This talk will present a case study that exposes a mechanism by which efficiency improvement approaches like “lean production” can increase MSD risk. “Lean” has been widely associated with increases in work related ill health, including musculoskeletal disorders. A brief review of the history of the “lean” concept and its application through a case study of “waste removal” be presented.
A case study of a car dismantling factory that used video analysis synchronized with instrumented posture measurements to conduct a task-based exposure analysis will be shared. Simulating a “waste removal” effort reveals increases in biomechanical demands and decreases in recovery time had and has implications for an increase in MSD risk. Solution pathways will be discussed.
About the presenter
Current research, conducted at the Human Factors Engineering Lab, focuses on the design of work systems that are both effective and sustainable from human and technical perspectives. Areas of study include:
- Human Factors and Corporate Strategy
- Industrial System Design Processes
- Organisational Design and Change Management
- Simulation and Virtual Performance Modelling
- Performance and Exposure Measurement
Registration
Registration is now closed. For assistance, contact Betina Butler (bbutler@uwaterloo.ca).
Disclaimer: The
Centre
receives
funding
through
a
grant
provided
by
the
Ontario
Ministry
of
Labour.
The
views
expressed
are
those
of
the
presenters and
do
not
necessarily
reflect those
of
the
Centre
nor
of
the
Province.