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Published in:
2019 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Ergonomics Introduction and Management of Risk to Biomechanical Overload in a Mechanical Engineering Factory Production Chain Saws and Trimmers
Author : Marco Placci
Published in: Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018)
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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Abstract
The biomechanical overload risk, especially in the upper limbs and the spine, resulting in Italy one of the most significant security issues for manufacturing companies due to possible occupational diseases to which it may be related.
Already for several years the most careful companies consider necessary proper management of this risk which involves all corporate entities and which, following an adequate risk assessment, addresses the main variables that determine a concrete exposure by the employees. As the risk is multifactorial, only with the involvement of all the factory entities, a gradual reduction in exposure conditions is possible.
The management process started in 2014 by EMAK SPA, the leading manufacturer of industrial tools for greening and gardening, initially saw the involvement of the Factory Production and Process Engineering in a thorough training and operational process.
This produced in 2015 a specific procedure defined “of policy and guidelines” for the design of workstations with ergonomic features, suitable for the entire working population, even in view of its gradual aging.
In the following years, training was given to workers on specific biomechanical overload risk that included behavioral routes to avoid extreme exposure conditions.
In 2016, the Company’s Management strongly wanted department of industrial design to be part of the project, by also proposing changes in the design of the models sold, that would improve the working conditions of the assembly lines.
Finally, in 2017, the involvement of the Medical Worker was concretized, which together with the company’s workgroup identifies the critical conditions still present in every position of the company to include not only workers with normal characteristics, but above all, workers with reduced capacity working or advanced age.
Over the years, EMAK’s “Ergonomics Project” has allowed to improve workplaces and reintroduce about 50% of workers with restrictions.