Venkateshwara enterprises audit

WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS AUDIT Samrudhii Palshetkar

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VENKATESHWARA ENTERPRISES AUDIT

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About Understanding the workstation Process Layout- before and after (AutoCAD) Identifying the problems and ergonomic solutions 3-d model with corrected measurements conclusion

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Ergonomics is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting effective interaction among people, technology and the environment in which both must operate and since a working individual spends most of his day at his workstation, it is very important that it is ergonomically designed taking into account the kind of work that is to be done. The workstation should take into account the various body somatotypes in India.

Anthropometry is the subject that deals with the measurement of the human external body dimensions in static and dynamic conditions. Designs made without taking anthropometry into account according to its intended users can result in various medical problems and operational uneasiness.

For my audit I have used percentile value data taken a specific population group (Indian body type) from the book, Indian Anthropometric dimensions for ergonomic design practices. Percentiles are the statistical value of a distribution of variables transferred into a hundred scale. The population is divided into 100 percentage categories in respect to various specific body types of measurements .i.e. 95 th percentile is the taller than average population, 5 th percentiles is the shorter population and 50 th is the average. These percentiles are later classified into male, female and combined.


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UNDERSTANDING THE WORKSTATION-Venkateshwara Enterprises

To re-design a workstation ergonomically we need to first understand the place ,the intended users, the current working scenario, the space, articles to be used when performing the intended task ,etc.

The workstation Venkateshwara enterprise is a shop which provides for Xerox, scanning, binding, printing and lamination works. Large scale printing work like yearly diaries is also done here. The shops work timing is from 7.30

am to 10.30 pm. They take just one break for lunch for half an hour every day.

The shop has approximately three people working at a time here which include two men and one woman; hence I will be taking the percentile data of 50th percentile combined. The maximum rush at this shop is in the evening

when they cater to almost 8-10 people at a time. They have an adjacent room for storage of extra stationary. The shop also has CCTV camera’s with which the owners keeps a check.

The shop has four printers, one binding machine, one lamination machine and one computer desk with computer and a small printer for removing printouts from your pen drive.

The current physical complains for the workers are leg pain, back ache and pain in the arms. My goal is to try and increase efficiency of the workstation while maintaining the various ergonomic measurements and making it a more comfortable workspace.


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THE PROCESS

• Space audit- study the space after sitting there for a day and understanding what kinds of tasks are performed, how is the body language of the costumers, the ergonomic problems they are facing without realising. Analyze the workstation, equipment and environment relative to the different tasks the employee must perform. Observe them working for a while to get an idea of their work habits.

• Clicking around 300 photographs of the space with the problems and taking down measurements of everything in the space.

• Creating a layout in 2D and 3D in AUTOCAD and thoroughly understanding the problems.

• Changing the layout to increase efficiency and comfort. • Addressing each of the minute problems and adjusting the

measurements according to the percentile data. Also, understanding which data fits into which scenario.

• Re creating the new layout which the new measurements in AUTOCAD and re checking the space and the solutions.

• Sizing down the measurements to 1:10 ratio and making a 3D model using sun board

INITIAL LAYOUT


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NEW LAYOUT


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IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS AND PROVIDING ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS

PROBLEM 1: Computer desk is coming in the way because costumers are standing behind it and the reach for money exchange and handing out paper is strained. This strain can result in chronic back pain, shoulder pains, neck pains and arm pains. If the strain is sudden or prolonged to the inter-vertebral discs, the result will be a painful back condition called the 'slipped disc'. The computer desk placement is occupying much of the free movement space. It is also blocking half of table 1 desk space.

PROBLEM MEASUREMENT OF PROBLEM

SOLUTION MEASUREMENT OF SOLUTION

Computer desk is coming in the way because costumers are standing behind it and the reach for money exchange is strained.

The space behind the computer desk is getting wasted.

Move the desk at the back behind the pillar, which gives user privacy and doesn’t come in the

way of the workers.

PROBLEM 2: The space behind the computer desk is getting wasted.


