved working posture of material handling activity in furniture industry. The factory site that has been chosen is Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd., located at Lot 12, Jalan PBR 28, Phase 4C, Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, 75250 Melaka. Nowadays, in Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd, the workers need to stand for a long period in order to perform their job and this leads to tiredness and back pain. The workers will feel fatigue and discomfort as a result of performing work in awkward postures or with excessive. This study is carried out to analyse, evaluate, and recommend the right working posture by operators when handling the material for the production. The data are collected by doing observations and using experimental method. This data then supported by data collected from the previous studies that related to this study such as from textbooks, articles, and also information from internet basis such as ERGOWEB. From this study, an improved working posture for worker will be expected as a result.
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ABSTRAK
Projek ini disediakan untuk menerangkan tentang kepentingan postur bekerja yang ergonomik di tempat kerja. Kajian ini mengenai peningkatan kecekapan pengeluaran dengan menggunakan postur kerja untuk memegang bahan kerja yang telah diperbaiki di kilang perabot. Kilang yang telah dipilih untuk kajian ini dilakukan ialah Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. yang terletak Lot 12, Jalan PBR 28, Phase 4C, Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, 75250 Melaka. Pada masa ini, para pekerja di Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. perlu berdiri untuk satu jangka masa yang panjang untuk melaksanakan tugasan mereka dan ini menyebabkan mereka mengalami keletihan dan sakit di bahagian belakang badan. Postur yang kekok atau melakukan kerja dengan menggunakan tenaga yang berlebihan akan menyebabkan para pekerja itu akan berasa letih dan mengalami ketidakselesaan.Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi oleh mereka. Satu teknik yang lebih baik untuk memegang bahan kerja akan dicadangkan apabila data yang diperolehi daripada kajian ini selesai dianalisis. Data untuk analisis ini diperolehi daripada melakukan penyeldikan dan juga menjalankan ujikaji. Data – data ini kemudiannya akan disokong dengan maklumat yang telah dikumpulkan dan diambil daripada penyelidikan para penyelidik yang terdahulu. Maklumat yang digunakan sebagai bahan sokongan ini diambil daripada buku-buku rujukan,jurnal-jurnal dan maklumat yang diperolehi dari internet. Hasil dari kajian ini diharapkan dapat memperbaiki postur dan cara kerja yang sedia ada kepada yang lebih selamat malah dapat memberi keselesaan kepada para pekerja.
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DEDICATION
I dedicate this project to my beloved parents, En. Haji Ismail B. Ahmad and Pn Hajah Siti Zabidah Binti Salleh, who offered me unconditional love and support throughout the
course of this final project. Without their patience, understanding, support and most of all love, the completion of this project would not have been possible.
For My PSM Supervisor: MR. Haji AB Rahman B. Mahmood
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Utmost gratefulness to The Almighty Allah SWT for the abundant blessing and favours for me to accomplished the research in this Projek Sarjana Muda. The project had goes smoothly and had finished on the time given.
In addition to it, I would like to express my appreciation to my Supervisor, En AB Rahman Mahmood for all his priceless advices, help and support given to me from commencing of the Title Selection until the completion of my Projek Sarjana Muda. Thank you so much for all of the support and care.
