Scientific Approaches For The Industrial Workstations Ergonomic Design: A Review

Abstract

Over the last years ergonomic problems have received growing attention due to their effects on industrial plants efficiency and productivity. Many theories, principles, methods and data relevant to the workstation design have been generated through ergonomics research. However, no general frameworks have been suggested, yet. The time seems to be right for presenting a review paper on the scientific studies whose aim is to achieve the ergonomic design of industrial workstations. To this end, it is the intent of the authors to provide the readers with an accurate overview on the main scientific approaches proposed (during the last two decades) by researchers and scientists working in this specific area. In particular, two main scientific approaches have been identified. The first approach is based on the direct analysis of the real workstations, while the second one uses computerized models to design workstations ergonomically. Each scientific approach will be presented through a detailed description of the research works it involves. The initial search identifies a huge number of articles which were reduced to about 60 studies based on content and quality. Note that the research works description represents the core part of this literature review.

Ergonomic evaluation on the manufacturing shop floor: A review of hardware and software technologies

“…Other tools include: the RULA (McAtamney and Nigel Corlett, 1993), Job Risk Classification Model (Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012), the Ovako Working posture Assessment System (OWAS) (Bartnicka, 2015), PATH (Posture, Activities, Tools, and Handling) (Sengupta Dasgupta et al, 2014), the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) (Chiasson et al, 2012;Löfqvist et al, 2015;Mork and Choi, 2015;Shah et al, 2016), the NIOSH Equation for lifting (Navid Arjmand et al, 2015;Potvin, 2014;Waters et al, 1998), and the Manual handling assessment chart (MAC) tool (Hernan and Paola, 2013;Pinder, 2002). Other tools include the electrogoniometry, the Burandt-Schultetus analysis for lifting tasks and the Garg's Analysis for assessing Energy Expenditure, the Lumber Motion Monitor (LMM), the 3D Static Prediction Program (3DSSPP), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH TLVs), the Snook's Psychophysical Table (Berlin and Kajaks, 2010;Bossomaier et al, 2010;Dai and Ning, 2013;Douphrate and Kolstrup, 2013;Erdinç and Yeow, 2011;Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012;NIOSH, 2007;Plantard et al, 2015;Zarzar, 2006).…”

“…The CAD development made the aerospace and automobile manufacturers see the need to convert their design processes into a virtual environment (Blanchonette, 2010). Boeman Mannequin (Blanchonette, 2010; is the first human ergonomic modelling tool ever developed, followed by the computerized biomechanical man model called the Combiman (Blanchonette, 2010;Bossomaier et al, 2010;. Next is the cybernetic man model known as the Cyberman (Blanchonette, 2010;.…”

“…1 The Boeman Mannequin (Blanchonette, 2010) Fig. 2 The Cybernetic Man-Model (Blanchonette, 2010) The various ergonomic evaluation tools on which modern digital human models can be created include MannequinPro (Blanchonette, 2010;, Jack (also known as Tempus) (Berlin and Kajaks, 2010;Blanchonette, 2010;Bossomaier et al, 2010;Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012;Thorvald et al, 2012), Ramsis (Blanchonette, 2010;Bossomaier et al, 2010;Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012;Thorvald et al, 2012), Safework (Berlin and Kajaks, 2010;Blanchonette, 2010;Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012;, Sammie (Blanchonette, 2010;Thorvald et al, 2012),…”

A Smart Algorithm for Personalizing the Workstation in the Assembly Process

“…Workplace design and ergonomics can greatly influence assembly efficiency and increase worker productivity, ensure worker safety, physical and mental well-being and job satisfaction during manual assembly operations [6,16,18]. The use of computer-aided techniques, in particular the use of Digital Human Modelling (DHM), is very useful for overcoming some of the difficulties encountered in workplace design [19][20][21]. It facilitates a complete data-based ergonomic analysis and provides a strong scientific validity of the solutions proposed or implemented [1].…”

Activity Recognition for Ergonomics Assessment of Industrial Tasks With Automatic Feature Selection

“…Currently, ergonomics is evaluated with standard pen-andpaper worksheets filled by experts observing the workers doing their job [4]. Digital human modeling software provide automatic filling of these ergonomic worksheets [5], but only based on a digital simulation of the activity to evaluate. These software are intended for workstation design: they do not work Manuscript received: September, 10, 2018; Revised December, 10, 2018; Accepted January, 08, 2019.…”