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SOLUTION: Move the desk at the back behind the column, which gives user privacy and doesn’t come in the way of the workers and allows for more space for movement. The space behind the computer can also be well utilized. The money and paper transactions can be made without straining the arm or body.

PROBLEM 3: The current entrance of 14 inches is ergonomically too small.


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SOLUTION: According to the 50th percentile combined average the maximum body breadth relaxed is 15.94 inches. Therefore, my new entrance is 19.68 inches allow for not on the individual to walk in comfortably but also with some amount of hand load/luggage. This will also reduce the strain on the back , neck and shoulder and reduce the chances of a long term problem.

To do this, I have reduced the size of table 1 from (Length: 75” and




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Breadth : 14”) to ( Length: 70” Breadth: 14”).

PROBLEM 4: The height of the tables is ergonomically too low. The current height of table 1 is 34 inches and table 2 is 36 inches. This does not allow the elbow to be at 90 degrees with the table which causes an awkward bend in the spine while working and strain the neck and back.

The entrance ergonomically is too small.

Current entrance: 14”

Current table no.1: Length: 75”

Breadth : 14”

Reduce the table no.1

50th % Max body breadth-relaxed-combined:

New Entrance: 19.68”

New table no.1:

Length: 70”

Breadth: 14”


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SOLUTION: The new increased height of the tables is 40.23 inches which is the 50th percentile elbow height for combined. This will allow for easy and comfortable work top.

PROBLEM 5: According to ergonomics the height of the table is also set according to the type of task at hand. The binding machine requires a downward force and can be classified under heavy work and hence requires a lower height.


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SOLUTION: I have divided one fourth of table 2 for the binding machine. The breath of the binding table is 16 inches. Taking into account the force factor I have reduced the height of the table to 50th percentile combined knuckle height to 27.4 inches. The table is big enough to fit the binder machine (10 inches) and leave a space of 6 inches around it.



Heights of tables are too low ergonomically

Increase height

50th% elbow-combined:

New height: 40.23”

Table no.1

Current height: 34”

Table no.2

Current height: 36”


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PROBLEM 6: The printing, scanning , binding and laminations work requires you to stand and do the work. They stand more than 10 hours a day without too many breaks which can result in adverse health effects on the employees such as

a. Localised fatigue that can cause pain and discomfort to the

Muscles of the back, neck and shoulders; and the joints of the

knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and elbows.

b. General fatigue that results in reduced physical ability to

Perform a task. It also can reduce the concentration level of

Employees.

c. Overexertion to the musculoskeletal system.

d. Injuries to the employee such as slipped disc, tendonitis,

Sprained back.

SOLUTION: Provide a footrest for each of three employees which is enough for one foot and it should be lightweight so that it can be moved around easily. This way at least one leg is resting at all times. The footrest will also help in elevating the foot which puts the arch (called lordosis) back in the low back, combat fatigue and help in recovery. The new foot rest is (Height: 4”; Width: 10”; Length: 7” ).


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Suggested footwear would be:

• Wear shoes that do not change the shape of your foot. • Choose shoes that provide a firm grip for the heel. If the back of the

shoe is too wide or too soft, the foot will slip causing instability and soreness.

• Wear shoes that allow freedom to move your toes. Pain and fatigue result if shoes are too narrow or too shallow.

• Ensure that shoes have arch supports. Lack of arch support causes flattening of the feet.

• Tighten the lace instep of your footwear firmly. This helps prevent the foot from slipping inside the shoes or boots.

• Consider using shock-absorbing cushioned insoles.

PROBLEM 7: Computer desk height is too high at a height of 29 inches according to ergonomics which will make you use it with an improper posture.


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SOLUTION: Adjust the height of the work surface and/or the height of the chair so that the work surface allows your elbows to be bent at 90 degrees, forearms parallel with the floor, wrist straight, shoulders relaxed. The new desk height is 22.7 inches which is the 50th percentile combined tibitial point which a raised knee.