And I am also wants to thanks my dearest mother and father for their understanding to let me study in this university and Engineering field. Not to forget my other family members and my brother for supporting me to go through my days in UTeM.. Also, thank you to all lecturers and staff of Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, UTeM that had given full cooperation and aid to me to finish the project. Last but not least, to all my friends in BMFU and my housemates from my first year in KUTKM for your assists and encouragement until this project completed.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Declaration ii
Approval iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vi
Abstrak vii
Table of Contents viii
List Of Tables xii
List Of Figures xiii
List Of Abbreviations xvi
CHAPTER
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 1.1.1 1.1.2
Background
The important of study Company background
1 1 2
1.2 Problem statement 2
1.3 Objective of study 3
1.4 Scope and Limitation 3
1.5 Potential Benefit of study 4
1.6 Structure of the report 4
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 6
2.1 Ergonomic Overview 6
2.2 Introduction to Ergonomics 8
2.2.1 What are Musculoskeletal Disorders(MSDs)? 10
2.2.2 Workplace Factors Contribute to MSDs 12
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(a)Visual Effort 14
2.2.2.2 Repetitive Motions 15
2.2.2.3 Force exertions 16
2.2.2.4 Vibration 16
2.2.2.5 Pressure Point 16
2.3 Defining Productivity and Efficiency 17
2.4 Effect of MSDs on Productivity Efficiency 17
2.4.1 Why are MSDs a Problem? 18
2.4.2 How do WMSDs affect productivity? 19
2.4.3 How can enhance productivity? 20
2.5 Safe working posture 21
2.5.1 Safe working posture in standing and sitting position for work surface height
22
2.5.2 Safe working posture in standing position 23
2.5.3 Safe working posture in sitting position 25
2.5.4 Safe working posture for lifting and carrying 26
2.6 Tools for safe working evaluation 28
2.6.1 Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) 28
2.7 Assessment research on material handling 30
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 39
3.1 Planning of study 40
3.1.1 Gantt Chart 41
3.2 Data Collection 44
3.2.1 Methods 44
3.2.1.1 Observation 44
3.2.1.2 Experiment 45
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3.2.4 Tools 48
3.2.4.1 RULA 48
3.3 Procedure to evaluate the data 49
3.3.1 Steps using checklist 49
3.3.2 RULA analysis Procedures 50
3.3.3 Procedure of Experiment 53
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 56
4.1 Data Analysis of Case studies 56
4.1.1 Case study 1 57
4.1.2 Case study 2 60
4.1.3 Case study 3 64
4.1.4 Case study 4 67
4.2 Evaluation of Improvement 70
4.2.1 RULA analysis Revised Result 70
4.2.2 Productivity Result 76
4.2.2.1 Before Improvement 76
4.2.2.2 After Improvememnt 77
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 81
5.1 Conclusion 81
5.1.1 To study the present material handling and investigate the awkward postures that caused tiredness and back pain to operators while performing their tasks
81
5.1.2 To analyze the workers’ posture and lifting limits on material handling activities using checklist and RULA, then the finding will be evaluate using experimental method.
82
5.1.3 To propose a new and efficient technique of materials
handling for Hasro’s workers
82
5.2 Recommendation 83
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REFERENCES 85 APPENDICES
A Posture Checklist B Scissor lifter Drawing
C Reference Diagram for RULA Analysis
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LIST OF TABLES
2.1 Summaries of articles, journals, and researches 30
3.1 Gantt chart for PSM I 41
3.2 Gantt chart for PSM II 42
3.3 Example of variable table used. 46
4.1 Angle of body part deviate from neutral position 57
4.2 Posture risk assessment for Group A 58
4.3 Posture risk assessment for Group B 59
4.4 Scoring for Group A body part 59
4.5 Scoring for Group B body part 60
4.6 Grand Score 60
4.7 Angle of body part deviate from neutral position 60
4.8 Posture risk assessment for Group A 62
4.9 Posture risk assessment for Group B 62
4.10 Scoring for Group A body part 63
4.11 Scoring for Group B body part 63
4.12 Grand Score 63
4.13 Angle of body part deviate from neutral position 64
4.14 Posture risk assessment for Group A 65
4.15 Posture risk assessment for Group B 65
4.16 Scoring for Group A body part 66
4.17 Scoring for Group B body part 66
4.18 Grand Score 66
4.19 Angle of body part deviate from neutral position 67
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4.21 Posture risk assessment for Group B 69
4.22 Scoring for Group A body part 69
4.23 Scoring for Group B body part 69
4.24 Grand Score 70
4.25 Angle of body part deviate from neutral position 71
4.26 Posture risk assessment for Group A 72
4.27 Posture risk assessment for Group B 72
4.28 Scoring for Group A body part 73
4.29 Scoring for Group B body part 73
4.30 Grand Score 73
4.31 Table of product produced before improvement 77
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LIST OF FIGURES
2.1 Example of awkward posture 13
2.2 Repetitive work 15
2.3 Percent of total Lost-Time Injuries by type of occupational injuries and illnesses
18 2.4 Percent of total WSIB costs by type of occupational injuries
and illnesses
19
2.5 .
