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ISSN 2063-5346
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DESIGN OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS TO REDUCE ERGONOMIC RISK OF THE MANUAL COFFEE BEAN MIXING PROCESS

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Engr. MARICEL M. LACBAY
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si7.538

Abstract

Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that is focused on providing fit and suitable design of the human and work environment based on the individual’s qualities and attributes. Its major objective is that man-made tools, machines, equipment, devices, and environment should enhance and upgrade, explicitly and implicitly, the welfare, safety and well-being, and performance of an individual or group of people. Poor workplace or design leads to fatigued, frustrated and hurting workers. This rarely leads to the most productive worker. More likely, it leads to a painful and costly injury, lower productivity and poor product quality. This study aimed to reduce and/or eliminate the ergonomic risk factors present in mixing coffee beans at Kape at Kakao ng Batangas that leads to low productivity and unmet demands of customers. The working conditions at Kape at Kakao ng Batangas poses safety and health issues which affects the performance of the workers. According to the owner, 4/6 workers have been recorded of absenteeism per month due to low back pain. They have also recorded 2 complaints on wrist pains and 3 on upper extremities such as shoulder and neck pains. The discomfort workers are experiencing leads to producing only 20 sacks of mixed coffee beans weighing 65 kg each per week. This resulted to 15-20 sacks unmet demand of customers of Kape at Kakao ng Batangas which is considered as loss profit of the company. The result showed that majority of the tasks performed by the workers are not ergonomically designed thus, they experienced discomfort and pain during and after the working hours. Discomfort and pain could lead to injury and they may suffer to MSDs. The REBA presented that majority of workers were under high risk levels. The RULA showed that majority of the workers were under high risk levels also and required immediate change. It was concluded that the process has lack of ergonomics awareness. Majority of the workers were performing the tasks with awkward postures. Using RAMP, the researchers were able to identify and assess physical ergonomics risk factors in manual lifting, holding, pulling or pushing loads. Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMDQ) was also used to determine the body parts that experience pain and discomfort due to awkward postures made during the tasks. After the evaluation, engineering controls through an ergonomically designed coffee bean mixing machine was proposed to address the risk factors associated in the current mixing process and will help improve the workers’ productivity.

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