The computer screen is placed 18-20 inches away from the person for an optimum viewing distance. The new location of the computer also prevents glare or shadows which can cause eye fatigue.

The mouse should have a mousepad.


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Computer desk height

Desk Height :29”

Desk length: 28”

Desk breadth: 16”

Reduce height

50th% Thigh clearance height at tibitial point with a raised knee-combined:

New height: 22.71”

PROBLEM 8: The current location of the printer is too high and a person needs to keep getting up from the chair to check on their prints which can cause back aches, shoulder catches and neck pain.

SOLUTION: The new location of the desk allows for us to increase the size of the current desk to 36inches which gives us enough of place to keep the printer on the desk itself which allows us to see the prints easily and we don’t have to move to collect the prints.


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PROBLEM 9: The current computer chair doesn’t work as it doesn’t change height anymore or rotate or move around as its old and the parts have broken.

SOLUTION: Get a new declinable chair with wheels to move around. The chair height should be set such that your knees should be bent at a comfortable angle and greater than 90degrees flexion. If this places an uncomfortable strain on the leg muscles, or if the feet do not reach the floor, then a footrest should be used.


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PROBLEM 10: Printer 1is currently blocking the desk and reducing the space for standing for three people at a time.

It is also taking up the storage space in the desk which could be used to keep printed diaries and binding materials like springs etc.

The diaries and extra papers which are printer are currently stacked on top of printer 3.

SOLUTIONS: Move the printers closer as too much space is getting wasted between them and only 10 inches space is required for the printer flap to open and close. This will create space not only for movement of three individuals but also for storage of extra papers and binding material.

There is more space created right next to the binder which can be used to stack papers and diaries.


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PROBLEM 11: There is no seating place when they are resting or not attending a costumer. Currently they lean on one of the printers and stand in an awkward positions.

Performing the same or similar motions repeatedly can result in trauma to the joints and surrounding tissues. Without time for rest and recovery, repetition can lead to injury.

SOLUTION: Provide a small stool to sit on which can be easily moved around.The height of the stool is the 50th percentile combined popliteal height which is 16.73 inches. The length is buttock to popliteal length,normal sitting,combined 17.91 inches. The breadth of the stool is mid thigh to thigh relaxed external breadth is 14.52 inches.


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Breaks, appropriately structured, can allow an employee to recover from job stressors.Stretches and a few light exercises are advised during breaks as lot of repetitive movement during work is performed in this case.

PROBLEM 12: The extra stationary (stapler, pen, paper, rubber bands, pins) is kept on top of the printer itself while printing in a cluster or kept on the floor itself.

SOLUTION: Create a shelf in between each printer to keep stationary. The height of the shelf is 12 inches above the printer and length is 24 inches, and the breadth is 9 inches which is the space between the printers.


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PROBLEM 13: The money box is currently out of reach for both the employees on table one and two .The money box is also too high at 4 feet from the ground which is causing them to keep the money in plastic containers on printer 4.

SOLUTION: The money box is shifted from above printer 4 to the space created near the column in between table one and two. This will make the money exchange at equidistance from both the tables. The height is also reduced to 30.23 inches from the ground to avoid injury. The length of the new box is 9 inches the breadth is 13 inches and the depth is 10 inches.


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3D MODEL OF THE CORRECTED WORKSTATION


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CONCLUSION

This workplace is now more of an ergonomically designed workplace which will increase the comfort or the employees while increasing efficiency. This way they will be better protected in the future from long term ergonomic injuries.

While ergonomic improvements to the work environment are primarily used to create a safer and more healthful environment, the owner will benefit in the long term by:

• Preventing injuries in the workspace. • Lesser injuries will mean lesser holidays taken by the employees. • Since the layout is better now, it will allow them to work with greater

efficiency. • The employees will be less fatigued at the end of the day. • They can attend more costumers now since the transactions with the

money will be easier after placing the cash box in the middle. • Work environment will improve. • Increased work quality.

Venkateshwara enterprises audit

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