Ergonomic Analysis on the Assembly Line of Home Appliance Company

Benefits provided by ergonomics application in assembly systems design are linked to the reduction in occupational injury risks and to the improvement of physical and psychosocial conditions of the workforce with a drastic reduction in all costs linked to absence, medical insurance, and rehabilitation. Moreover, ergonomics improvements improve quality and operators productivity. An activity analysis was performed in a fan assembly production line. The study was developed in a company located in the Rio de Janeiro State that produces home appliances. The activity analysis consisted of systematic observations and interviews with the assembly line operators to understand the activities that are developed in the assembly of a fan, besides identifying possible limitations and existing occupational hazards in some stage of production. In the fans assembly line it was identified that operators does repetitive up and down movements in order to open a bag to packed the fan, which can cause pain, injury and muscle fatigue. As a solution, it was proposed to install a blower at the workstation that allows the opening of the bag and it prevents the operator performs repetitive movements and reduces activity time. This study shows the need for applications of ergonomic improvements that enable positive changes in the fans assembly line. The study is going to present the company and to expose the solution with future gains in relation to production efficiency and operator health.