Ergonomics Job Consideration
22 2.6 A workstation designed for a standing and sitting worker 23 2.7 Workplace which has enough space to change working
position
24 2.8 A worker's leg on a foot rail or portable foot-rest. 24
2.9 Safe working sitting posture. 26
2.10 Lifting and carrying the box with safe working posture 27 2.11 Lifting and carrying the stone with safe working posture 28
2.12 The RULA methods scoring sheets 30
3.1 Flow chart for planning of study 43
3.2 Illustration of Ergoweb software 51
3.3 An example of biomechanical model 51
3.4 Selection of RULA in the job evaluator toolbox 4.0 51 3.5 Posture Risk Factor Assessment for Group A (upper arm,
lower arm, and wrist)
52 3.6 Posture Risk Factor Assessment for Group B (neck, trunk,
and legs)
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4.1 The worker bending to lift the material 42
4.2 The worker bending to lift the material 61
4.3 The worker bending to lift the material 64
4.4 The worker bending to lift the material 67
4.5 The worker bending to lift the material 71
4.6 Graph of the Effective action level of RULA. 74
4.7 Side view for the proposed improve lifting task 75
4.8 Top view for the proposed improve lifting task 76
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter explains the background of the study which consist the study background, problem statements, objectives, scope and limitation of project.
1.1 Background of study
The study is about production efficiency enhancement using improved working posture of material handling activity in a furniture industry. The study is conducted to identify posture that caused tiredness and back pain to operators while performing their tasks through survey and observation. Then, from the data collected, the analysis will be done to determine the problems on material handling activity. The improvement proposed by using the engineering control to reduce the injuries risk faced by HASRO‘s workers.
1.1.1 The significant of project
The important of this project are:
(a) To know whether the current working posture is safe or not. (b) To identify the factors that causing the tiredness and back pain.
(c) To take an action to solve the problem with the objectives to improve the productivity.
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1.1.2 Company background
Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. which is s located at Lot 12, Jalan PBR 28, Phase 4C, Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, 75250 Melaka. Hasro was established in 1978 as an enterprising cottage industry that sought to create unique and quality furniture for a discerning market. The founder, Mr. Hashim Mohamad is the successor of a family with long established wood carpentry tradition and was responsible in moulding the commercial entity out of his lifelong passion for woodworking and craftsmanship. Through its growth, Hasro has made a name for itself in being totally committed to achieving the highest standards of furniture making. Today, Hasro‘s product has successfully gained international market appeal with demands growing beyond Malaysian shores.
1.2 Problem statement
Nowadays, in Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd, the workers need to standing for a long period in order to perform their tasks. This situation leads to tiredness and back pain. As we know, when a work is performed in awkward postures or with excessive effort, fatigue and discomfort may be the result ( Feletto. M, Lopes.J, 1999). Under these conditions muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels can be damaged. The injuries that the workers faced are known as musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. MSDs can increase the cost of doing business both directly and indirectly. Direct costs may include medical services and higher workers‘ compensation premiums. Indirect costs from increased employee turnover, absenteeism, and retraining may also occur. Productivity, product quality, and employee morale may also suffer. Ultimately, an ergonomics approach is used to the design of an industrial workstation to achieve an
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mental well-being, job satisfaction and safety (Fulter el al, 2000 ). The better technique will be recommended as a solution to overcome these problems.
1.3 Objectives
(a) To study the present material handling and investigate the awkward postures that caused tiredness and back pain to operators while performing their tasks.
(b) To analyze the workers‘ working posture and lifting limits on material handling activities using checklist and RULA, then the finding will be evaluate using experimental method.
(c) To propose a new and efficient technique of materials handling for Hasro‘s workers
1.4 Scope and Limitation
This project mainly aims to establish a production efficiency enhancement using improved working posture of material handling activity in furniture industry, Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. Introduction of the selected manufacturing factory, relationships between material handling activities and occupational health, evolution of ergonomic, various tools that can be use, proper posture, MSDs and the tools used are stated briefly. Here, the methods used are observation and experimental. While the tools use to evaluate the material handling activity is RULA. This project will analyze, revise, and recommend a new technique as solution to improve present working posture of material handling activity. Here, clearly stated that this project will specifically focus more on awkward postures of material handling and repetitive motions and also will not cover the study on the long terms effects of improved working posture of material handling method on workers‘ performance.
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1.5 Potential Benefits of Study
The potential benefits from this study can be given to the following parties: (a) Factory employer
This study may help the factory employer to improve the working environment for the workers, which also decrease the possibility of workers absent due to occupational health problems, and this will improve the workers‘ productivity. (b) Factory workers
This study may help workers more alert about the risk of having occupational health problems. Besides that, workers‘ discomfort will be reduced if the proposed solution is implemented.
