Ergonomic evaluation of workers at a planned furniture factory in the South of Espirito Santo, Brazil
Name: FÁBIO LACERDA JUCÁ
Publication date: 16/02/2018
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| NILTON CESAR FIEDLER | Co-advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| NILTON CESAR FIEDLER | Internal Examiner * |
Summary: The furniture sector is responsible for a large number of leave caused by diseases and accidents at work. The objective of this research was to carry out an ergonomic evaluation of the furniture fabrication planned in the southern state of Espírito Santo, aiming to improve workers' health, well-being, safety, comfort and productivity. Data collection was carried out in a planned furniture factory located in the municipality of Iúna, in the south of Espírito Santo, between May and August 2017. The population consisted of ten male workers with a mean age of 32 years, all directly involved in the furniture production process. Human factors and working conditions, environmental factors (temperature, luminance and noise), biomechanical analysis and the risks of Repetitive Strain Injuries/Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (RSI/MSDs) were evaluated. The workers received no guidance regarding ergonomics and work safety, and all stated that they did not use personal protective equipment. As for the thermal environment, the average IBUTG value was 19.7, being perfectly tolerated by a worker during the 8 hours of work for this moderate activity, according to Regulatory Norm 15 of the Ministry of Labor. The noise levels found were higher than the recommended limits for an 8-hour working day. The average lighting in the furniture factory was 151.4 lux, considered to be totally deficient for the environment. In biomechanics, in phases 2 (positioning of the MDF plate in the machine) and 3 (removal of the MDF plate from the machine), the values found regarding risks for compression of the vertebral disc L5-S1, were above the limits recommended for the activities of furniture manufacturing. For the furniture manufacturing activity, this was classified as high risk for RSI/MSDs. The value found indicates that if the mode and pace of work is not modified, there is a strong possibility that these workers will acquire RSI/MSDs.
Key-Words: Occupational health, Furniture industry, Working conditions.
