Linking the Use of Ergonomics Methods to Workplace Social Sustainability: The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System and Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method

Abstract

This article concretizes the continuous development of social sustainability in organizations based on ergonomics methods and tools, among others. Numerous scientific studies have already revealed many reasons for justifying balanced efforts towards organizational sustainability, including its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Because the social dimension is recognized as the weakest and is often neglected, it is placed at the forefront of the present research. The link between social sustainability in the workplace and the ergonomics concept is provided through 17 underlying indicators of the workplace sustainability framework proposed in a previous study. The OWAS and REBA ergonomic risk assessment methods were used in a toolmaking company to study how results can be used directly or indirectly to determine the size or value of indicators used in the sustainability framework. The research finds that direct use of the OWAS and REBA results is not possible, but it is certain that the implementation of proposals in response to identified levels of risk affects up to four out of five factors that constitute the sustainability framework. The use of OWAS and REBA is not suitable to address environmental concerns. This study encourages companies to use ergonomic methods and tools to develop social sustainability in the workplace. It is often necessary to decide between the pen-and-paper approach and an advanced one using artificial intelligence (e.g., supported by the ErgoIA software tool). Not only the method but also the technique chosen affects the degree of sustainability achieved. Finally, relevant aspects of knowledge exploitation in the field of ergonomic education for social sustainability were summarized.

Ergonomic Factors Which Affect the Work Productivity of Clove Flower Harvesters

“…External Factor X5 (work environment) was influenced by X51 (air temperature), X52 (humidity), and X53 (wind speed) at -0.022, 0.413, and 0.397. Study results by [41], [42], [43] have established a correlation between workplace ergonomics (including temperature, furniture arrangement, facilities, lighting, noise, and equipment) and staff performance. External Factor X6 (time conditions) is determined by X61 (length of work) at 0.344 (the smallest), X62 (rest duration) at 0.362, and X63 (stolen rest length) at 0.399 (the largest).…”

Ergonomic Improvement to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDS) in a Furniture Production Workshop

“…There is a study that allows estimating joint angles and performing ergonomic assessments under an open-source language called OpenPose, this applies a RULA approach, which turns out to be a technology that allows in a semi-automatic way the identification and assessment of risks in a real work environment [13]. Likewise, [23] detailed that new technologies are becoming more and more relevant as they allow a faster, friendlier, and more reliable application, which are focused on the objectives of sustainable development.…”

A Proposed Approach to Monitor and Control Sustainable Development Strategy Implementation

“…An example of a good practice is the climate ergonomics approach [40], which entails ergonomics or human factors principles, approaches and tools to set recommendations for the development of SD-focused green goods, services, and practices in organizations. Furthermore, ergonomics, being a multidisciplinary science, has enormous potential to positively affect SD, mainly because of the improvements in the human side of the enterprises [41], in occupational risk management [42], and consequently, in the workplace's social sustainability [40][41][42][43][44][45].…”