(c) Student
The study helps student gain knowledge on ergonomic based on real situation in working area. The student also had learned to use the analytical tools such as RULA tool to implement in real life. Through the study, student can improve her knowledge on ergonomic and knowledge on improve and solve the MSDs problem. From the knowledge gained, it is very useful for the student be able to use it on working life.
(23)
This report consists of introduction, theory, activities performed, recommendation and modification of material handling method, and reanalyze the results after doing improvements. The report consists of five chapters and each chapter is described as below:
Chapter 1, the background study of the project, a brief introduction of the selected manufacturing factory, problem statement, objectives of the project, scope of study, potential benefits of study and the report structure is included as well.
Chapter 2 consists of the literature review about the theoretical concept of ergonomics and the connection with material handling. Background study on the evolution of ergonomics science is shown. The relationship between material handling activities and occupational health and types of safe working postures also the illness and injuries involved in material handling are stated. Tools for safe working evaluation are also included. Reviews are done on material handling which are suitable to be used for this project.
Chapter 3 is provides the information and method used in order to achieve the objectives of the project. Briefly description about the procedures and method such as determination of workers‘ responses regarding the discomfort in the manufacturing factory, observation tools and methods and solutions to improve the current material handling methods.
Chapters 4 are described details of the case studies that workers associated with manual materials handling (MMH) activities. This chapter also consists of data analysis from experiments and RULA results. The comparison on the effectiveness of current and proposed working posture and the effects on worker‘s productivity also will be briefly explained.
Chapter 5 is the final part of the project, which concludes the Final Year Project. This chapter will conclude the study objectives and suggestion on future work.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
In this chapter, it is containing information which related to this study. It is also covers introduction to ergonomics and awkward posture, methods and tools for posture that been used in previous studies.
2.1 Ergonomics Overview
Christensen (1987) points out that the importance of a "good fit" between humans and tools was probably realized early in the development of the species. Australopithecus Prometheus selected pebble tools and made scoops from antelope bones in a clear display of selecting/creating objects to make tasks easier to accomplish. The relationship between the factors of human occupational injuries and engineering of work tools is found to have been documented long time ago. It proves that work in the field of ergonomics had been started centuries ago. Bernardino Ramazinni (1633-1714) wrote about work-related complaints (that he saw in his medical practice) in the 1713 supplement to his 1700 publication, ―De Morbis Artificum (Diseases of Workers)‖.
(1)
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter explains the background of the study which consist the study background, problem statements, objectives, scope and limitation of project.
1.1 Background of study
The study is about production efficiency enhancement using improved working posture of material handling activity in a furniture industry. The study is conducted to identify posture that caused tiredness and back pain to operators while performing their tasks through survey and observation. Then, from the data collected, the analysis will be done to determine the problems on material handling activity. The improvement proposed by
using the engineering control to reduce the injuries risk faced by HASRO‘s workers.
1.1.1 The significant of project
The important of this project are:
(a) To know whether the current working posture is safe or not. (b) To identify the factors that causing the tiredness and back pain.
(c) To take an action to solve the problem with the objectives to improve the productivity.
(2)
1.1.2 Company background
Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. which is s located at Lot 12, Jalan PBR 28, Phase 4C, Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, 75250 Melaka. Hasro was established in 1978 as an enterprising cottage industry that sought to create unique and quality furniture for a discerning market. The founder, Mr. Hashim Mohamad is the successor of a family with long established wood carpentry tradition and was responsible in moulding the commercial entity out of his lifelong passion for woodworking and craftsmanship. Through its growth, Hasro has made a name for itself in being totally committed to
achieving the highest standards of furniture making. Today, Hasro‘s product has
successfully gained international market appeal with demands growing beyond Malaysian shores.
1.2 Problem statement
Nowadays, in Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd, the workers need to standing for a long period in order to perform their tasks. This situation leads to tiredness and back pain. As we know, when a work is performed in awkward postures or with excessive effort, fatigue and discomfort may be the result ( Feletto. M, Lopes.J, 1999). Under these conditions muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels can be damaged. The injuries that the workers faced are known as musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. MSDs can increase the cost of doing business both directly and indirectly. Direct costs may
include medical services and higher workers‘ compensation premiums. Indirect costs
from increased employee turnover, absenteeism, and retraining may also occur. Productivity, product quality, and employee morale may also suffer. Ultimately, an ergonomics approach is used to the design of an industrial workstation to achieve an
appropriate balance between worker‘s capabilities and work requirements to optimize
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mental well-being, job satisfaction and safety (Fulter el al, 2000 ). The better technique will be recommended as a solution to overcome these problems.
