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Ergonomic evaluation methods are very important because they allow us to identify and
assess the risk factors present in the workplace and based on the results obtained plan
an improvement. To evaluate the ergonomic risks to which the workers of the "El Gaby
Automatic Transmission Workshop" are exposed, we mainly use two methods of
ergonomic evaluation, one of them is the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and
the other is the RULA method ( Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), since these allow us to
evaluate the worker's posture easily, quickly and completely. The REBA method
evaluates the whole body in a general way and the RULA method evaluates the whole
body, but focuses more on the upper part of the body. 5 workers were evaluated doing
their respective tasks, all came out with different risk factors, depending on the number
of the factor should be taken necessary measures to avoid health problems in the
workers. Below are the photos of the positions that were evaluated with the results in
each of the ergonomic evaluation methods.
• RULA: For the evaluation of the risk the method is considered the position
adopted, the duration and frequency of this and the forces exerted when it is
maintained. Divides the body into two groups, Group A that includes the upper
limbs (arms, forearms and wrists) and Group B, which includes the legs, trunk
and neck. Using the tables associated with the method, a score is assigned to
each body area (legs, wrists, arms, trunk ...) for, depending on these scores,
assign global values to each of groups A and B.
In total we find 3 activities in which we consider that there is some kind of risk for the
people who perform them, either by the uncomfortable postures, loads or number of
repetitions with which they perform the task. Next, we will show the description and
ergonomic evaluation carried out with the aforementioned methods to see if in truth the
activity that is developed is risky for the worker.
In this first activity, the mechanic reviews the state in which the car is located. Due to the
above, you have to open the trunk of the car and introduce half of the trunk of the body
to be able to carry out the inspection tasks. It was decided to evaluate this activity
because when working with the inclined trunk and occasionally in the area of the hood
of the vehicle, it is common to adopt inappropriate postures of the upper extremities,
having to carry out precise operations in the area of the engine without having space for
the hands.
Photographic evidence
Observation
After ergonomically evaluating the operator performing his activity, we find through the
RULA and REBA method that it is necessary to make changes in the work area, since
the worker is exposed to risk conditions derived from poor posture. As can be seen in
the photograph, the operator has to flex the trunk of the body approximately 50.59 °,
which can produce problems in the neck and / or low back pain in the future. It is
necessary to adapt the work area to the operator, since he is adopting uncomfortable
postures or a lot of load for the body.
The present activity consists of disassembling the automatic transmission of the car, for
that, the mechanic has to go down to the pit to begin with the dismantling of the
transmission. Being below the car, the mechanic performs activities that are purely
torque, that is, he has to loosen at least 25 nuts which hold the transmission and fix it to
the car. Like the previous task, it was decided to evaluate it because in the development
of this activity some ergonomic principles are violated, standing out among them:
• No task should require workers to adopt forced postures, such as having arms
outstretched all the time.
• Avoid placing objects or controls that are used often over the shoulders.
Photographic evidence
Observation
With the help of the ergonomic evaluation carried out, it was detected that in the
development of the present task there are intrinsic ergonomic risks that in the future can
cause health problems for the worker. Firstly, it was validated that the realization of
loosening the nuts that is carried out above the shoulders is truly risky, in addition, the
task requires the worker wrist turns repeatedly. The above can trigger musculoskeletal
conditions or diseases. Highlighting among them:
• Epicondylitis
Photographic evidence
Observation of activity 3
After carrying out the ergonomic evaluation of the worker while performing the task of
disarming the automatic transmission, it was concluded that it is necessary to implement
changes both in the method of work and in the area, since the worker remains standing
much time and has not where to lean. On the other hand, the task in general is risky for
the worker, since in order to perform it, it is necessary for the worker to adopt
inappropriate postures, such as flexing the neck 72.31 °. Both methods dictate that it is
necessary to start generating measures to change the way things are being done, since
the activity presents a high ergonomic risk for the worker, so if you want to avoid:
• Frozen shoulder
• Torticollis