Macroergonomics intervention programs: Recommendations for their design and implementation

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold: 1) to consider the intervention programs that emerged before ergonomic research, and 2) to develop a methodology for design and implementation of a macroergonomics intervention program in a manufacturing organization. A design that has been used is shown, which allows subsequent specialists' actions to achieve the expected results and avoid mistakes during implementation. A case study in the shoe industry is used to validate the procedure and illustrate the results, which include improvement in the quality of work processes (from 6.14% to 1.54% defects) and in quality of work life (from 58.03% to 93.33%). The conclusions highlight the need to carry out intervention programs relating to both micro and macro levels to achieve optimization of work systems. The recent increase in research activity in this area and the positive results encourage the future development of such macroergonomics intervention programs. C

ErgoVSM: A Tool for Integrating Value Stream Mapping and Ergonomics in Manufacturing

“…Psychosocial factors of importance to health and well‐being should also be included in the tool (cf. Mejías Herrera & Huaccho Huatuco, ). In addition, knowledge is needed on contextual factors affecting the implementation of ErgoVSM, for example, to what degree the results depend on the individual researcher and/or lean coach.…”

The Discipline of Ergonomics in Cuba within the Occupational Health Framework: Background and Trends

“…Mejias and Huaccho [34] developed a methodology for designing and implementing a macro-ergonomics intervention program in a Cuban factory. These authors argued the need for carrying out intervention programs related to both micro and macro levels so as to optimize work systems, encouraging the future development of such macro-ergonomics intervention programs.…”