1.3 Objectives
(a) To study the present material handling and investigate the awkward postures that caused tiredness and back pain to operators while performing their tasks.
(b) To analyze the workers‘ working posture and lifting limits on material handling activities using checklist and RULA, then the finding will be evaluate using experimental method.
(c) To propose a new and efficient technique of materials handling for Hasro‘s workers
1.4 Scope and Limitation
This project mainly aims to establish a production efficiency enhancement using improved working posture of material handling activity in furniture industry, Hasro Furniture Gallery (M) Sdn. Bhd. Introduction of the selected manufacturing factory, relationships between material handling activities and occupational health, evolution of ergonomic, various tools that can be use, proper posture, MSDs and the tools used are stated briefly. Here, the methods used are observation and experimental. While the tools use to evaluate the material handling activity is RULA. This project will analyze, revise, and recommend a new technique as solution to improve present working posture of material handling activity. Here, clearly stated that this project will specifically focus more on awkward postures of material handling and repetitive motions and also will not cover the study on the long terms effects of improved working posture of material
(4)
1.5 Potential Benefits of Study
The potential benefits from this study can be given to the following parties:
(a) Factory employer
This study may help the factory employer to improve the working environment for the workers, which also decrease the possibility of workers absent due to
occupational health problems, and this will improve the workers‘ productivity.
(b) Factory workers
This study may help workers more alert about the risk of having occupational
health problems. Besides that, workers‘ discomfort will be reduced if the proposed
solution is implemented.
(c) Student
The study helps student gain knowledge on ergonomic based on real situation in working area. The student also had learned to use the analytical tools such as RULA tool to implement in real life. Through the study, student can improve her knowledge on ergonomic and knowledge on improve and solve the MSDs problem. From the knowledge gained, it is very useful for the student be able to use it on working life.
(5)
This report consists of introduction, theory, activities performed, recommendation and modification of material handling method, and reanalyze the results after doing improvements. The report consists of five chapters and each chapter is described as below:
Chapter 1, the background study of the project, a brief introduction of the selected manufacturing factory, problem statement, objectives of the project, scope of study, potential benefits of study and the report structure is included as well.
Chapter 2 consists of the literature review about the theoretical concept of ergonomics and the connection with material handling. Background study on the evolution of ergonomics science is shown. The relationship between material handling activities and occupational health and types of safe working postures also the illness and injuries involved in material handling are stated. Tools for safe working evaluation are also included. Reviews are done on material handling which are suitable to be used for this project.
Chapter 3 is provides the information and method used in order to achieve the objectives of the project. Briefly description about the procedures and method such as determination
of workers‘ responses regarding the discomfort in the manufacturing factory, observation
tools and methods and solutions to improve the current material handling methods.
Chapters 4 are described details of the case studies that workers associated with manual materials handling (MMH) activities. This chapter also consists of data analysis from experiments and RULA results. The comparison on the effectiveness of current and proposed working posture and the effects on worker‘s productivity also will be briefly explained.
Chapter 5 is the final part of the project, which concludes the Final Year Project. This chapter will conclude the study objectives and suggestion on future work.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
In this chapter, it is containing information which related to this study. It is also covers introduction to ergonomics and awkward posture, methods and tools for posture that been used in previous studies.
2.1 Ergonomics Overview
Christensen (1987) points out that the importance of a "good fit" between humans and tools was probably realized early in the development of the species. Australopithecus Prometheus selected pebble tools and made scoops from antelope bones in a clear display of selecting/creating objects to make tasks easier to accomplish. The relationship between the factors of human occupational injuries and engineering of work tools is found to have been documented long time ago. It proves that work in the field of ergonomics had been started centuries ago. Bernardino Ramazinni (1633-1714) wrote about work-related complaints (that he saw in his medical practice) in the 1713 supplement to his 1700
publication, ―De Morbis Artificum (Diseases of Workers)‖.
The term ergonomics however, came up in 1857 in a philosophical writings of Wojciech Jastrzebowski, titled as "based upon the truths drawn from the Science of Nature". In 19th century, Fredric Winslow Taylor introduced 'Scientific Management' proposing ways to improve productivity in factories. At Bethlehem Steel, Taylor dramatically