Analysis of the Reduction of Ergonomic Risks through the Implementation of an Automatic Tape Packaging Machine

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 17;19(22):15193. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215193.

Abstract

Many industrial sectors still lack automation resources to optimize their production processes, aiming to make manufacturing leaner and offer better working conditions to operators. Without these improvements, workers can suffer physical and even psychological damage from the ergonomic risks of the activities performed. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present the ergonomic evaluation of packaging tapes workstation before and after the implementation of an automatic packaging machine, called Guzzetti. In the Guzzetti context, the paper shows the implementation of an electrical system based on controlling a mechanical device powered by servomotors and controlled by a PLC is necessary. For ergonomic evaluation, the paper presents the application of three methods: Suzanne Rodger, Strain Index, called Moore and Garg and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment). With the results collection, was possible to obtain improvements in ergonomic risks that changed from the intermediate level to low level in all methods.

Keywords: Moore and Garg; REBA; Suzanne Rodgers; WMSD; ergonomic risks; industrial automation.

MeSH terms

  • Ergonomics* / methods
  • Humans
  • Product Packaging*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.