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Using Ergonomic Risk Assessment Methods for Designing Inclusive Work Practices: A Case Study
Author(s) -
Hussain Amjad,
Case Keith,
Marshall Russell,
Summerskill Steve
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing and service industries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1520-6564
pISSN - 1090-8471
DOI - 10.1002/hfm.20650
Subject(s) - work (physics) , task (project management) , workforce , human factors and ergonomics , job design , process (computing) , risk analysis (engineering) , knowledge management , computer science , process management , engineering , psychology , job performance , poison control , business , job satisfaction , systems engineering , social psychology , medicine , mechanical engineering , environmental health , economics , economic growth , operating system
In common with many industries, manufacturing faces the challenge of effective management of a diverse workforce. Humans differ greatly, but traditional manufacturing work practices do not take into account human variability issues during the work design process. Variations in individual and organizational work performance are due to many individual factors, such as age, gender, level of skill, experience, and background bring performance inconsistencies. This research investigates the effects of individual skill on work performance in general and workplace safety and human well‐being in particular. A research framework is proposed for highlighting major differences in work‐performing strategies, their potential impact on work performance, and how these findings can be used for designing more inclusive work practices. A case study has been presented in which ergonomics risk assessment methods have been used to validate the usefulness of this framework. It is also concluded that skill has a strong relationship with the level of risk attached to various task‐performing strategies.